7 Wonders of the World

TAJ MAHAL, INDIA
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All the world loves a lover… This is the story of Arjmad Banu and the love she enthused. Niece of the beautiful Noor Jehan, wife of the Mogul Emperor Jehangir met Prince Khurram, Jehangir’s son, when she was just fourteen years old, in the Red Fort at Agra. Cupid struck the two young royals. They did get married in 1612 but soon after, the Prince rebelled against his father and left Agra. She supported her husband at every step and followed him in his self-imposed exile. Just before Jehangir’s death (1627), father and son reconciled. Prince Khurram was crowned Emperor with the name Shah Jehan (Ruler of the World) and Arjmad Banu was named Mumtaz Mahal (Crown of the Palace). As was her custom, she continued to accompany her husband everywhere, even during his military expeditions. During one such expedition against the rebellious Deccan governor in 1631, Mumtaz Mahal died in childbirth. The 39 years old Emperor was devastated. Unable to bear his loss, he decided to build a memorial for his beloved that was unparalleled. Construction began the very same year. Such was Shah Jehan’s passion to obtain ultimate perfection that 20,000 people worked night and day for 22 years to achieve it.

This eternal legacy remains to enchant every person who visits the monument. Graceful curves of marble domes and elegant minarets glow by the light of the moon, pearl-like. The Taj Mahal radiates an aura of mystical beauty on a full moon night. Inside the Taj Mahal, the elaborate inlay work, forming floral patterns like pressed flowers on marble, and large expanses of pure marble leave one astonished. Shah Jehan had commenced the building of a Black Taj Mahal, but this stands incomplete . The Agra Fort on the banks of the Yamuna, is made of red sandstone. Emperor Akbar laid the foundation of this fort. It was Emperor Shah Jehan, however, who was responsible for completing it. Agra is indeed rich in monuments that reflects the delicate fusion of Islamic and...