by admin | May 25, 2021 | News
By Brij Khandelwal,
Agra : Welcoming the Supreme Court’s concern over discolouring of the Taj Mahal, the 17th century monument to love in Agra, historian Prof R. Nath, an authority on Mughal architecture, said “mud-pack treatment with ‘Multani Mitti’ was the chief cause (of its browning) and this should be stopped forthwith”.
Talking to IANS on phone from Ajmer, where he has shifted from Agra, Nath said: “I had on dozens of occasions warned that the beauty parlour treatment with Fuller’s Earth would leave permanent scars and make the surface rough for deposits in the ambient air to settle down. In their wisdom, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) experts have damaged the original ‘Vajr Lep’, a concoction of paste using local ingradients, to provide a permanent cover.”
Nath said another problem area in respect of the security and safety of the Taj Mahal is the dry river Yamuna.
“On scores of occasions, and in a number of my research papers, I had recorded that Yamuna was an integral part of the Taj Mahal complex and the foundation resting on wells needed water round the year. The state and central governments ignored the warning I had given that the water in the river was necessary to buttress the heavy weight of the main edifice. The dome alone weighs 12,500 tonnes. My fear is some day the huge structure could just cave in,” he said.
You do not need foreign experts to tell you what to do and how to conserve these valuable heritage structures, Nath said.
“The temples in Rajasthan, all marble, Dilwara, Girnar, built in 12th century, stand out sparkling white, without any signs of fatigue. Why is only the Taj Mahal wearing out and looking pale and sick?”
The 80-year-old historian, who has written more than 300 research papers and authored dozens of books on Mughal architecture and history, is deeply pained and anguished. “I am not physically fit, otherwise I would have protested and raised an alarm. The powers that be do not seem interested in preserving history and heritage.”
He accused the ASI of ignoring its own 1923 conservation manual by Sir John Marshall, which prescribes almost everything related to the conservation of protected national monuments and is not convinced of the ASI’s expertise in protecting the monument.
“Cracks are bound to develop in any structure over the years, but they have to be periodically investigated and filled with material that is compatible with the structure,” he said.
The Taj Mahal underwent its first repair in 1652, when there was a leak in its dome. The leak was plugged using ingredients that had waterproofing qualities like pulses, gum and gur, said Nath.
“The lime-mortar mix was used in ancient and medieval times for roofing and for filling the cracks and crevices. Aurangzeb had the Taj repaired with the same materials in several thick layers and the leakage was plugged permanently. The materials used by ASI are a poor substitute to the original,” he said.
“Chances are the pores of the marble slabs would be opened because of the treatment, exposing the stones to environmental onslaughts. The builders of the Taj Mahal gave it a permanent treatment using a ‘desi’ concoction developed after years of painstaking research. This is called the ‘vajra lep’,” Nath said, adding that there was no history of “Multani mitti” being used on large marble buildings in “Greece, Italy or anywhere else in the world”.
“Since it is essentially a bleaching agent, will it not make the Taj’s surface rough and uneven,” he questioned.
Local conservationists, too, are not convinced about the usefulness and safety of treating the Taj Mahal with a mudpack on a regular basis. Experts point out that air pollution in Agra is the main reason for the deteriorating condition of the monument and that the government should focus on that instead.
“If the (previous) treatment was so good, why do they have to give it another one so soon,” asked Surendra Sharma of the Braj Mandal Heritage Conservation Society.
“What this means is that all our efforts to fight environmental pollution in the Taj Trapezium Zone have dismally failed. If pollution has been checked as claimed by the departments concerned, then what are the factors that are disfiguring the Taj Mahal?” Sharma asked.
(Brij Khandelwal can be contacted at brij.k@ians.in )
—IANS
by admin | May 25, 2021 | News, Politics
By Brij Khandelwal,
Agra : Y.H. Tucy, who claims to be the great grandson of last Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar, has said the Sunni Waqf Board has no claim over the Taj Mahal and Ayodhya’s Babri Masjid land.
The Taj Mahal, is the nation’s property and no one can claim any right over it, Tucy told IANS, in an interview. “Remember Emperor Shah Jahan has not written a deed in favour of Waqf,” Tucy said.
“As for construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, I do not see any reason why the temple should not be built. I will support any move that brings different communities together and bridge the communal divide,” Tucy said.
“The Sunni Waqf is a big land grabber. They do not have even chairs and tables in their offices, how can they manage the Taj?
“They just want media attention and for that create differences among Hindus and Muslims.
“As the direct descendant of Mughals, my case is pending in the Supreme Court for appointment as Mutavvli, I will give these properties to the Indian government.”
He said no one had a right to play politics in the name of Taj Mahal, which is a national treasure. “I invited the Hindu Mahasabha and members of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh activists for the Urs of Shah Jahan.”
The Urs of Shah Jahan that ended on Sunday was attended by over 35,000 people. A 1,111 metre long saptrangi chadar was offered at the end in a ceremonial procession.
(Brij Khandelwal can be contacted at brij.k@ians.in)
—IANS
by admin | May 25, 2021 | Opinions
By Dr Syed Zafar Mahmood,
Taj Mahal is known all over the world for its singular beauty and as a symbol of ardent love. But, the third aspect of its celestial revelatory panorama remains mostly obscure from the public cognizance.
2. On the gigantic double arches in all four sides of the Taj facade, carefully selected verses from the holy Quran are calligraphed each beginning from lower right side going all the way up, running to the left and creeping down till the left lower side. The calligraphy is made by jasper inlaid in white marble panels. Higher panels are written slightly larger to reduce the skewing effect when viewing from below. Inside the main chamber also such verses as well as ninety nine Arabic names of God are inscribed.
3. From the mausoleum’s 223 feet height and 112 feet width one can make out the dimensional enormity of the eight marble arches on which the Quranic calligraphy is inscribed. Additionally there is similar marble inscription around the outer red stone gates each of which is 70 feet high.
Adam, other Messengers and Books
4. As per the message mirrored by Taj Mahal, Adam was the first man and the first messenger of God. As humanity progressed, God appointed fresh messengers in different parts of the world and in various phases of human history. To some of them He revealed His message that can be broadcast in the form of a scripture.
5. Each such message was meant for the entire humanity though these were clothed in the respective local languages of the recipient communities. Quran is in Arabic which was the language of Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) and his contemporaries in Arabia. Names of some of the earlier messengers and books have been mentioned in the Quran and many have not. Twenty-five messengers and three revealed books are mentioned by name.
6. When chronologically appraised, the list of messengers begins from Adam and includes, among others, Abraham, Isaac, Ishmael, David, Jacob, Joseph, Moses and Christ. The books mentioned are Psalms, Old Testament and New Testament. Yet, God says that the human beings should believe in and revere all the messengers and all the revelations. This injunction verbatim forms part of the Quran (2.285).
The Preserved Tablet – Sanctum sanctorum of all revelations
7. It is understood from Quran that even before God created life outside the heavens, He caused to be written, in what is known as the Protected Tablet (Lauh Mahfooz), His grand comprehensive message that was set to be revealed to humanity – intermittently and repeatedly – through a battery of messengers during the millennia to come. On the eve of beginning the earthly creation, this comprehensive message was brought down to the worldly sky. From there, it was revealed to God’s messengers at various global locations in different languages, many times over, in different phases of human history. Thus, the Preserved Tablet is the sanctum sanctorum of all revelations.
Purpose of creating humanity
8. God goes on to explain that humanity was created by Him to test the comparative levels of righteousness among the human beings, or absence thereof. Worldly life is temporary and insignificant, it is only a trial. The award or punishment for good or bad deeds done here will be given in the next life which will be everlasting and permanent. The final dwelling place will be either Heaven or Hell. That would be decided on the Day of Judgement when all human beings will be resurrected.
9. The moral of the story is that the human beings should try to be more and more righteous during their limited tenure in this world.
Shahjahan’s service to mankind
10. This realization seems to have intensely dawned upon Emperor Shahjahan after the immature death of his beloved queen. So, in addition to creating a long lasting memorial for her – in brick, mortar and marble – the monarch also used the edifice to telecast his supernatural realization for the spiritual pleasure and benefit of the upcoming generations of humanity.
11. He expanded his architectural project to include imparting to the millions of prospective visitors to the shrine – and today’s online surfers sitting in the cozy comfort of their houses and offices the world over – some nuances of God’s Message to humanity. Proper appreciation thereof is sufficient to keep the day to day activity of human soul altruistically attuned toward the service of the fellow creatures, elevating it to a level much above the confines of mundane passion.
Bill Clinton on Taj Mahal
12. President Bill Clinton had one said that there are two kinds of people in the world, those who have seen the Taj Mahal and those who haven’t. But, even Clinton didn’t know that appreciating mere marble beauty is not the full realization of the Taj. It’s intrinsic beauty is the Beauty of God manifested through its widespread Quranic calligraphy that was created by the Persian calligrapher Abdul Haq who came to India from Shiraz, Iran, in 1609. Shah Jahan conferred the title of “Amanat Khan” upon him as a reward for his dazzling virtuosity.
13. In the coffee table book published in 2018 by Zakat Foundation of India umpteen specific camera views of the Taj Mahal have been presented that focus the calligraphic beauty of the wonderful monument. Along side each photo view the theme of the Quranic engraving has been briefly summarized. For this purpose cues have been taken from well known translations and commentaries; may God bless the noble authors and their associates. Some of these divine injunctions are given as follows.
Code of conduct for human behavior
14. Among the Quran’s chapters enshrining the Taj is Surah Ikhlas (ch 112) which establishes the Oneness of the Creator i.e. the doctrine of Tawhid. It says that God is without equal, without origin and unlike anything else that exists. The fourth line, ‘Nothing is like Him’ is a fundamental statement of ‘tanzih’ i.e. divine exclusivity and inimitability – God as the incomparable. This surah was also inscribed on the Dome of the Rock at Jerusalem by Abd-al-Malik ibn Marwan .
15. In Surah Al-Takvir (ch 81) female infanticide has been declared punishable. Besides, through many Surahs the divine scheme and code of human conduct have been elucidated. The scripture say: God has breathed His spirit in each one of the human beings (38.72) casting duty upon him or her to imbibe some godly qualities. Over every possessor of knowledge there is one knowing more (12.76); thus nobody should be proud of what he knows.
16. God likes us being good hosts (12.59). God also likes prostration as expression of thanks to Him (2.58). In an individual’s wealth his needy relatives have a right (17.26). Contracts must be fulfilled, these will be asked for (17.34). On the day of judgement no intercession will be accepted from anybody (2.48). One should fear only God, none else (16.51, 27.10, 28.31).
17. God talks of His great plan of networking the holiday humanity into prophetic communities and books to many of them (2.38). Before accepting a supplication God wishes the believer to exhaust all worldly effort (2.60). One is under divine command to lower the wings of humility to the parents (17.24). Before advising others for righteousness one should practice it oneself (2.44).
18. Out of one’s earning and wealth one should keep for self only as much as is required for comfortable life, balance should be incurred on others’ well being (2.219). Extended family and neighborhood are basic units of society for utilitarian proactivity (2.177, 4.36, 17.26, 30.38, 33.6, 47.22). Wealth must keep on circulating in the society rather than remaining confined in a few hands (59.7). Duly observe the rights of the wombs that bore you (4.1). God helps those who help His cause (22.40).
19. Thus, a visit to the Taj should not be limited to appreciating its temporal charm commemorating somatic love between two humans but it should encompass learning and cherishing the divine injunctions inscribed on the monument and thus imbibing qualities of head and heart thus making oneself a better human being and a more useful world citizen.
Nigaah-e Shauq
20. As per the Poet of the East, Dr Sir Mohammad Iqbal:
Kuchh aur hi nazar aata hai kaarobaar-e jahaan
Nigaah-e shauq agar ho shareek-e beenaee.
One finds the world to be an altogether different phenomenon,
When one includes Nigaah-e-Shauq in one’s canvas of perception.
(Iqbal’s concept of Nigaah-e-Shauq means perceiving Godly design in all that one sees.)
——
(Dr Syed Zafar Mahmood, President, Zakat Foundation of India zakatindia.org)
by admin | May 25, 2021 | News, Politics
New Delhi : The Supreme Court on Friday directed the Uttar Pradesh government to prepare a holistic plan for the protection and preservation of Taj Mahal and the environment around it so that historic monument could be there for another 400 years and not just for generations.
The bench of Justice Madan B. Lokur and Justice Deepak Gupta also termed as “ad hoc” the measures spelt out by the state government that are being taken or will be taken for the protection of the Taj Mahal and a clean environment around it.
The state government said that it had asked the School of Planning and Architecture to prepare the plan, but the court said this plan should involve experts in the field of culture, history, archaeology and other spheres.
“How can you keep out the people the country (in the preparation of the plan). This (plan making) can’t be closed door affair,” Justice Lokur said as Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta urged the bench that instead of experts, the court could ask for consultation with petitioner M.C. Mehta and advocate A.D.N.Rao, noting that that petitioner Mehta has 33 years experience in dealing with environment matters.
This monument has to be protected not for just one generation but for 300 to 400 years to come, the bench said.
As ASG Mehta told the court that November 27 communication by the Uttar Pradesh government says that the School of Planning and Architecture would prepare the plan in consultation with the stake holder, Justice Lokur quipped if stakeholder meant the “commissioner of Agra Division” and told him the court doesn’t want a bureaucratic plan but a holistic plan addressing the diverse aspects relating to the monument’s preservation and protection and the environment around it.
“They must consult the experts. There is no shortage of them. There is no hurry. No need for a bureaucratic response. We have seen what it (bureaucratic response) means from time to time,” the bench said.
“You can have an interim report. Don’t be in hurry. You are looking for something that has to last for 400 years,” said Justice Lokur.
Holding that “we have to look at it in a pragmatic way”, he said: “What is required is a larger look at the picture. Earlier we had five year plans with some objectives and goals.”
Referring to the Narendra Modi government’s goal of a new India by 2022, Justice Lokur said: “You can’t have a new India with your hands in pocket….”
Pointing out that 70 per cent of the trees being planted were perishing, the court said: “When you don’t have a plan and take ad hoc measures, then such things happen.”
Giving liberty to the School of Planning and Architecture to approach it for any clarification, the court adjourned the matter for eight weeks.
—IANS
by admin | May 25, 2021 | News, Politics
Agra : The Taj Mahal, one of the wonders of the world, is an architectural marvel and it doesn’t matter who constructed it, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Thursday.
“It is an architectural marvel built by the blood and sweat of the local people,” the Chief Minister told a public meeting here, once again distancing his government from BJP leaders who had dubbed the 17th century Mughal monument a “blot” on Indian culture.
Addressing the crowd at the GIC ground for more than an hour, he said his government would make all efforts to boost tourism-related activities so as to increase the duration of stay of the tourists in Agra and also to up the number of their arrivals.
Adityanath accused the previous government of not doing much for tourism promotion.
He said his government was firmly committed to developing the required infrastructure. At the same time, religious tourism would receive high priority in nearby Mathura and Vrindavan, he said.
—IANS
