Taj
Mahal - Time to Tell the Truth
By Dr. V. S. Godbole
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 called "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 the Badshahnama which was written during the
reign of Shahjahan. The 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 the 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 the 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 the 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 the 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, the late Raja
Mansingh’s Palace being the last one. The 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, the 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 the 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.
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