Agra Fort and the Taj Mahal
Agra Fort, lunch, Taj Mahal. Ho hum. NOT! I can't believe I finally really went to the Taj Mahal!!!
My personal Photos and commentary:
https://picasaweb.google.com/sljoslyn/20110317_AgraFortAndTajMahal?authkey=Gv1sRgCIv5zvvn5oSGZQ&feat=directlink
Background:
My personal Photos and commentary:
https://picasaweb.google.com/sljoslyn/20110317_AgraFortAndTajMahal?authkey=Gv1sRgCIv5zvvn5oSGZQ&feat=directlink
Background:
The Taj Maal is a mausoleum located in Agra, Inda by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, the grandson of Emperor Akbar, in the memory of his deceased queen Arjumand Bano Begum, who was more popularly known as Mumtaz Mahal who was also the niece of empress Nur Jahan. Construction began in 1631 and took 22 years to complete with a work force of more than 20,000 men. It was finally finished in 1653 at a cost of 32 million Rupee or $400 million in today’s prices.
Shah Jahan was born Prince Khurram in 1592, the eldest son of Jahangir, the fourth Mughal Emperor after Babur, Humayun and Akbar. He assumed the title Shah Jahan, which comes from Persian meaning "King of the World" when, at the age of 36 he succeeded his father to become the fifth Mughal Emperor in 1628.After reigning 30 years he became desperately ill and the word spread, erroneously, that he had died. This sparked a save power battle between his sons for the throne. His third son, Aurangzeb, emerged victorious having killed two brothers with the fourth fleeing into exile.Shah Jahan, having been a mere spectator at the savage contest, was then imprisoned by in the Agra fort for the remaining eight years of his life. He was tended by Jahanara, his eldest daughter, throughout his imprisonment. And, according to legend, on his death-bed, he kept his eyes fixed on the Taj Mahal which was clearly visible from his place of confinement. Laid in a separate tomb alongside his beloved Mumtaz Hahal, the Taj Mahal became the final resting place of Shah Jahan.
Shah Jahan was born Prince Khurram in 1592, the eldest son of Jahangir, the fourth Mughal Emperor after Babur, Humayun and Akbar. He assumed the title Shah Jahan, which comes from Persian meaning "King of the World" when, at the age of 36 he succeeded his father to become the fifth Mughal Emperor in 1628.After reigning 30 years he became desperately ill and the word spread, erroneously, that he had died. This sparked a save power battle between his sons for the throne. His third son, Aurangzeb, emerged victorious having killed two brothers with the fourth fleeing into exile.Shah Jahan, having been a mere spectator at the savage contest, was then imprisoned by in the Agra fort for the remaining eight years of his life. He was tended by Jahanara, his eldest daughter, throughout his imprisonment. And, according to legend, on his death-bed, he kept his eyes fixed on the Taj Mahal which was clearly visible from his place of confinement. Laid in a separate tomb alongside his beloved Mumtaz Hahal, the Taj Mahal became the final resting place of Shah Jahan.
