There are many legends about the Taj Mahal. But one sentence is common
in all of them. “For the construction, 20,000 men worked for 22 years.” This is
well known throughout the world. The simple question is – where do these
figures come from?
These figures come from a book Travels
in India by J B Tavernier, a French jewel merchant. He was a great
adventurer who made six voyages to India in the days of Shivaji (1638 to 1668).
Tavernier says,” I witnessed the commencement and completion of this monument (Taj
Mahal) on which 20,000 men worked incessantly for 22 years.”
Tavernier’s book was first published in French in 1675. In those days,
it was a great adventure for a single man to travel over such a long distance,
face many difficulties, deal with peoples of many cultures and languages,
adjust to their customs and traditions, and come home safely – that in itself
was incredible. In addition Tavernier carried out a trade in precious stones
like diamonds. He completed such voyages, not once but six times. His book was therefore
a great sensation at that time. It was naturally translated into English and
during 1677 to 1811; nine editions of the English translation were published,
whereas during the same period twenty-two editions of the French book were printed.
In 1889 Dr Ball translated the original French book into English,
corrected some mistakes in earlier translation and provided extensive
footnotes. He also studied Tavernier’s movements thoroughly and provided details
of his six voyages. From this it is clear that Tavernier came to Agra only
twice – in the winter of 1640-41 and in 1665. This raises another interesting
question.
Historians say that Mumtaz, wife of Shahjahan died in 1631 and the
construction of Taj Mahal started immediately. But if that is the case
Tavernier could not have seen the commencement of Taj Mahal, as he came to Agra
nearly 10 years later.
Aurangzeb had imprisoned his father Shahjahan in the Red Fort of Agra
since 1658 and usurped power. No historian claims that Aurangzeb completed Taj
Mahal. So, Tavernier could not have seen the completion of Taj Mahal either.
And that being the case his statement that 20,000 men worked on it incessantly
is meaningless.
Why have Historians kept this truth from us for the last 117 years? The
reason is simple. It strikes at the heart of the legend.
Badshahnama – what does it
say?
British Historians have proclaimed that in India, Hindu Kings had no
historical sense. Historical records were kept only by the Muslim rulers. Fair
enough, then let us turn to Badshahnama which was written during the reign of
Shahjahan. Asiatic Society of Bengal published the Persian text of Badshahnama
in two parts, part I in 1867 and part II in 1868. The compilation was done by two
Maulavis, under the superintendence of an English Major. The funny thing is
that no one quotes Badshahnama to explain how Taj Mahal was built. Why?
Elliot and Dowson, two English gentlemen undertook the formidable task
of writing history of India from the attack on Sindh by Mohammed bin Kasim in
the 8th century to the fall of Marathas in the 19th
century. A period covering some 1200 years. But it was written, based on
chronicles of Muslim rulers only. Elliot and Dowson’s work was published in 8
volumes during 1867 to 1877. Volume 7 deals with the reigns of Shahjahan and
Aurangzeb. And yet in the entire volume we do not find the word ‘Taj Mahal.’
The authors should have said, “Though we have presented history of Shahjahan
based on his official chronicle Badshahnama, we did not find any reference to
Taj Mahal in it.” They did no such thing. And Historians have kept even this
information from us for the last 130 years.
In 1896 Khan Bahaddur Syed Muhammad Latif wrote a book entitled Agra Historical and Descriptive. He
refers to Badshahnama many times but does not quote specific page numbers. On
page 105 he says, “ – The site selected for the mausoleum was originally a
palace of Raja Mansingh but it was now the property of his grandson Raja
Jaisingh.” Many authors have referred to Latif in their bibliography but have
not cared to see what he has said. This truth was also hidden away from us by
our Historians.
In 1905 H R Nevill, ICS, compiled Agra District Gazetteer. In it he
changed the words ‘Raja Mansingh’s
Palace’ to ‘Raja Mansingh’s piece of
land’. Ever since all historians have followed suit and repeated ‘
Shahjahan purchased Raja Mansingh’s piece of land, at that time in the
possession of his grandson Raja Jaisingh.’ This deception has been going on for
more than a century.
One may ask, “Why would an English officer be interested in playing such
a mischief?” Well if we look at the events of those times the reason is clear
cut.
|
1901 |
Viceroy Lord Curzon separated some districts from Punjab to create a Muslim majority North West Frontier Province. Hindus became an
insignificant minority in this province and that marked the beginning of
their misfortune. |
|
1903 |
Curzon declared his intention to partition Bengal to create a Muslim
majority province of East Bengal |
|
1905 |
Curzon resigned but put into effect the partition of Bengal |
|
1906 |
A Muslim delegation led by Agakhan called upon new Viceroy Lord Minto.
Muslims pleaded that in any political reforms they should be treated separately
and favourably. This move was obviously engineered by the British rulers. December – Muslim League was started in Dacca. |
|
1909 |
In the Morley - Minto reforms Muslims were granted separate
electorates. |
We should also remember that during 1873 and 1914, some English officers
had translated into English the Persian texts of Babur-nama. Humayun-nama,
Akbar-nama, Ain-e-Akbari and Tazuk - i - Jehangiri, but NOT Badshahnama.
Judging from above events it is obvious why Mr Nevill played the
mischief when compiling Agra District Gazetteer in 1905.
It is astonishing that though Maulavi Ahmad (History of Taj 1905) and
Sir Jadunath Sarkar (Anecdotes of Aurangzeb, 1912) repeat that Raja Mansingh’s
piece of land was purchased by Shahjahan, they also provide a reference - Badshahnama,
Volume I page 403. Strange as it may sound, no one had bothered to see
what is written on that page.
In 1964 Mr P N Oak of New Delhi started having his doubts about Taj
Mahal. He put forward an argument that it was originally a Hindu Palace. Oak
had to cross swords with many historians. One of his opponents was a Kashmiri
Pandit. Eventually they went to Government of India Archives. At the suggestion
of the Librarian there the Pandit started to read Badshahnama, soon he came to
Volume I page 403. One line read – va pesh
azin manzil-e-Raja Mansingh bood, vadari vakt ba Raja Jaisingh. He
confessed that Shahjahan took over Raja Mansingh’s palace for burial of Mumtaz.
We owe so much to this honest opponent of Mr Oak. He gave word by word
translation of pages 402 and 403 to Mr Oak who promptly published it in his
book Taj Mahal is a Hindu Palace
(1968). However, Mr Oak never stated that the translation was NOT his. It was
done for him by a Persian expert. That made life of his opponents easy. They
said, “Mr Oak’s translation is wrong.”
I obtained Oak’s book in London in 1977. I made a study for one
year. First of all I read all the
references generally quoted by Historians and writers. That was made possible by
my being in England. Mr Oak did not have that facility. All the references led
to the same conclusion that Taj Mahal is a Hindu Palace and it was NOT built by
Shahjahan. My booklet entitled – Taj
Mahal : Simple Analysis of a Great Deception was published in 1986. In 1981
while going through some references I started suspecting that the British knew
the true nature of Taj Mahal for a long time but had deliberately suppressed
the truth. Eventually my research was published in 10 parts in the Quarterly Itihas Patrika of Thane (India). I collected
all the information available on Taj Mahal over the 200 year period from 1784
to 1984, and shown how the British suppressed vital pieces of evidence or
twisted the truth. My research continued and was published in 1996 under the
title – Taj Mahal and the Great British
Conspiracy
Taj legend exposed in England
in 1980
Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) is a reputable Institution
in London. In1980, in their monthly Journal, they published two letters
challenging the validity of usual Taj Legend. One was by Mr Oak, the other by
me. No one has refuted our arguments. Mr Oak refers to Badshahnama, Volume I
page 403. What have I disclosed in my letter?
What was Agra City like before Shahjahan came to power? That is the
question dodged by all Historians. In the 17th century, the Dutch like
the English were trying to trade in India. They had a Factory (trading post) in
Agra. Fransisco Pelsaert, was their Senior Factor (Merchant) at Agra from 1620
to 1627. In 1626 he prepared a commercial report for his directors in Holland.
By strange coincidence, he describes Agra City at that time. He says, “The city
is narrow and long, because all the rich and influential people have built
their palaces on the river bank and this stretches for
10 ½ miles. I will mention some
of the well known ones. Starting from the North there is the palace of Bahadur
Khan, Raja Bhoj, ……. Then comes the Red Fort.
(Pelsaert then describes the Fort) beyond it is Nakhas – a great market,
then follow the palaces of great Lords – Mirza Abdulla, Aga Naur …… Mahabat
Khan, Late Raja Mansingh, Raja Madho Singh.”
English translation of this report was available since 1925. And yet no
Historian refers to it. Why? The reason is simple. In 1626 Pelsaert has said
that 10 ½ mile stretch of the river-bank was full of palaces, Late Raja
Mansingh’s Palace being the last but one. Badshahnama says that Shahjahan took
over this palace for burying his wife Mumtaz. Thus what we call Taj Mahal today
is nothing but Late Raja Mansingh’s Palace. That is the truth which Historians
have kept away from us.
My efforts had one effect. In 1982 Archaeological Survey of India,
published a booklet entitled – Taj Museum.
Though the authors repeat the usual legend they say, “ Mumtaz died in Burhanpur and was buried
there. Six months later Shahjahan exhumed her body and sent her coffin to Agra,
on that site until then stood Late Raja Mansingh’s Palace…… “
Today that palace is called Taj Mahal. Nothing could be simpler. What building
work is needed for burying a corpse in a Palace?
Dr V S Godbole April
2007
14 Turnberry Walk Akshaya
Tritiya
Bedford
MK41, 8AZ
U.K.