Taj Mahal Seen As Imperial Might, Says Historian

Hyderabad: The Taj Mahal must be seen beyond its symbol of love and poetry, historian Rana Safvi said at a special exhibition on the theme “Mute Eloquence of the Taj Mahal Ba‑zaban‑e Be‑zabani” organised by the Salar Jung Museum here on Sunday.

Safvi said her research revealed the monument as a symbol of imperial power. “Through my research work, I saw it as a monument of imperial might. When I started going deeper into Islamic architecture and Sufi thought, I realised there was much more to the Taj Mahal than the white marble, the pillars and the poetry,” she said.

She noted that in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the Taj Mahal was reshaped to resemble an English countryside park, as British and European visitors viewed it as a romantic monument. “It was redesigned to attract tourists in line with their sensibilities,” she added.

Originally called Rauza‑i‑Munawwara, the mausoleum carries 22 full chapters of the Quran inscribed on its surfaces. Safvi explained that the foundations were built down to the river on a massive sandstone platform, with water essential to keep the wooden base moist and stable. “One concern today is that if the Yamuna River dries up, the wooden foundations may crack, affecting the stability of the monument. Water was one of the essential elements in the design of the Taj Mahal,” she said.

The exhibition, featuring rare artworks, photographs and postcards of the Taj Mahal, will remain open until October 4. It aims to promote cultural heritage and provide visitors with unique insights into the monument’s history.