Is Taj Mahal a Temple? | The Mystery Explained by Dhruv Rathee
Dhruv Rathee・20 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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