Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Mea-Culpa of the Taj Mahal...

“The Crown Palace” alias The Taj Mahal named after my third mistress Mumtaz Mahal, the jewel of the palace is the most mesmerizing masterpiece of my ancestors. If talented people hit the target which no one else can hit then comes a genius who hit the target without seeing it, my master was unanimously one. Beauty is the greatest seducer to the mankind and this genius was entangled by the ravishing aura of the princess that summed up my existence.
Twenty thousand labors were contemplating the script depicted by Ustad Ahmad Lahauri of Persia. Chiliads of elephants brought my bones (marbles) from different parts to frame me into the world’s framework.

If this world is considered to be a beautiful garden then I’m like a beautiful flower in it. I am ostracized by the ministerial to be gazed on a full moon as multitudes say I look bonniest on that day. The moon engulfs me in the ambience of lewdness. The couplets of stupid cupid swear by my exuberance.

I am lucky to have survived the radical changing world (world wars, indo-pak-china wars, terror strikes) for almost 400 years. There are gazillions replica made but none can compete with me. My master left no stone unturned so he chopped off forty thousand hands in front of me.
“Mea Culpa"...that was the most unbearable sight I have ever witnessed. The blood still oozes out like a gushing mountain stream and the fingers points at me. If Lord had provided me with choices then I would have audaciously chosen the hands when compared with my existence. Amino acid gushes out of my eyes that fills the river Yamuna (the reason for its saltiness). The onus of forty thousand hands still haunts me. How I wish if Lord can annihilate me and give their dues.

37 comments:

  1. Its no wonder that Taj is one of the wonders of the world and will forever remain so.....With all the advancements in the field of architecture,a building is yet to be built that matches the unmatched beauty of the Taj.But,at the same time,human lives are more important that anything else in this world-And that is agreed by the Taj itself.

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a compelling story! Although I am familiar with the Taj as an architectural wonder and was aware that it was built as a love offering, I did not know of the human sacrifice devoted to it. That taints it's beauty somewhat, but surely a building no matter what it's origin is innocent of wrongdoing -- that must be laid on humans.

    ReplyDelete
  3. The Taj Mahal is no doubt the perfect example of Mughal architecture and certainly lives up to it's reputation as the jewel of Muslim art in India. I had to read your article twice to fully grasp the beauty and poetry of your writing. I would love to visit the Taj someday.

    ReplyDelete
  4. "I had to read your article twice to fully grasp the beauty and poetry of your writing"


    Read it again hunnie u still not got the point :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I didn't realize the Taj had been the site of such cruelty. You would never think of it gazing at those long entrance pools and well tended gardens.

    I visited the Taj many years ago, it's a sight that stays with you. Still one of the wonders of the world.

    ReplyDelete
  6. This is an interesting perspective. The great architectural wonders of past centuries came at great human cost. With our modern "easy" construction methods we don't appreciate what such structures cost.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I have allways reveled at the beauty of the Taj Mahal. But the way that you brought it to life with your flowing script was very beautiful. Like others have said never heard of the sacrifices that happened. But was little confused whether it was a sacrifice or a punishment for them messing up. Either way very interesting information you provided.

    ReplyDelete
  8. The Taj Mahal is a wonder indeed, and the pain and agony that is associated with just boggles my mind. Especially since it was build as a labor of love.

    ReplyDelete
  9. In 1999 I went to Agra to see TajMahal. When I leaved Agra, I knew, I had just been part of one of life's greatest experiences.. Labour of love...

    ReplyDelete
  10. I also want to visit at tajmehal, but still waiting for chance life is too busy in this day. Let hope I will go there soon.
    Thanks
    http://shaktibanna.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  11. According to the author of the blog I did not get the point that he tried to describe.Well,once I will be able to understand the inner meaning I will surely comment on this blog.
    Till then I withdraw my comment...sorry :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. "Till then I withdraw my comment...sorry"


    Mea-Culpa of the Commenter :-)

    ReplyDelete
  13. I think Taj Mahal is the symbol of love. The immortal love. For me every remember my mife, I will imagine Taj Mahal.

    ReplyDelete
  14. third mistress? I thought she was his one and only love. I also thought that the cutting of hands was actually a myth and this chap actually gave all the labourers vaseline for their hands and gloves to cover them after applying vaseline?

    Is this a true biography?

    ReplyDelete
  15. The Taj Mahal is truly an architectural wonder and one that I would like to see in person some day, along with the Pyramids.

    ReplyDelete
  16. hi when i started reading i don't know meaning of "mea-culpa", then i discovered it thorough post and dictionary. Thanks, i learn a new word and improved my knowledge base.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hey,
    I am seeing "The Taj" from a different angle here.
    One suggestion... It would be a beautiful poem if you write down same thing in hindi as well..

    ReplyDelete
  18. Taj mahal is a symbol of love, truly an architectural wonder...
    Nice post dude...
    really liked that.

    cheers
    kunal

    ReplyDelete
  19. As Indians we must be really proud to have such an architectural masterpiece Taj Mahal being located in India..

    thanks for the info mate

    ReplyDelete
  20. hey buddy..
    nice work.. liked ur blog..
    do visit my blog if u have time..
    http://rhymingspirits.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. Gr8 post, nd gud introspection into something that was benignly forgotten .If your heart cries at the sight of taj mahal den wat will u say at d sight of gr8 wall of china-whr as d legend goes-the laborers who were not fit to work were burried alive-today it has become a gr8 wonder which cn be viewed frm d space.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Your post and obvious love for the Taj brought it to life for me, giving one of the most beautiful examples of architecture in the world emotions and a life of itself. I hope to one day experience this jewel in the sun and take in its beauty with my own eyes.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Taking India's wonder to a new level of Horizon , where the Taj stand tall and humble in its own beauty to get an awe from its admirer. Nice compilation , true in its sarcasm..

    ReplyDelete
  24. Taj is the true wonder of the world. You can't guess the real beauty of it till you see it. :)

    Hope people of India takes care of it :)

    ReplyDelete
  25. very emotional article.. i really enjoyed reading it.. i must say taj mahal is the best.. but what the owner did was really bad... he shudnt have chopped those 40k hands... a cruel lover...

    ReplyDelete
  26. Your article really sets up an interesting concept.

    People look at the palace as being a piece of beautiful architecture. This really sets up a contrast to that allure.

    You have a very interesting blog here. Keep up the good work.

    ReplyDelete
  27. I had no idea of the history, I've always just appreciated it for its splendor. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Taj mahal is the ultimate symbol of love... no one can beat that..

    Haiku

    ReplyDelete
  29. NO ONE CAN BEAT IT.GUD WORK.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Taj Mahal is the most lovely palace in the world indeed - the symbol of "forever love". Nobody can decline that this palace became one of the world wonder. I think that Taj Mahal will be lasting very long as one of the world wonder, not like other world wonder that already replaced by other world wonder. Hope our gran grand child still be able to see this palace of love.

    ReplyDelete
  31. architecture now adays is extremely to the fullest. But nothing more could be greater than the origins of architecture. Nothing can defy taj mahal which is one of the oldest wonders created by human i should say. Its very great how love can create a great structure like taj mahal despite the lackness of tools during those times.

    ReplyDelete
  32. indeed,thats why taj is one of the wonders of the world,nice poetry you made about it...

    ReplyDelete
  33. Definitely taj mahal is great anquity for us, to remembered us not too stuck the architecture but keep forward..

    ReplyDelete
  34. 100%! Nice job. Wounderful post, could have done better myself.

    ReplyDelete
  35. This is a thought provoking post. I especially like the discussion created here in the comments. It is so nice to see a virtual community discussion of such high caliber.

    ReplyDelete