World History Minute: The death that led to the Taj Mahal

World History Minute: The death that led to the Taj Mahal
World History Minute: The death that led to the Taj Mahal

World History Minute: The death that led to the Taj Mahal

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In 1627 Shah Jihan became the ruler of the great Mughal Empire in India. According to custom, he had multiple wives. His favorite was the Persian lady known to history as Mumtaz Mahal. She was loyal and intelligent, a good listener and a trusted advisor. She often traveled with the emperor on his military campaigns. During one of these trips, Mumtaz died during childbirth on June 17, 1631. The emperor was devastated - one story said his hair turned white within weeks. He ordered work begun on a magnificent tomb for Mumtaz, near Agra in northern India. Historian John Schmidt tells us more about the tomb that became the Taj Mahal. (photo: Mumtaz Mahal, Wikimedia commons)