The Taj Mahal, the amazing Indian monument has a story that has been melting millions of visitors’s hearts since the time it has been visible.

A story, that although ended back in 1631, continues to live on in the form of Taj and is considered a living example of eternal love.

It is a love story of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal, two historical people who set an example for people living in present & future to come.

The Taj is “Not a piece of architecture, as other buildings are, but the proud passion of an emperor’s love wrought in living stones.”

Shah Jahan, named Prince Khurram, was born in 1592. He was the son of Jehangir, 4th Mughal emperor of India and grandson of Akbar the Great

In 1607 when strolling down the Bazaar, accompanied by a string of courtiers, Shah Jahan caught a glimpse of a girl hawking silk & beads

It was love at first sight and the girl whole stole Shah Jahan’s heart was Mumtaz Mahal, who was known as Arjumand Banu Begum at that time

At that time, he [Shah Jahan] was 14 years old and she [Mumtaz Mahal], a Muslim Persian princess, was 15.

After meeting her, Shah Jahan went back to his father and declared that he wanted to marry her. The match got solemnized after 5 years in 1612.

It was in the year 1628 that Shah Jahan became the Emperor of India and entrusted Arjumand Banu with the royal seal.

He [Shah Jahan] also bestowed her with the title of Mumtaz Mahal, meaning the “Jewel of the Palace”.

Though Shah Jahan had other wives also, but Mumtaz Mahal was his favorite and accompanied him everywhere, even on military campaigns.

In the year 1631, when Mumtaz Mahal was giving birth to their 14th child, she died due to some complications.

While Mumtaz was on her deathbed, Shah Jahan promised her that he would never remarry and will build the richest mausoleum over her grave.

It is said that Shah Jahan was so heartbroken after her death that he ordered the court into mourning for two years.

Sometime after her death, Shah Jahan undertook the task of erecting the world’s most beautiful monument in the memory of his beloved.

It took 22 years and the labor of 22,000 workers to construct the Taj Mahal monument.

When Shah Jahan died in 1666, his body was placed in a tomb next to the tomb of Mumtaz Mahal.

This magnificent monument came to be known as “Taj Mahal” and now counts amongst the Seven Wonders of the World.

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Stories are more powerful than we think.

When going through a difficult time, tell us a story, or better yet, listen to a story. Don’t ask for the main point. Let the story run its course. Like flowing water, it will find its own way, at its own pace. And if you have patience, you will learn more than you might imagine