Taj Mahal: The Biggest Whitewash in Indian History?

Taj Mahal: The Biggest Whitewash in Indian History?
7 NOVEMBER 2005 1,775 VIEWS 50 COMMENTS

I originally penned this essay in January ’05 and it was included in one of the newsletters earlier this year. I am posting it separately here since it has evoked some interest:

“TAJ MAHAL – THE BIGGEST WHITEWASH IN INDIAN HISTORY?
Several issues back, I had included a piece on Taj Mahal where I had suggested that there is a lot that is unexplained about Taj Mahal and wondered whether we would ever know the truth?

Some weeks ago, I finished reading “Taj Mahal and the Great British Conspiracy” by Shri V S Godbole. www.hindunet.org/hindu_history/modern/godbole_taj1.html

My first reaction, after reading the book, was of disbelief and dismay. Disbelief that not one of our worthy historians and scholars had considered digging beneath the surface to uncover the truth. Dismayed at how little attention has been paid to discussing this issue in the mainstream media.

After reading the book, I decide to summarise the evidence that seems to suggest that the existing history of Taj Mahal is not entirely accurate. In his painstakingly done research, Shri Godbole makes the following points:

1. Architect: On the question of who built the Taj Mahal, there is very little agreement amongst various writers and travellers. Even the origin of the person (whether he was Farsi, Indian, Italian(!)) is disputed. The names that comes up most frequently though is that of Ustad Isa � but as Shri Godbole points out, it is certainly a fabrication; there is no mention of him prior to the 19th century.

2. Time Taken and People Involved: Almost all the accounts quote Tavernier who says that the building took 20,000 people and was 22 years in the making. NB: This account differs considerably from Manrique (a Portuguese preacher) who was in India during the same time and only noticed 1000 people working there. Although Manrique�s testimony is not completely reliable either, the difference in numbers is too stark to ignore
One way of resolving the contradiction is that 22 years were taken and 20,000 people were employed to build the original Taj – NOT by Shahjahan but by Raja Mansingh. What Manrique saw (1000 people) was the “embellishment” that was ordered by Shahjahan to (i) formally complete the acquisition of the property and (ii) to change the character of the building by including Islamic motifs and style – e.g. by inscribing 14 chapters of Koran on it.

3. Badshahnama: Another mysterious omission in almost all the accounts of the Taj is the references that one finds in “Badshahnama” � the official chronicle of Shah Jahan�s reign. Not only are references to it scant, the record makes no mention of any grand building newly constructed by Shahjahan during his reign � the two most significant pages of the chronicles are often ignored by historians � I presume because they are unable to verify the authenticity of the actual document itself. However, similar doubts about authenticity and accuracy can be raised about ALL historical records of that time � this argument cannot therefore be the true reason to ignore the passages. Amongst other things, the passage clearly state that Raja Mansingh�s “manzil” (not “zamin” as mistakenly quoted by some scholars) was acquired by Shahjahan

4. Architecture: The architecture of the building, when examined in detail and without bias, clearly reveals a number of features that are unmistakably “Hindu”. The points are too numerous to be listed and for the avid readers amongst you, I would suggest a read through the relevant chapters in the book.

5. Unexplained structures and underground chambers: Other than long corridors and rooms at several levels, these include moorings for pleasure boats (what purpose could they conceivably have in a building meant for mourning?). Several photographs, drawings and reports about the Taj are either still classified or are untraceable. No one quite knows when was the last time (or indeed the first time) that the monument was “surveyed” by the ASI (Archeological Survey of India).

Finally, a couple of minor points to round up the summary.

6. No extant blueprints or scale models of the building have been found to date – there is no mention about these at all except for a “story” about a wooden model that was supposedly built.

7. The only signature on the tomb is that of the calligrapher – was he the only person of note or the only important contributor to the structure? How is it that there is no mention of the designer or the architect or indeed even of Shahjahan? Is that realistic if a building of such grandeur was being constructed from scratch?

As far as I am aware, the government has not publicly responded to either Shri Godbole or Shri P N Oak�s research (In fact, the Supreme Court in July �00 summarily dismissed a PIL petition by Shri Oak “to reestablish the truth and cultural heritage of our country”) http://www.tribuneindia.com/2000/20000714/nation.htm [PTI News item dated Jul 13, 2000]

To me, continued silence by the ASI and the government does not inspire confidence.

Either there is no mystery in which case there is no need for classifying material related to one of the finest buildings in the world OR – the “story” of the Taj is lot more complex and far less “romantic” than we all have been led to believe.

Is it that the Government is willing to remain silent for the sake of “communal harmony” (read Muslim appeasement) and for the sake of continued tourist interest (which might possibly wane if it turned out that the Taj was actually not a monument to true love but a building usurped by force)?

Or is the government fearful about the Muslim backlash if the building that has been proudly trumpeted as representing the best of Islamic art not only turns out to be Hindu but also with a dirty history of lies and forceful occupation behind it (far removed form the romance and mystery that has come to be associated with it)?

AGRA: Even as the world excitedly talks about the recently discovered mummy believed to be of Egyptian queen Hatshepsut, in India the mystery surrounding Mumtaz Mahal's burial at the Taj Mahal has deepened with several Mughal historians asserting that her body was not mummified.

Mughal emperor Shah Jahan built the 17th century Taj Mahal in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal who died delivering their 14th child in Burhanpur, a town in Maharashtra.

The queen's body was buried in Burhanpur itself but was believed to have been recovered for transportation to Agra where it was reburied in a grave in the Taj Mahal complex for at least 12 years to be again shifted to her final resting place in the basement of the monument.

As there is no detailed description or reference to any kind of treatment given to the body to keep it in recognisable shape for more than 12 years, two conjectures are now being offered.

One, the body remained buried in Burhanpur, only some symbolic relics were brought to Agra in a lead coffin. Two, the body decomposed and virtually vanished, leaving behind some bones and perhaps the bare skeleton.

"Obviously the coffin was not opened, otherwise we would have had some account of what remained inside it," says R Nath, a Mughal historian. "In any case, how does it matter what state the body was in."

Afzal Khan, a historian of Aligarh Muslim University, says, "It is possible that the body might have been thoroughly decomposed, given the long duration for which it was kept outside and the time taken to transport it from the south to Agra. Since there are no accounts of how the whole process was carried out, one can only guess what could have happened to the body of Mumtaz."

A senior guide, 75-year-old SK Tripathi, says the body is believed to have been placed in a lead and copper coffin, which was air tight and sealed. It was kept at the Taj Mahal premises for a little over 12 years and was shifted as soon as more than half the edifice was constructed. The real graves of the two are in the basement, totally sealed.

"No one has gone there to see what state they are in now," he adds.

Archaeological Survey of India officials in Agra say they have no idea when was the last time someone had a close look at the basement and the foundation of the Taj Mahal, let alone the original graves of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal.

"We have no records of any such inspection," says one official.

The one little passage near the stair case leading to the main marble edifice was sealed more than a decade ago with a brick wall, which means there is now no way one can enter the sealed chambers below the Taj.

RC Sharma, a historian, says the body of Mumtaz Mahal was buried in Burhanpur. "What came to Agra must have been just bones in a coffin which was again reburied in the Taj complex."

From historical records available this was a unique feat. "Mumtaz was buried thrice at three different places," says Amit Mukherjea, who heads the history department of St John's College.

Most people do not know that the foundation of the Taj was actually laid in Burhanpur but because of the problems and costs involved in the transportation of marble from Rajasthan, Agra became the final choice.

"It was in Ahu Khana in Burhanpur on the bank of the Tapti river that her body was buried to be later transferred to Agra," according to KK Mohammed of ASI.

But the question relating to the technique of embalming and preservation remains unanswered.

Afsar Ahmed, a media researcher deeply interested in Mughal history, said, "You might find it difficult to believe but there's a possibility that the body of Mumtaz Mahal is still preserved in the Taj Mahal in the same condition as she was when she passed away. Mumtaz Mahal was buried six months after she passed away in June 1631. She was, however, buried in Jan 1632."

The question that arises now is: how was her body preserved? Ahmed quotes a report prepared by Armanul Haq, the curator in the Museum of History and Medicine in the Jamia Hamdard University, who claims that Mumtaz Mahal's body was preserved according to Unani techniques.

The process was used because cutting a body after death is prohibited in Islam. That is why when Mumtaz Mahal passed away in 1631 in Burhanpur, her body was kept in a tin box filled with such herbs as would stop the decay of flesh.

"The airtight tin box was filled with herbs like the ash of Babul tree (acacia), Mehendi (henna), Kapoor crystals (camphor), sandalwood ash, and then again camphor applied in layers upon layers. These herbs would have created a vacuum inside the box and prevented the decay of the body. A point to be noted here is that none of these herbs were put inside Mumtaz Mahal's body," says Ahmed.

If her body is still preserved and in fine shape, shall we call it the success of the Indian technique of mummification?

Introduction :

Taj Mahal was built by emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his wife Mumtaz.
Taj is an Undoubted Master Piece in India .
However, in our continuous effort to get to the truth , we have recently acquired some very important documents and information. There is evidence that the Taj Mahal was never built by Shah Jahan. Some say the Taj Mahal pre-dates Shah Jahan by several centuries and was originally built as a Hindu or Vedic temple/palace complex.

Shah Jahan merely acquired it from its previous owner, the Hindu King Jai Singh.

Fact Sheet by ASI :
The point to consider is how much more of India's history has been distorted if the background of such a grand building is so inaccurate.
These photographs are taken from an album that was found and then smuggled out of India. On the back of each photo there is a stamp mark that says, "Archaeology Survey of India."
This signifies their authenticity and that they were the property of that institution. This means a number of things: That the Archaeology Survey of India (ASI) has been researching the evidence that proves the Taj Mahal and many other buildings were not of Muslim origin, and that they know this information but remain silent about it.
Research :
It also shows that in spite of this evidence they refuse to open up further research that would reveal the true nature and originality of the buildings, and lead to understanding another part of the real history and glory of India.
Truth behind the Images :
These photos are black and white and were found in a simple photo album in India. Except for old age and some water damage on some of them (creating white spots in areas), most are still in relatively good condition. Each photograph was accompanied by a typed caption taped in the album near the photo, each of which gives a very interesting explanation of the subject and the Vedic influence recognized on the building and what it means. The captions accompany the photos on the following pages just as they were written in the album, so the style of English and the explanations are kept the same. They are obviously written from an Indian perspective.

It is because of the manipulation of history by invaders that
The true greatness of India and Vedic culture has been stifled or hidden
. And it is time that people everywhere realize how numerous lies and false propaganda have been passed around as if it were the truth in regard to India and its past, as well as its art, archeology, and the wonder of its culture. India and its Vedic society was one of the preeminent civilizations of the world, " Now, through the increasing amount of revealing evidence that is being uncovered, that greatness of India's past and its contributions to the world are gradually being recognized. It is because of this that it is now time to rewrite the history of India.