Foundations Reading 9A

Chap 17

Reading 9A A LOVE POEM IN STONE Often called "a love poem in stone," the Taj Mahal is one of the most beautiful buildings ever made. It is also perhaps the most beautiful expression of love in the world. The emperor Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal for his empress, Mumtaz Mahal. They lived happily together for 18 years. Then, in 1631, Mumtaz died during the birth of their fourteenth child. Before she died, the emperor made her a promise. To remember her, he would build the most beautiful monument in the world. Building the Taj Mahal was a huge task. It is said that it took more than 20,000 people and 1,000 elephants. They worked for over 20 years to build the monument and its central dome. In 1658, five years after the building was finished, Shah Jahan's son became emperor. He put Shah Jahan in prison. Shah Jahan stayed there until his death in 1666. His body was then put in the Taj Mahal with the woman he loved. There are many legends about the Taj Mahal. In one story, Shah Jahan had the builders' hands cut off after the building was complete. This was supposedly done so they could never build anything as beautiful as the Taj Mahal. Another says he also wanted to build a black Taj Mahal. These are interesting stories, but they are probably not true. The love story between Shah Jahan and his wife ended sadly. But the monument to their love still stands today. Millions of tourists visit every year. They come to see the marble change color in the light of the rising sun or a full moon.

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