The following is an extract from Vikas Swarup's "Slumdog Millionaire" (Originally published as "Q & A"). The way he narrated one of the world's greatest love stories in the voice of a tour guide is so captivating that I decide to share this portion. Please read up more on his book! Fantastic!
"One day in the year 1607, Prince Khurram (Later conferred the title of Emperor Shah Jahan) of the royal Mughal household was strolling down Delhi's Meena Bazaar when he caught a glimpse of a girl selling silk and glass beads in a small booth. He was so entranced by her beauty that he fell in love with her then and there. Her real name was Arjumand Banu, but he gave her the new name of Mumtaz Mahal.
Khurram and Mumtaz were married in the year 1612, and over the next 18 years had 14 children together. Mumtaz was her husband's inseparable companion on all his journeys and military expeditions. She was his comrade, his counselor, and inspired him to acts of charity and benevolence toward the weak and the needy.
She died in childbirth on 7 June 1630 and it was when Mumtaz Mahal lay dying that she extracted 4 promises from the emperor: first, that he erect a monument to match her beauty; second, that he should not marry again; third, that he be kind to their children; fourth, that he visit the tomb on the anniversary of her death. Mumtaz's death left the emperor so heartbroken that his hair is said to have turned gray overnight. But so great was the emperor's love for his wife that he ordered the building of the most beautiful mausoleum on earth for her. Work started in 1631. It took 22 years and the combined effort of over 20 000 artisans and master craftsmen from Persia, the Ottoman Empire, and even Europe, and the result is what you see before you, the Taj Mahal."
Hair turning gray overnight? He must be devastated!
