Taj Mahal – In Today’s Context
Taj Mahal is the most/beautiful monument of the world. It was built by Moghul Emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his beloved queen and wife Mumtaj Mahal whose original name was Arjumand Bano. She had died in 1630 A.D. while giving birth to her 14th child. It took 20,000 workmen and craftsman 17 years to complete this architectural wonder in marble.
The team of craftsmen, master builders was headed by Persian master designer Ustad Pasha. An imposing red sandstone gateway opens the grand vista of incredible Tajmahal. A long water-course divides the leading path in two. It beautifully mirrors Taj Mahal that stands on a raised marble platform yonder. The monument looks like a huge white flame of love arrested in marble and frozen in time. Rabindranath Tagore described it as ‘A tear drop on the cheek of history’. Four tall-white minarets stand at four corners of the platform. Taj is studded with precious and semi-precious stones. An immortal symbol of love it was but that is history.
Today —Taj is a different proposition. The time has changed its definition. It is modern India’s beautiful address for the world, and the most admired reference. The world does not recognize India unless you mention Tajmahal or to some degree ‘Tiger’.
Taj Mahal is a power house that generates an incredible amount of goodwill all over the world like nothing else does, for our country. So much so that our entire international tourism industry is based on it. 95% foreign tourists come to India merely to see Taj Mahal. Their other programmes are only supplementary to the visit to Taj. All the dignitaries and heads of states who come to India on state visit go to see Taj as an important item of their itinerary.
This tourist inflow feeds the hotel industry, airlines, railways, taxis, luxury buses, handicrafts, textiles, travel agencies etc. It provides a great boost to our economy.
Thus, yesterday’s monument of love, Taj, is today’s power house of India. Tajmahal has been the most voted ‘New Seven Wonders of the World’ in recently organized worldwide online/SMS voting the result of which was declared on 7.7.2007.
