The first unobstructed view of the Taj Mahal from the Darwaza-e-Rauza (Grand Gateway) is one of the most recognized images of India. However, had Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan’s original vision remained intact the image would have looked completely different.
Today’s manicured lawns, which follow the Char Bagh design, the original layout had abundant fruit trees and flower beds to create a lush garden based on the Quran’s vision of paradise. It was Lord Curzon who had the trees cut down to cater to more European sensibilities during his tenure as Viceroy of India.
Erich Kipps’ Taj Mahal
Photo Credit: Courtesy DAG
While you can still read about the Mughal Emperor’s Paradise Garden in textual descriptions of the period, DAG presents a visual narrative through more than 200 photographs, illustrations and postcards dating from the 18th to the mid-20th century. Curated by historian Rana Safavi, the collection of Company School paintings along with works by foreign and modern Indian artists takes visitors through the Taj Mahal and its complex over the years.
Topic Silent eloquence of Taj MahalIt sometimes tells the story of the mausoleum by zooming into the floral language expressed through the beautiful pietra dura inlay work on the tomb or by taking a macro view of how the Taj cast its shadow over Agra. The exhibition gives the Taj a ‘speaking’ space for visitors, offering them an in-depth look at its stunning architecture, its history of imperial ambition and its enduring love story – all while remaining a silent sentinel.
Detail of pietra dura work on the tomb of Shah Jahan in the Taj Mahal by the Agra artist (Company School). Photo Credit: Courtesy DAG
marius bauer’s Indian Palace (Indian palace | Entrance gate of Taj Mahal) | Photo Credit: Courtesy DAG
Interior of the Taj Mahal by an artist (Company School) from Agra Photo Credit: Courtesy DAG
speak design
Rana says he took inspiration from Shah Jahan’s court historian Abdul Hamid Lahauri, who talked about the ‘silent eloquence’ of ‘Rauza-e Munawwara’ (the illuminated tomb) to curate the show. She shows how the tomb’s design and details, such as the careful selection of quotations Quran And the decorative flowers that decorate it, such as the inverted tulip used to denote sadness, tell us about the beliefs and aspirations of the people who built it 7th Wonder of the world.
Top of the tomb of Shahjahan by an artist of Agra (Company School). Photo Credit: Courtesy DAG
Tomb of Shahjahan (Company School) by an artist from Agra. Photo Credit: Courtesy DAG
After studying the Taj Mahal as a student, Rana began reading and researching it once again when she was studying Sufism (and learning that Shah Jahan was trained as a Sufi, who highly valued life after death). “The design of the Taj Mahal is based on the Islamic view of morality, the theme of resurrection and divine harmony.” paradise [paradise]Shah Jahan, who controlled almost a quarter of the world’s GDP at the time, planned to build a veritable ‘heaven on earth’ as the resting place for Mumtaz Mahal,” she explains. The exhibition takes us through the monument’s conception, construction and evolution (as envisioned by the emperor) to the Taj we know today as a symbol of romance.
Untitled (Last Days of Shahjahan) by an unknown artist (after Cecil Burns) Photo Credit: Courtesy DAG
Death of Shahjahan by Abanindranath Tagore. Photo Credit: Courtesy DAG
‘The Taj Story’ released
Coincidentally, the exhibition coincides with the release of story of taajThe film stars Paresh Rawal and is based on the book by author PN Oak which argues that the tomb was originally a Shiva temple. A line in the film says, “The Taj Mahal is not a symbol of love, but a symbol of tyranny and genocide,” and this has sparked discussion over the monument – its Hindu motifs, such as urn, And PILs filed in the Allahabad High Court on 22 rooms in the basement of the monument that remain hidden from public view – despite claims by the ASI to release the photographs in 2022.
poster of story of taaj Starring Paresh Rawal Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
In a time of historical revisionism and heritage politics, when chapters on Mughal history are being removed from Class VII NCERT textbooks, cities are being renamed to “restore” their ancient identities, and even the Taj has become contested territory, the exhibition is a form of public scholarship. Commenting on the film’s release and the controversy surrounding it, Safavi says, “My style is never to contradict anyone or fight anyone. I just state the facts.” “The court poets of the Mughals were very meticulous in record keeping and their works contain detailed descriptions of the Taj Mahal, the land it stands on, and why that particular location was chosen.” She also says that this mausoleum is the pinnacle of Indo-Islamic architecture and hence it has such features urn Are a part of its design.
Taj Mahal, Agra (Unknown Photographer) | Photo Credit: Courtesy DAG
LN Taskar’s Untitled (Taj Mahal) | Photo Credit: Courtesy DAG
So, while the 400-year-old monument remains the silent narrator and spectator, perhaps we should look at the exhibition and make up our own minds.
,‘The Mute Eloquence of the Taj Mahal’ continues at DAG till December 6.
published – November 07, 2025 07:17 am IST