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Taj Mahal: The Biggest Whitewash in Indian History?

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)?

Finally, a link to another excellent analysis: http://www.stephen-knapp.com/question_of_the_taj_mahal.htm

Related Links: SatyaShodh.com and Shah Jahan’s Firmaans explained

Related Posts: Was the Taj Mahal a Vedic Temple? and The Taj’s Other Story…

November 7th, 2005 Posted by B Shantanu | Indian Architecture & City Planning, Islamic Rule in India | 55 comments