Legends and Myths

Legends and Myths that Shroud the Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal's story is shrouded in mystery. The more you want to learn about it, the more surprises it'd throw at you. Steeped in a rich illustrious past, the Taj beckons many to explore its facts and deep dive into its history only to be left more intrigued and with questions that may not even have answers. This is the effect that the Taj Mahal can leave on historians or a history enthusiasts. Exuding a sense of immortality and yet a fragility that can wipe out its very existence, the Taj Mahal's beguiling story does achieve an untouched high. The Taj Mahal's myths and legends are nothing short of surprises. Its myths and legends comprise of stories that have been told since its construction. These stories may be true but have not been validated so far.

Commissioned by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1632 in memory of his third wife Mumtaz Mahal (aka Arjumand Bano Begum), this pearl-ivory mausoleum still stands to this date as a testament to their eternal love. It was Empress Arjumand Bano Begum's untimely demise when she succumbed to complications and kicked the bucket while delivering their 14thchildthat came as a shock to the Emperor, so much so that he suffered a complete emotional breakdown.

Here are few of the many principle myths about the Taj Mahal in Agra.

It was this intense sorrow caused by the loss of his favourite and most beloved wife that Shah Jahan dedicated the next twenty-two years of his life, collecting all resources and spending more than what was in his royal treasure, in erecting this monumental excellence – one that we know today as the Taj Mahal. It took over 20,000 labourers who toiled all day and night, and their unwavering dedication and efforts for twenty-two long years that finally shaped the Taj Mahal and its complex, which was finally completed in the year 1653.

Such was the veneration and architectural brilliance of the Taj Mahal that UNESCO inscribed it as a world heritage site in 1983. The mammoth worldwide fame of the Taj Mahal has made it one of the most iconic monuments of the world and like many other popular monuments across the globe, even the Taj Mahal has its share of myths that have intrigued the world for ages.

Let's explore the myths and legends of the Taj Mahal, some of which you may have heard as part of your bedtime stories while some from the locals of Agra.

Each myth and legend associated with the Taj Mahal has not only put an element of interest among visitors but has also created an air of mystery that can be overwhelming at times. The stimulating component of these myths and legends of the Taj cannot be disregarded but how much of these are true and genuine is yet to be found.

Sharing a few of the many myths and legends of the Agra's Taj Mahal in India.

The Black Taj

The Taj Mahal of Agra is one of finest examples of architectural brilliance from planning to execution and how to apply symmetry into action. Every inch of the Taj Mahal serves as a perfect illustration of mathematical symmetry besides Emperor ShahJahan's cenotaph that seems to be a last-minute idea... Read More

The Asymmetric Taj

The excellence of the ever smooth and eminent Taj Mahal has dependably had admirers watch and acclaim in wonderment, and the symmetry of it has dependably had the modelers from across the world conjecture and consider as to how this could have been done on such... Read More

The Italian Architect

The Taj Mahal of Agra has been standing formidably through over three centuries now and that's only the tip of the iceberg. It has been attracting a huge number of curious tourists from all walks of life and every corner of the globe. This mausoleum was indeed an architectural masterpiece of Moghul Emperor ShahJahan, who wanted to immortalize the memory and name of his dearest wife for the whole world to know and remember her... Read More

The Demolition of the Taj

For long Taj Mahal has been a monumental figure, adding to the epical history of the nation. Dressed with white marble and decorated with precious and semi-precious stones, for long has it brought the desire bar up in the hearts of the noxiousness ones... Read More

The Damage aftermaking of the Taj

Among all the interesting and intriguing myths and legends associated with the Taj Mahal, there is one, in particular, which is the most bizarre of the lots. This legend tells the tale of the skilled labourers who toiled day and night to carve out this beauty of sheer magnificence only to be welcomed with a surprise they'd never imagined to be faced with even in their wildest imagination ... Read More

The Legend of its Name

In spite of the fact that its name has been being used for whatever length of time that one can recollect, no one ever knows how the name of this excellent, one of the Seven Wonders of the World came to be the ‘Taj Mahal'. The myth of its ‘Name' states different speculations in the matter of how this monument... Read More

The Taj is Sinking

For whatever length of time that there have been otherworldly monuments, there have been supernatural and legendary stories encompassing them like mist on a hazy morning. Also, the Taj Mahal is no exemption to it. Things being what they are, what myth is it this time? It's the myth of the Taj sinking... Read More

The Taj as a Palace

Raved as one fine sample of Moghul design with a style that brought Indian, Persian, and Islamic compositional components together into one place and consolidated them to frame the ever brilliant Taj Mahal, it is trusted that the monument is exceptional... Read More

The Taj was a Temple

ShahJahan, fitting in with the genealogy of the primary Moghul Emperor Babur, constructed Taj Mahal back in seventeenth century in the cherishing memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. From that point forward, this epic monument of affection has been inspiring and attracting millions from over the world. One such legend has that it was previously the site of a Temple... Read More

Burglary in the Taj

It has been said that when the Taj Mahal saw the first light of day, all the precious, semi-precious, and different invaluable stones engraved into it would shine and glitter like stars under the sun. They would illuminate so radiantly that the sparkle would somehow envelope the Taj, showing off its brilliance. There were around 28 types of unique precious and semi-precious stones... Read More

The Third Set of Graves in the Taj

The chief set of graves can be seen in the main chamber of the Taj Mahal, which has been covered by a randomly cut marble jaali (screen), within the principal tomb. The second set of graves can be found in the lower chamber, which sits directly underneath the main chamber... Read More