INDIA
There are plans to restore the lost glory of a monument here known as the Taj Mahal, which is a grand structure in its own right
BHOPAL: There are plans to restore the lost glory of a monument here known as the Taj Mahal, which is a grand structure in its own right but has been facing neglect for decades unlike its namesake in Agra.
The Taj Mahal here was built by Shah Jahan Begum over 130 years ago for residential purposes. Incidentally, Bhopal was a rare Muslim state to be ruled by four women monarchs in succession.
"The renovation work of the Taj Mahal would be undertaken soon to restore the lost grandeur of this great monument," Madhya Pradesh Culture Minister Laxmikant Sharma said after a visit to the Nawabi era monument here.
"An action plan would be chalked out and discussed with various department heads in the district."
The monument has been in danger of being erased from the heritage map of Madhya Pradesh. However, its maintenance and renovation could be on the cards soon.
"So far the culture department has been doing renovation work of several Nawabi-era buildings of archaeological value from its own funds but now the help of other departments will also be sought.
"A proposal will also be sent to the union government seeking total restoration of this sprawling building complex which has come to be known as the Taj Mahal," he said.
The complex, once called the 'Raj Mahal', has elaborate stone-pillar arches, with the ceilings having iron rings where coloured glass lamps used to be hung once upon a time.
"When the British Resident called on Shah Jahan Begum, he was so impressed with its architecture that he looked around with admiration and remarked that this splendid palace should be known as the 'Taj Mahal'. After all, it is the creation of Shah Jahan Begum. Thereafter, the Raj Mahal was renamed Taj Mahal," recalls an old timer.
Today large parts of the heritage complex have collapsed. Its ceiling near the entrance has buckled and the huge garden with a complex of palaces and covered walkways have disintegrated. As a result, one can easily see narrow bricks peering out of wherever the plaster has peeled off or the walls have caved in.
After renovation, the culture department plans to hold programmes there so that people can be introduced to the grandeur of the building, whose construction began in 1871 and ended in 1884.
The monument constructed as her royal palace by Shah Jahan Begum had at that time cost Rs.3 million. The six-storeyed building had 120 rooms - all different from one another in colour scheme and decoration - and eight large halls.
Though much of Bhopal's architecture is said to bear the Mughal, French, British, Rajasthani, Persian, Arabic and Islamic designs, the ruins of the Taj Mahal distinctly reflect Islamic architecture.
The begum married Baqi Muhammad Khan, a nobleman of Bhopal and became his third wife in 1855. Four years after Muhammad Khan's death in 1867, she married Sadiq Hasan Khan of Bareilly in then United Provinces.
After India's independence, a few members of the royal family lived at the Taj Mahal. But since they had no money for repairs, gradually they all moved away, leaving the palace at nature's mercy.
After S Jaishankar's conference, India slams Canada for action against Australian news channel
Sidhu Moosewala's parents share NEW pic of his baby brother, netizens say 'so cute'
‘It definitely does a lot of good to my ego’: Aishwarya Rai gets candid in film promotion interview
Ignored for Australia Tests, India star slams sensational Ranji Trophy double ton
Interviewer asks Aishwarya Rai ‘how do you look so fab’, she says…
How Biden’s Lame-Duck Period Could Influence Policy Decisions After Choosing Not to Run in 2024
Watch: Viral video shows heated argument between passengers in Delhi metro
Virat Kohli's 'new chapter for me' post ahead of Border-Gavaskar Trophy sends internet into frenzy
Mukesh Ambani, India's richest man, donated over Rs 400 crore in one year, Gautam Adani gave Rs...
Delhi: Air pollution in national capital spike during Chhath Puja, AQI reaches 'severe' level
AUS vs PAK Live Streaming: When and where to watch Australia vs Pakistan 2nd ODI live in India?
'I gain weight as body...' Arjun Kapoor reveals being diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease
Stark Visas: The Best Immigration Consultant in Delhi Sets Immigration Dreams High in Ahmedabad
KREEVA targets top 1% elite for its ultra-luxury homes in Delhi-NCR’s prime locations
Tata Group acquires another company for over Rs 18 crore days after Noel Tata joins board
WPL 2025 Retentions: Full list of players retained and released by all 5 franchises
ED raids main vendors of Amazon, Flipkart across multiple cities, including Delhi, Mumbai due to...
Anil Ambani suffers major setback, his company banned for 3 years due to...
Meet woman, a cuddler, professional hugger, earns Rs 7400 in 1 hour, she is...
Meet teen who started working from garage, now set to make Rs 25 crore at just 16 from...
Viral video: Slum children recreate Sabyasachi bridal wear, designer reacts; WATCH
Missing Home on Chhath Puja: Yearning and significance behind Bihar’s holy festival
Chhath Puja 2024 Day 4: Usha Arghya date, timings of sunrise, puja rituals, significance and more
Ricky Ponting wants Babar Azam to follow Virat Kohli's footsteps for THIS reason
Elon Musk's net worth surges by Rs 2193295096200 in a day after...
Meet India's richest female YouTuber, left teaching job, has Rs 43 crore net worth, now works as...
This fruit is called non-vegetarian, it is...
Meet man who was India's biggest con artist, he sold Taj Mahal, Rashtrapati Bhawan, Red Fort...
Nita Ambani reveals husband Mukesh Ambani follows a strict diet, here's what he eats
'Tu jhuti woh makkar': Influencer accuses 10-year-old of groping her; narrates ordeal in viral video
Richa Chadha, Ali Fazal name their daughter, Zuneyra Ida Fazal; it means...
After returning as President, what will happen to cases against Donald Trump? Know here
25-year-old turns temple thief, steals ornaments worth Rs 78 lakh for...
Why Mahindra XUV700 is perfect for road trips and off-road adventures
Mahindra Scorpio N: A legacy of toughness with a modern twist
'Capable of loving more women': Kamal Haasan's bold take on marriage and relationships goes viral
How reaction time and speed tests can give gamers a competitive edge
This is world’s most polluted city with AQI of 1165, it’s just 409 kms away from Delhi
Blow to Gautam Adani as his company's shares fell 7% due to...
Pune Porsche crash: Father of teen driver's friend surrenders before court
Geographic and political nature of drug trafficking sea routes to India
Delhi AQI Update: Air quality turns 'severe', AQI reaches...
Mukesh Ambani's SUPERHIT new plan for Jio users, offers 100 GB of free cloud storage for just Rs...
Delhi-Mumbai expressway to slash travel time to 25 minutes: Key stretch to open on...
'Modi govt is committed to building terror-free India': Union Minister Amit Shah
Chhath Puja 2024: What is the importance of bamboo basket in Chhath Puja?
SC to deliver verdict today on plea against NCLAT order transferring Jet Airways to winning bidder
Is it time for Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma to step down from playing Test cricket?
Chhath Puja 2024: Are banks open or closed today? Check state-wise list here