The year was 1607 and a momentous year for Prince Khurram, a favored son of Emperor Jahangir. He was a young fine-looking prince adapted to luxury and elegance. Even at 15, young Khurram cut a dashing figure with his father's aristocratic nose, high forehead and large languid eyes. Every maid at the bazaar carried a torch for him and longed for his interest.

The astrologers determined 1612 as auspicious date for Khurram's union with Arjumand. By now he was 20, and she was 19. It was a grand wedding that befitted an Emperor's son. Jahangir and Khurram rode in procession, surrounded by nobles, musicians and dancers, acrobats, rare animals in cages, slaves and priests. Jahangir himself adorned Khurram with the wedding wreath of pearls. On the bride, he bestowed great honors. Compassionate, generous and demure she was celebrated by poets as a beauty that put the moon in shades. She was always together with Khurram eve orated as Mumtaz Mahal (The Light of the Palace).

He built sumptuous palaces for her, for instance, the Khas Mahal in Agra fort in an entourage when he went to battlefields. In her 19 years of marriage, she bore him 14 children, 7 of who died in infancy. After Jahangir's death Khurram assumed the throne as Shah Jahan (The Emperor of the World) and Arjumand Banu was dec. She daily rose in his confidence eventually giving her the authority of the royal seal, Muhr Uzah. She continually interceded on behalf of petitioners and gave allowances to widows and orphans. Mumtaz Mahal died in childbirth in 1630 in the Deccan where she had gone accompanying Shah Jahan as he went to war and she lay on her deathbed, it is said that she whispered to him to build for her a monument that would symbolize the beauty of their love. For weeks Shah Jahan remained behind closed doors in grief. As a compliment to a beautiful woman and as a monument to lasting love, the Taj was conceived. The main gate is like a veil to a woman's face, which should be lifted delicately, gently and without haste on the wedding night. This is the inspiration that the great Emperor and builder had in mind when he planned the Taj Mahal.