Renewing the mystique of Taj Mahal -- A love story retold

Renewing the mystique of Taj Mahal -- A love story retold
NITIN JUGRAN BAHUGUNA

NEW DELHI, FEBRUARY 1: The international edition of Taj Mahal Lovers' Story, a fictional work by US-based Indian author Mantoshe Singh Devji which recreates the saga of love, jealousy and treachery that coloured Indian medieval history, is to be released at a special function in the Capital tomorrow.

Devji, one of the earliest women journalists in the Capital before she settled in Phoenix, Arizona, to become a well-known columnist, author and entrepreneur, has in her first fictional attempt tried to capture the story of eternal love, friendship and betrayal that lies shrouded in the mists of history.

Within the gilded walls of the harem which conceals a seething cauldron of intrigue and betrayal, Mumtaz-e-Mahal, the chosen one of the palace, remains untouched and innocent, inspiring the deepest love and devotion of emperor Shah Jahan. ``I wanted to give the world a true story which illustrates man's highest ideals in a medieval world filled with treachery, violence and betrayal,'' she said.

``Ina world of suffering, I wanted to pick out something psoitive that would inspire and motivate people,'' says the author, who spent five years of painstaking research to bring out the novel which she claims transcends and unites all religions.

Tracing her story from Babar's conquest of India, she says the Babar Vani -- which is a part of Sikh scriptures -- is spoken as inspired verse in the opening chapter of the book, just after Babar's attack and plunder of Punjab.

Devji says Akbar, who personally raised Prince Khurram (Shah Jahan), had Jesuit priests in his court for 30 years. His grandsons were baptised by the Jesuits. There was also a church in Agra whose steeple bells could be heard far and wide.

The facets of Hinduism, says Devji, are portrayed by the fact that a Krishna temple is located inside the Agra Fort for the Hindu princess Jodha Bai. The elements of Sikhism come into play when crown prince Dara (son of Shah Jahan) and his sister Jahanara keep the company of Sufi saints and the Sikh gurusof Punjab. They had frequent discussions with Guru Hans Rai (the seventh guru) and Mian Mir who laid the foundation stone of the Golden Temple.

The author admits to an obsession for the Taj which, she asserts, is different from the awe of the average tourist. ``I feel a part of that intense story and my roots can be traced to the time when the Mughals first arrived from Mongolia,'' she says.

Devji, who has authored books and articles on various issues including women's health and religion, says at the start of any project, she first does ``heavy-duty research''. Then she tries to find the lesson in the situation. ``I resolved, along with my Sufi teachers' bidding, to take the principles of righteousness forward in my writings,'' she says.

The lesson of the Taj Mahal, according to her, is that earthly love goes from the mundane and the physical to the eternal. The novel also brings into play the different kinds of love -- that of a father for his son, of a brother for his sister and the love from theworldly to the sublime.

Detailing anecdotes which hitherto have not been commonly known, the book is a lyrical fable reflecting an Indian soul and its glorious past. The Indian edition of the book was released here three years ago. The international edition will be released by the Taj Group of Hotels.