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Location
of Taj Mahal: Agra, Uttar Pradesh
Famous As: 7th Wonder of the world
Taj Mahal Was Built By: Mughal
Emperor Shahjahan
Built In The Memory Of: Mumtaz Mahal
The year
1607 was a momentous year for Prince Khurram, the eldest son of
Emperor Jahangir and his father's favourite. He was a young
handsome prince accustomed to luxury and refinement. As he made
his way to the Meena bazaar, the private market attached to the
harem, he was surrounded by a string of fawning companions, all
eager to catch his eye. Even at 15, young Khurram cut a dashing
figure with his father's aristocratic nose, high forehead and
large languid eyes. Every maid at the bazaar carried a torch for
him.
The Flame is Lit
Arjumand Banu sat with her silks and glass beads at her shop. She
was the daughter of Asaf Khan, the brother of the emperor
Jahangir's consort, Noorjahan. Exquisitely pretty, Khurram was
drawn to her. He saw a piece of glass at her stall and asked its
worth. When she saucily replied that it was diamond and not glass
he gave her ten thousand rupees (a sum she boldly said he could
not afford), picked up the piece of glass and left carryimg with
him her image in his mind.
Flaming Passions
The next
day Khurram boldly presented his case before the Emperor seeking
Arjumand's hand in marriage. The Emperor raised his hand in
assent, perhaps recalling his own love for Noorjahan. However,
five years were to pass before Khurram was to marry his beloved.
Meanwhile, he was married to Quandari Begum, a Persian princess,
for political reasons.
A Royal Marriage
The astrologers chose 1612 as auspicious for Khurranb's union with
Arjumand. By now he was 20, and she, 19. It was a grand wedding,
as befits an Emperor's son. Jahangir and Khurram went in
procession, surrounded by nobles, musicians and dancers, acrobats,
rare animals in cages, slaves and priests. Jahangir himself
adorned Khurram with the wedding wreath of pearls. On the bride,
he bestowed great honours.
A Perfect match
Deeply influenced by her aunt, Noorjahan, Arjumand Banu was,
unlike her aunt, compassionate, generous and demure. Court poets
woud celebrate her beauty saying the moon hid in shame before her.
She was inseparable from Khurram and often accompanied him with an
entourage when he went to fight wars. In her 19 years of marriage,
she bore him 14 children, 7 of whom died in infancy.
Mumtaz Mahal
After Jahangir's death, Khurram became Shah Jahan and Arjumand
Banu, Mumtaz Mahal. He built sumptuous palaces for her, for
instance, the Khas Mahal in Agra fort. She daily rose in his
confidence eventually giving her the royal seal, Muhr Uzah. She
continually interceded on behalf of petitioners and gave
allowances to widows and orphans. Like many royal ladies, she also
had nerves of steel. She is said to have enjoyed the spectacle of
men in combat with animals. Shah Jahan is believed to have
persecuted the Portuguese at Hooghly at her behest.
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