arts & culture
{great love stories № 03 | shah jahan & mumtaz mahal}
Monday 16th April, 2012
by Joey Bailey

betrothal -ˈtrō-thəl, -ˈtrȯ-, -thəl noun : a mutual promise or contract for a future marriage
What greater love story could there be, than a love story that inspired one of the most magnificent structures in the world? That which began as a betrothal, blossomed into an intensely intimate bond — which, despite ending in tragedy, will live on forever through the awe-inspiring Taj Mahal . . .

The young prince, Prince Khurram, first spotted the striking Arjumand Banu Begum, a Persian princess, while she was browsing through richly-coloured Persian rugs in the Meena Bazaar. The sight of her made the prince’s heart skip a beat. He may have been only 14 years old, but the prince immediately told his father he wanted to marry the beautiful young princess. As was common, the Emperor Jahangir arranged the betrothal of the exquisite Arjumand Banu Begum to his son, Prince Khurram — they were to be married in five years time.

In 1612, the astrologers of the palace selected the date May 10th for the young couple to be married — a day which, according to the stars, would be most beneficial to a long & happy marriage. Arjumand Banu Begum was unquestionably the love of the prince’s life and so, in honour of his love and in tribute to her incontestable beauty, he bestowed on her the name Mumtaz Mahal, loosely translating to Jewel of the Palace.

One could only imagine the life this wildly romantic couple would have experienced — midnight strolls on the shores of the Taj Lake, midsummer’s night picnics in the Moonlight Garden of the palace — perhaps even an elephant ride for two through the streets of Agra or along the banks of the river Yamuna . . .

Following the prince’s ascension to the Peacock Throne, he became know as the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and throughout his reign, Mumtaz Mahal was constantly by his side. She was his trusted companion and undisputed soul mate, and despite her frequent pregnancies would, without fail, travel throughout the Mughal Empire with her husband on his various military campaigns and royal visits. Shah Jahan loved and trusted Mumtaz Mahal so completely, that he even presented her with the greatest honour possible — his imperial seal, the Muhr Uzah.

In 1631, while accompanying her husband on a campaign to the Deccan Plateau, Mumtaz Mahal gave birth to her fourteenth child, a daughter, but ever so tragically died during the labour. As Mumtaz Mahal took her last breaths, Shah Jahan vowed to her that he would never remarry, and would build her the most magnificent mausoleum as her tomb.
Following his wife’s death, the emperor was inconsolable — he ordered the country into two years of mourning, and he himself went into solitude.

Eventually, the emperor’s eldest daughter, the devoted Jahanara Begum, helped him to arise from his twelve long months of solitude, but by then his hair had turned white, his back was bent, and his face worn.

However, Shah Jahan intended to keep the promise he made to his beloved wife, and began work on erecting the most extraordinary sepulchre in the world. The monument took 22 years and the labour of over 22,000 men, and when it was completed, it was magnificent.

“Not a piece of architecture, as other buildings are, but the proud passions of an emperor’s love wrought in living stones.” — Sir Edwin Arnold
The Taj Mahal now, is an everlasting tribute from the emperor to his beloved wife– but more then that, it is a shining monument of one of the greatest love stories in history.
Every morning, as the sun rises over its great marble domes, it is a reminder of the love one young man felt for a beautiful Persian princess . . .
previously:
Joey Bailey Contributor, Australia
Inspired by film noir, F. Scott Fitzgerald novels & the thought of a summer spent in Paris, this high tea connoisseur enjoys photography & designing & making her own clothes. Joey has been buying fashion, wedding & interior design magazines since a wonderfully young age, and would spend hours browsing through their glossy pages making ‘inspirational’ scrapbooks. Never spotted without high heels, a sketchpad, a pop of pink lipstick & a strong coffee— Joey adores great love stories, chandeliers, crème brûlée, the French countryside & sequins & sparkles & her long time sweetheart— the love of her life whose kisses still give her butterflies …
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I’m of Indian origin and saw the Taj last when I was 6.. barely remember. You have depicted this story beautifully.. and I’m impressed you knew the names of the lovers, many people don’t. Excellent.. gorgeous pictures!
I adored this story! True LOVE does last…
Love <3!!!
And it is remarkable for being the cleanest place in India.
Cluny
I did not know this story — how beautiful. Thank you for sharing xx
anonymous — okay, think we may have figured it out — try clicking on the title of this article to open it on its own page, and then pinning . . .
lauren — thank you for the recommendation x
There’s a fantastic novel called The 20th Wife by Indu Sundaresan that’s loosely based on this family. I highly recommend it. And the sequel as well – The Feast of Roses
http://www.amazon.com/The-Twentieth-Wife-A-Novel/dp/0743428188/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1334611641&sr=8-1
thank you! xx
this is breathtakingly beautiful!
anonymous — not certain . . . re: pinning, but you are the second person who has mentioned — will have a look into it to find out what the issue is x
What a great and moving love story. I still have goose bumps everytime I read it.
Why can’t we pin any images from your blogs anymore :(
I love the photos with all the birds!
love this story. and when you see this in person…its even more amazing.
What a beautiful love story! Please continue to do the Great Love Story series!
What a moving story–thank you so much for sharing it!
This is my favorite one yet! Though I am a bit bias since I am originally from India and I’ve visited the Taj Mahal! Thank you, Joey and Roseline, for sharing one of the greatest gems of my country!
Lovely :)
I was entranced reading this piece. How silly of me that I did not know the catalyst for one of the world’s greatest structures. What a delight to read about it and dream. This is a lovely reminder that we all should have someone that loves us to great lengths!
What a beautiful love story. I read every last word.
Oh, these are such beautiful images! I love your blog so much – I feel instantly swept away every day when I visit.
XO – Hilary
Another beautiful addition to a great series. Loved reading the history of this famous monument. Thank you! x