Is Taj Mahal a Temple? | The Mystery Explained by Dhruv Rathee

Dhruv Rathee・2 minutes read

The Taj Mahal has faced controversy over claims of it being a Hindu temple named Tejo Mahalaya, refuted by historians and dismissed by the court, with detailed historical records supporting its status as a tomb built by Shah Jahan in memory of Mumtaz Mahal. False claims by P.N. Oak linking the Taj Mahal to Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, and Judaism were debunked by historians and ridiculed by the Supreme Court, highlighting the misinformation spread through platforms like WhatsApp University.

Insights

  • The Taj Mahal has been subject to various conspiracy theories, including the notion that it was originally a Hindu temple named Tejo Mahalaya, but these claims have been refuted by historians and dismissed by the court, emphasizing its true status as a tomb.
  • Purushottam Nagesh Oak propagated false theories about the Taj Mahal's origins as a Hindu temple, employing a methodology based on linguistic connections and historical fabrications, leading to misinformation and court cases, ultimately dismissed by the Supreme Court due to lack of evidence and his imaginative storytelling style.

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Recent questions

  • Was the Taj Mahal originally a Hindu temple?

    The Taj Mahal was not originally a Hindu temple, but a mausoleum built by Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Despite claims suggesting otherwise, historical evidence and detailed accounts refute the theory that the Taj Mahal was a Shiv Temple named Tejo Mahalaya. The monument's construction, materials used, and purpose as a tomb for Mumtaz Mahal all align with its established history as a Mughal architectural masterpiece.

  • Who built the Taj Mahal and when?

    The Taj Mahal was built by Shah Jahan, a Mughal emperor, in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Construction began in 1632 and was completed in 1653, taking a total of 22 years to finish. The white marble used in its construction was sourced from Rajasthan, and the intricate design and decoration of the monument involved around 22,000 laborers working daily on the project.

  • What is the significance of the 22 closed doors at the Taj Mahal?

    The 22 closed doors at the Taj Mahal are actually part of a corridor with locked rooms that are periodically opened for cleaning and maintenance to preserve the monument. These doors do not hide idols of Hindu Gods or fabled treasures, as some theories suggest. The closed rooms are a practical aspect of the Taj Mahal's architecture, serving as access points for maintenance purposes rather than concealing hidden secrets.

  • Did Shah Jahan mutilate workers after the Taj Mahal's construction?

    Claims that Shah Jahan mutilated 20,000 workers after the completion of the Taj Mahal to prevent them from building anything as beautiful are unfounded and lack historical evidence. The settlement of Taj Ganj, where workers lived during the construction, still exists, showcasing the respect Shah Jahan had for his laborers. These workers were integral to the Golden Period of Mughal Architecture, and there is no credible support for the theory of their mutilation.

  • What led to the spread of misinformation about the Taj Mahal's history?

    The spread of misinformation about the Taj Mahal's history can be attributed to individuals like Purushottam Nagesh Oak, who propagated false claims about the monument's origins. Oak's unfounded theories, such as the Taj Mahal being a Hindu temple named Tejo Mahalaya, were debunked by historians and dismissed by the Supreme Court. His imaginative storytelling style, based on linguistic similarities and fabricated historical claims, led to misinformation spreading through platforms like WhatsApp University, distorting the true historical narrative of the Taj Mahal.

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Summary

00:00

Taj Mahal: History, Controversies, and Mysteries

  • Some claim that the 22 closed doors of the Taj Mahal hide idols of Hindu Gods, while others believe they conceal the fabled good days.
  • The Taj Mahal is speculated to be a Shiv Temple named Tejo Mahalaya, built by Raja Paramardi Dev in the 13th century, not by Shah Jahan.
  • Shah Jahan purchased the Taj Mahal from Raja Jai Singh, the grandson of Raja Maan Singh, according to one theory.
  • A theory suggests that Shah Jahan mutilated 20,000 laborers to prevent them from constructing anything as beautiful as the Taj Mahal.
  • Shah Jahan's real name was Khurram, and Mumtaz Mahal's real name was Arjumand Banu Begum; they had 14 children, with half dying at birth.
  • Mumtaz Mahal's death in 1631 led Shah Jahan to build the Taj Mahal, using materials like white marble from Rajasthan and gems from various countries.
  • The Taj Mahal took 22 years to build, with around 22,000 laborers working daily on its construction and decoration.
  • Recent controversies surrounding the Taj Mahal include claims of it being a Hindu Temple named Tejo Mahalaya, dismissed by the court.
  • The 22 closed rooms of the Taj Mahal are actually a corridor with locked doors, opened periodically for cleaning, to preserve the monument.
  • Historians have refuted claims of the Taj Mahal being a temple, emphasizing its status as a tomb, with detailed historical accounts compiled in books.

13:03

Debunking myths about Taj Mahal's history

  • Shah Jahan gave four palaces to Raja Jai Singh in exchange, recorded on 28th December 1633, with official documentation available at Jaipur's City Palace.
  • Historian Rana Safi shared a translated copy of the transaction on Twitter, recommending an audiobook on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj available on KUKU FM, an audio learning platform costing ₹399 annually, with a 50% discount using the code DHRUV50.
  • Purushottam Nagesh Oak, known as P.N. Oak, spread the false claim of Tejo Mahalaya, suggesting the Taj Mahal was originally a Hindu temple, along with other unfounded theories linking Christianity, Islam, and Judaism to Hinduism.
  • Oak's methodology differed from historians, fabricating historical claims based on linguistic similarities, like Vatican being a Hindu temple, and asserting that the Taj Mahal was built in 1155 by Raja Paramardi Dev.
  • Oak's claims led to petitions and court cases, including one in 2000 where he cited Shah Jahan acquiring Raja Jai Singh's palace, mixing factual history with his imaginative narratives.
  • The Supreme Court dismissed Oak's petitions, ridiculing his misconceived notions, highlighting his imaginative storytelling style, which later spread through WhatsApp University, leading to misinformation about the Taj Mahal's history.
  • The claim that Shah Jahan chopped off workers' hands after building the Taj Mahal was debunked logically, with no historical evidence supporting it, as the workers' settlement Taj Ganj still exists, showcasing the respect Shah Jahan had for his workers during the Golden Period of Mughal Architecture.
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