Emperor Shah Jahan, who reigned when Mughal India was at the zenith of its creativity, left behind a great many architectural masterpieces. But none can rival the splendour of the Taj Mahal which he built in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. For over three centuries this extraordinary marble memorial has spun its magic, inspiring poets and writers to eulogize its pristine beauty.
Today it stands as one of the world's great pilgrimage places, a cool vision of shimmering domes and minarets reflectively gazing down on the still waters of the Yamuna river. This volume of Raghu Rai's photographic portraits of the Taj Mahal blends the romance with reality, combining India's timeless life, light and landscape with surrealistic glimpses of the world's most remarkable monument to love. |
