Shah Jahan was India’s greatest ruler during the time of the Mughal
Dynasty. He was even considered a greater ruler than his father. This man was a
combination of great military, political, and administrative abilities; ingredients
necessary for the success of any ruler. But most of all he had an artistic sense, renowned
for enjoying the world for its magnificence. Shah Jahan was responsible for many of the
great buildings in India.
The Taj Mahal is only one of his famous buildings, but the most
remarkable and well known. This monument was a tribute to his beautiful wife and queen ,
Mumtaz Mahal. Their love towards one another was deep and true, and she was a very big
part of her husbands life. Always having a large influence over him, she became involved
in state affairs also, wherever they might take them. Her death in 1630 devastated Shah
Jahan, making his life seem empty; His feelings best said in his own words , " Empire
has no sweetness, life itself has no relish left for me now. "
Years
later, to put his mourning in concrete, he built a construction for his wife, taking
nearly 22 years and 2000 workers to complete. This dream in marble today is a spectacular
masterpiece, reflecting the Mughal style with a blend of careful harmony and intricate
decorations. It is located in the city of Agra, where he moved after her death, near the
Yamura River and part of ancient formal gardens. This treasure is considered as one of the
most beautiful buildings in the world, with a height of about 100 feet as a snowy white
monument framed around a beautiful surrounding area. The Taj Mahal is only one of other
incredible architectures of Shah Jahan, but the greatest.