A SECOND TAJ MAHAL
Famous As: 7th Wonder of the world
Taj Mahal Was Built By: Mughal Emperor Shahjahan
Built In The Memory Of: Mumtaz Mahal
The Story of a Second Taj - Taj Mahal Information 
According
to popular legend, Shah Jahan decided to construct another Taj Mahal in
black marble on the other side of the river Yamuna and to connect the two
by a bridge. This structure was intended to be his own tomb. It has been
recorded almost contemporarily by a French merchant Tavernier : "Shah
Jehan began to build his own tomb on the other side of the river but the
war with his sons interrupted his plan and Aurangzeb who reigns at present
is not disposed to complete it".
Later gazetteers and guide books mention this story almost invariably.
The irregular position of the cenotaph of Shah Jahan as compared to that
of Mumtaz Mahal which occupies the exact centre of the hall is said to be
proof of this assumption. The Mehtab Burj and the wall adjoining it
opposite the Taj Mahal are generally said to be the foundations and
remains of the proposed plan.
Many scholars, however, believe that this idea belongs to fiction rather
than history. The traces which are identified as the foundations of the
second Taj are actually the enclosing wall of a garden founded by Babar.
The irregular position of Shah Jahan's cenotaph in comparison to Mumtaz
Mahal's, is similar to that at the tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah, and thus
should not be of any striking significance. Besides, according to Islamic
law, bodies are buried with their faces towards Mecca and legs towards the
south, and the husband is placed on the right hand side of his wife. The
interpretation that the cenotaph of Shah Jahan was not meant to be placed
here appears to be superfluous.
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