Black Taj Mahal | |
---|---|
Location in western Uttar Pradesh, India | |
Location | Agra |
Coordinates | 27°10′29″N78°02′32″E / 27.174799°N 78.042111°E |
Elevation | 20 feet |
Built | never was built |
Architectural style(s) | Mughal architecture |
The Black Taj Mahal ('Black Taj', 'Kaala Taj', also 'the 2nd Taj') is a legendary black marblemausoleum that is said to have been planned to be built across the Yamuna River opposite the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. MughalemperorShah Jahan is said to have desired a mausoleum for himself similar to that of the one he had built in memory of his second wife, Mumtaz Mahal.[1][unreliable source?]
A European traveller by the name of Jean Baptiste Tavernier who visited Agra in 1665 first mentioned the idea of Black Taj in his fanciful writings. The writings of Tavernier mention that Shah Jahan began to build his own tomb on the other side of the river but could not complete it as he was deposed by his own son Aurangzeb. However, many modern archaeologists believe this story to be myth.[2][unreliable source?]
Background[edit]
Ever since the construction of Taj Mahal, the building has been the source of an admiration transcending culture and geography, and so personal and emotional responses have consistently eclipsed scholastic appraisals of the monument.
The belief holds that Shah Jahan planned a mausoleum to be built in black marble across the Yamuna river, with the two structures connected by a bridge. The idea originates from fanciful writings of Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, a European traveller who visited Agra in 1665. It was suggested that Shah Jahan was overthrown by his son Aurangzeb before it could be built. Ruins of blackened marble across the river in Moonlight Garden, Mahtab Bagh, seemed to support this legend.[3][unreliable source?]
Myth[edit]
Many scholars believe the idea of the Black Taj belongs to fiction rather than history. The traces which are identified as the foundations of the 2nd Taj are actually the enclosing wall of a garden founded by Babur. The irregular position of Shah Jahan's cenotaph in comparison to Mumtaz Mahal's, is similar to that at the tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah, and thus should not be of any striking significance. Besides, according to Islamic law, bodies are buried with their faces towards Mecca and legs towards the south, and the husband is placed on the right hand side of his wife. The interpretation that the cenotaph of Shah Jahan was not meant to be placed here appears to be superfluous.[4][unreliable source?]
Modern excavations[edit]
Modern excavations carried out in the 1990s found that they were discolored white stones that had turned black.[5][unreliable source?] As some believe that a more credible theory for the origins of the black mausoleum was demonstrated in 2006 by archaeologists who reconstructed part of the pool in the Mehtab Bagh (Moonlight Garden). A dark reflection of the white mausoleum could clearly be seen, befitting Shah Jahan's obsession with symmetry and the positioning of the pool itself.
See also[edit]
Notes[edit]
- ^'Black Taj Mahal Myth'. Retrieved 11 June 2013.
- ^'Black Taj Mahal Myth'. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
- ^'White Taj Mahal and Black Taj Mahal Story'. Words of Wanderers. Retrieved 12 June 2013.
- ^'The Story of a Second Taj'. Retrieved 11 June 2013.
- ^'Black Taj Mahal Myth'. Retrieved 11 June 2013.
References[edit]
- Bernier, Françoi' Travels in the Moghul Empire A.D. 1657–1668 (Westminster: Archibald Constable & Co.) 1891.[better source needed]
External links[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Taj Mahal. |
A controversial Indian politician from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has called the Taj Mahal a 'blot on Indian culture' built by 'traitors'.
Sangeet Som, a lawmaker in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, was addressing supporters in the city of Meerut.
The remarks, which come weeks after the famous mausoleum was excluded from an Uttar Pradesh tourism booklet, have sparked shock and outrage online.
The phrase 'Taj Mahal' was trending on Twitter on Monday. Redgate sql compare.
'Many people were pained to see that the Taj Mahal was removed from the list of [historical places in the UP tourism booklet],' Mr Som said on Sunday.
'Is this history that the person who built the Taj Mahal imprisoned his father?
'Do you call it a history when the one who built the Taj targeted many Hindus in Uttar Pradesh and Hindustan?
'If this is history, then it is very unfortunate and we will change this history, I guarantee you.'
History About The Taj Mahal
Shah Jahan, the Muslim Mughal emperor who built the Taj Mahal in memory of his favourite wife in 1643, did not imprison his father. He was imprisoned by his son Aurangzeb until his death.
'History cannot be erased'
Mr Som has a history of controversial statements. He has previously been charged with stoking tensions during Hindu-Muslim violence in Muzzafarnagar which killed 62 people in 2013.
Nalin Kohli, a spokesperson for the BJP, distanced the party from Mr Som's comments, though he stopped short of condemning them.
'That is his individual view,' the NDTV news channel quoted Mr Kohli as saying.
'Taj Mahal is an important part of our history. It's part of incredible India.
'What happened in history cannot be erased but at least it can be well-written history.'
On social media many Indians have leapt to the defence of the iconic monument.
Watch hum saath saath hain full movie online hd. 'Anyone who calls the Taj Mahal a 'blot on Indian culture' has very clearly lost the plot', tweeted journalist Vikram Chandra to his 2.8 million Twitter followers.
Ramesh Srivats, who is well-known in India for his wry Twitter observations, said Sangeet Som 'must be against marbles, having lost his'.
A few, however, echoed Mr Som's words in lending their support to his remarks.
The Taj Mahal has occasionally been a contentious symbol for some Hindus.
Hindu nationalist Yogi Adityanath, the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, said in June the Taj Mahal 'did not reflect Indian culture'.
By Chris Bell, UGC and Social News team.