A Love Set in Stone: The Taj Mahal
Tourists and locals admiring the Taj Mahal on January 14, 2023 in Agra, India.
Experiencing the story behind the the wonder of the world in Agra, India.
So, what makes a "wonder of the world?" The grand architecture and design? The cultural significance and role in livelihoods? I've come to believe it's a culmination of these: it's the story. What is the story of the Taj Mahal? I ponder these questions as I gaze at the beautiful, pristine palace that is the famous Taj Mahal.
A Story about Timeless Love
On January 5, 1592, Shihab-ud-Din Muhammad Khurram, better known as Shah Jahan I, was born. He was the 5th Emperor of the Mughal Empire, coronated on February 14, 1628. When he was 20 years old, he married Arjumand Banu Begum, who became known as Mumtaz Mahal.
Their marriage was filled with love, happiness, and devotion. As an Empress, Mumtaz Mahal served as a head advisor to her husband and was an incredibly influential figure. She even oversaw the imperial seal, which means she reviewed official documents in their final stages.
Our tour guide, Fazihad, said that before Mumtaz Mahal died in June 1631, she requested two things: that her husband's love for her would remain strong and that he would build a beautiful place for her to rest after she passed. Shah Jahan loved his wife so deeply that he built the Taj Mahal for her, where she remains buried today. When Shah Jahan died in January 1666, he was buried alongside his wife.
Today, the Taj Mahal is among the most outstanding architectural achievements in the world and is a monumental symbol of love and beauty in India. As I admired the stunning monument, I appreciated the attention to detail and dedication, even more so knowing the story of the love that inspired it. Every Friday, the monument is open only to Indian locals, who go to pray and reflect.
Touring the Taj Mahal
My group and I arrive at the Taj Mahal around 10:00 a.m. on January 14. We meet Fazihad, grab tickets, and go through security. Once we're through, we trek down a long, gravel road surrounded by gardens. The gardens are lush and green, and the air feels cleaner here. Monkeys swing from trees, lounge on the fences, and scamper across the road, shooting glances at tourists with small, beady eyes. Seeing monkeys is exciting, but they are aggressive. Fazihad warns us not to make eye contact with them, so I grab my photos quickly before hurrying along.
A young monkey perches on a fence next to the road to the Taj Mahal on January 14, 2023 in Agra, India.
An older monkey sits on a near the ticket booth by the Taj Mahal on January 14, 2023 in Agra, India.
Finally, we reach the monument. It was a breathtaking moment. We pass through a red brick tower and see the Taj Mahal through the tunnel in the distance. The white marble shines in the sunlight, partly hidden by smog, which makes the scene alluring. Life didn't feel real. I was in a dream, and I would wake up in my bed in Texas at any moment. Yet, here I was, staring at my first wonder of the world.
Passing through a tunnel in the outer wall to reach the courtyard before the Taj Mahal on January 14, 2023 in Agra, India.
We make our way through the tower and emerge on the other side. In front of us is the reflection pool, and there are succulent squares of green grass to the sides. Trees line the pathways, swaying in the breeze. Tourists and locals stroll up and down the paths, taking photos and marveling at the scenery. Walking closer to the monument, we often stop to grab pictures. The temperature is cooler than expected, so I clutch my scarf around my shoulders to keep warm.
Like all my guides have been so far, Fazihad is an excellent photographer. He knew precisely what angles to get and even told us how to pose. He was also incredibly knowledgeable. A moment didn't pass where he wasn't telling us a remarkable fact about the Taj Mahal or snapping a creative photo.
Fazihad explaining the designs in the walls of the Taj Mahal in Agra, India on January 14, 2023. He said gemstones and floral designs are meant to represent feminine beauty and honor Mumtaz Mahal.
After spending some time outside, learning about all the different buildings encompassing the Taj Mahal, we cover our shoes to avoid trek dirt in the palace and go inside. We were not allowed to take photos inside out of respect, but I can still picture that first room as clearly as day.
The walls are covered in various gemstone detailing, depicting flowers and other symbols of beauty and grace. The ceilings were arched and towered several feet above us, meeting at the top to create a point. The white marble appears golden in the sunlight shining through the windows at the top. Our guide shows us with a flashlight that some of the gems used in the designs are semi-transparent and allow light to pass through! I had never seen anything like it. I can hear the quiet hums of voices bouncing off the walls. One guide asked for my name, and I told him. Then, he turns, cups his hands over his mouth, and sings my name. I listened in delight as it echoed around the room while he moved on to the next person.
The following rooms resemble the first, with intricate designs and carvings on the marble walls and arched corners. We walk through silently, each of us appreciating the beauty silently, not to disrupt the quiet energy. We conclude the tour at the back of the palace. A balcony overlooks the river Yamuna, which is linked to the sacred Ganges River and provided resources to the Mughal Empire for many years. Shivering in the brisk wind, we grab a few more photos before leaving the monument.
Zainub Exports
A display inside Zainub Exports in Agra, India on January 14, 2023.
After departing from the Taj, we made another stop before returning to New Delhi. It's a small shop a few minutes away from the monument and India's number one marble exporter. The shop oversees all the repairs done at the Taj Mahal, and it's run solely by the descendants of Shah Jahan.
They show us the slow and intricate process of detailing the gemstones in the marble. To explain in simple terms, they carve the marble into the shape they need, then place the tiny gems onto it. After that, they fill the gaps with multiple coats clear of clear polish and smooth out the design. This process can take days, depending on how big and intricate the design is. Then, we go inside the shop, and they show us how light shines through the marble, creating beautiful shining artwork. It was amazing.
After this incredible presentation, we can roam and shop around the store. Originally, we all settled on not purchasing anything as the art was rather expensive, but when they started offering discounts since we were "college students," we couldn't resist. I got a small marble elephant with gemstone designs. It's made from the same marble as the Taj Mahal, so it's like taking a piece of it with me to commemorate my first wonder.
Exploring the incredible Taj Mahal was an unforgettable experience. I feel so grateful to have gotten to go, not only to see its beauty but to learn about its extraordinary story and how large of an impact this monument holds on India.
Additional Sources:
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shah_Jahan)
