Where is love's abode? Many of us will instantly think about "Taj Mahal". The eternal embodiment of love, passion et al... Is Taj Mahal really a symbol of love? I will leave that to the imagination of the readers but here is the story of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal..

Shah Jahan was born to Emperor Jahangir and his second wife Jagat Gosain, a Rajput princess. But he was raised by Ruqaiya Sultan Begum, emperor Akbar's first childless wife.

Mohammad Khurram (Shah Jahan) got engaged to Arjumand Banu Begum (Mumtaz Mahal) at the age of 15. But as per astrological predictions, they were not supposed to get married in next five years to have a harmonious married life. And he obeyed. In return, in those five years he first got married to Kandahari Begum, a princess from Persia and had his first child, a daughter. Then he married another princess and became father of another child. Finally in 1612, he married Mumtaz Mahal and became the father of 14 children from her in the coming years. After his marriage to Mumtaz, Shah Jahan married two other women namely Akbarabadi Mahal and Moti Begum.

Shah Jahan was an avid builder, his passion for architecture was well known. It is said many European travelers would visit his empire just to learn the different techniques used in construction of buildings. It is also said that some of the world's most talented engineers and architects resided in his emperor. Architecture was his love and his passion. Other than Taj, he is known for building Lal quila, sections of the Agra fort, Jama Masjid, Moti Masjid (Lahore), Shalimar Gardens (Lahore), Jahangir Mausoleum, Takht-E-Taus, Shahjahan Mosque.

Coming back to Mumtaz Mahal and Taj, Mumtaz gives birth to 14 children in 19 years ! Mumtaz was of frail health, doctors had repeatedly warned since his 7th child was born about her health condition and that she was not physically fit to bear more children. She died while giving birth to the 14th child in postpartum hemorrhage!

The question that comes to mind is...what is that love which didn't care when the beloved was alive to the extent that it caused her death?

Love, love ...Where are you?
In epics, that might not have been?
In history, that nobody knows the truth about?
In stories, that could be a figment of imagination?
Or in my heart, as an unbearable pain?
Love, love...where are you?
So faithless I have become
that I am questioning my god.
Love, love...where are you?