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Shah Jahan, even though the fifth child of Jahangir, made his
presence felt with his superior fighting skills and training. His
father often sent him on military campaigns, even as a young
child. Shah Jahan won a number of battles for his father and
was conferred the title of Shah Jahan or 'King of the World'.

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While walking through the bazaar, Shah Jahan who was

only 15, spotted a beautiful young girl who went by the
name, Arjumand Banu. So captivated was he by her
beauty, that he begged his father to allow him to marry
her. Jahangir refused, and married him off to a Persian
Princess. Shah Jahan however, never gave up on his first
love. He courted Arjumand Banu for five long years until his
father gave in. The two finally got married and had fourteen children together, one of them being Aurangzeb, the
future King.

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A few years later, Jahangir's health deteriorated. His sons

fought over the throne, until Shah Jahan took over. On ascending the throne, he gave his wife a new title Mumtaz
Mahal or 'The Chosen One of the Palace'.
Shah Jahan's reign was a happy and prosperous one. It was
an era of riches and the most precious of stones were
mined from India's soil which could fill up trunks with emeralds, sapphires, rubies, diamonds and all sorts of other treasures.

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In the fourth year of his reign, tragedy struck his kingdom.

While away in Burhanpur to quell a rebellion, Mumtaz who
was pregnant with their fourteenth child, died after giving
birth to a baby girl. This left Shah Jahan devastated. His
grief and sorrow knew no bounds. He returned home, put
aside all his royal belongings and shut himself up in his
chambers. He refused to appear in public or take care of
any state affairs.

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Then suddenly, one day he decides that he would build a

beautiful monument in the memory of his wife, a structure
that had never been built before and would never be built
again. Thus, began his dream of building the Taj Mahal, the
jewel of India and one of the seven wonders of the world.
The Taj Mahal's foundation was laid on the banks of the
Yamuna., near his palace in Agra. Three architects from
Persia, Italy and France designed it. Skilled artisans were
brought from Baghdad, Constantinople and other Islamic
centers.

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The Taj took almost 20 years to build. Around 20,000

workers worked hard day and night. The whole structure
was made from marble brought from Jaipur along with
other precious metals and stones. Lush gardens with fountains spread almost to the foot of the Taj and a pool was
placed strategically in front of the monument which reflected its shimmering beauty. Dazzling gems were inlaid in
white marble with quotations from the Quran inscribed on
the main entrance.

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And within the Taj Mahal, lay the tomb of Mumtaz Mahal.
Delicate screens surrounded the tomb, where light filtered
through, giving the room a moonlit effect.

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Years passed, and his peaceful life came to an end. Shah

Jahan fell ill and his four sons started quarreling over the
throne. There were bitter fights, and Aurangzeb emerged
victorious. Aurangzeb overthrew his father and placed him
under house arrest at the Agra fort. His only desire was to
see the Taj Mahal everyday and so, he was given a chamber that offered a view of it.

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Old age and sickness overcame him. Shah Jahan breathed

his last. According to his wishes, he was buried alongside his
wife Mumtaz at the Taj. Their love became immortal and
still lives on in the lovely stones of the Taj Mahal even today.

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