49. Story of the Taj Mahal

Say you are a 17th century construction worker who’s worked long and hard to build a 1) splendid tower for the dead wife of your emperor.

Now say that the emperor orders your fingertips cut off so you can never build another one. Yes, that is the Taj Mahal, one of the most famous buildings in the world. And the tale behind the construction is just as 2) impressive as the building itself.

First, there’s the emperor of northern India, Shah Jehan, also called the King of the World. In 1612, Shah Jehan married Mumtaz Mahal. 3) Madly in love, they had 14 children over the next 20 years. But then sadness came. As Mumtaz was about to give birth to child number 14, she said 4) she had heard her unborn baby cry out. It was a sign of death. And as Mumtaz lay dying, she asked Jehan to build a lasting 5) memorial to celebrate their love.

When the heartbroken Jehan appeared eight days after his wife’s death, his people were shocked to see that his coal-black hair had turned snow-white.

Putting away his sadness, Jahan ordered his wife’s dying wish carried out. More than 20,000 workers 6) laboured nearly 22 years to complete the construction. In 1653, Jehan placed Mumtaz’s remains in the center under the building.

And then, son number five, Aurangzeb, murdered his brothers and 7) took over the power from his aging father. Jehan lived the rest of his days ----eight years, to be exact----8) imprisoned not far from the Taj Mahal. Jehan was only allowed to climb onto the top of his prison to see the timeless 9) treasure from a distance. But never again would he be allowed to visit it-----until he was buried next to his wife.

Today 25,000 people visit the Taj Mahal each day. Though the reason for building the tower was a strange, sad story, those who see its 10) breath-taking beauty are reminded of the happiness that inspired its construction.