The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-07-24
into her presence you submit to her
fascination"
In Honor of a Woman.

LA 11OAOE "a ~ SSVAAAAs
Even more wonderful than the Tai
itself is the reason for Its erection.
We Christians are apt to think of
best only, the sensual playthings OF
their islands. They may be d.
vorced at will and cast aside at the
least pretense for others moro beau
tiful. The Tai Mahal was built by
the Sultan Shah Jehan as monument
to his wife. This shah was mighty
monarch and his subjects were mil
lions. His income was something, like
100000 day, and he had palaces
ings and inlaid with jewels. He had
one of the most gorgeous courts ever
known. aud In. his harem were nine
nine wives. OF all these. however, he
loved only the bride of his boyhood.
the fair NIuntaz Mahal. for whom this
building was made He married her
before he came to the throne and his
relations with her were the ideal ones
OF the Christian husband and wife.
He was true to her and they lived
happily together for seventeen years.
At the end OF that time Muntaz died.
and Shah Jehan went into mourning.
His grief was such that his hair be-
came white within few weeks. Dur
ing that time he denied himself to
courtiers and for two years refused
oil the pleasures of life. Every Fri
day, which is the Mohammedan Sun
day. he visited his wtfe's grave. and
over it read the prayers for the dead.
A little later he began this con-
struction OF this temple and tomb, en-
ploying an italian architect to make
| the designs. The work was begun
within two years after the death OF
N1untaz Mahal, and for twenty-five
years 10000 workmen were daily en-
labor was forced and they received
only their food for their pay. and of
that they we're cheated by the, graf
| tiers of their times. The materials
used were marble nd sandstone. which
come from the state guarries. and
the precious stones. gold and silver
and mother-of-pearl, used for the In
laying, were gifts OF rajahs and 9th
ers. Nevertheless. the structure cost
all told something like ssb.0oo.0o0. or
four times as much as our most beau
tiful government building, the Ma
| tIonal Library at Washington. The
marble screen which I have described
cost $4,000, and 1t took ten years to
make It. Originally 1t had door OF
Jasper, the work upon which cost So
900. but this was changed to a screen
OF pure gold set with gems Wnlcn
cost more than 100000.
After the structure was completed
Shah Jehan set aside the revenue o.
thirty villages to keep 1T IN order. ana
! he covered his wires sarcophagus
with q pail embroidered with pearls
The records say that he mourned for
this woman to the day Of his death
| and that she had a. great influence
upon his life She was his compan-
Ion and friend. He consulted with
her on state affairs and trusted hel
with the royal seal and took her
along with him on one OF his mill
tary campaigns. She was noted 10Y
her beauty and charity. and 1t IS sait
sr toms e a nre now th
rinety-nine names OF God from thu
Koran and various Mohammedaf
!! texts. She Is perhaps best remem
bered of all Mohammedan women, ant
monument. A famous traveller wht
i passed through here. In writing O.
the Tai said;
IT asked my wife at the close o
our visit what, she thought OF tht
building" II cannot" said she. tel
/ you what I think, for I know no
4 how to criticize such building, bu
i can tell you how feel. ] Woule
die tomorrow to have such another
over me-"
The Palace of tho MoEuls.
j During my stay here and at Delh
4 have gone through many OF thu
palaces Of these Mogul emperors o
400 and 500 years ago. Their ruins
are scattered throughout this part O
India and some Of the buildings arr
still almost in perfect condition
Others are battered and falling t
pieces The great fort hare at AEra
built by them. has walls seventy Zee
high and more than o mile long
has massive sandstone gates 1nIalt
with marble and richly carved. II
Interior has an area equal to a good
sized farm and it's walls inclose tn
palaces. which surpassed In thei
. splendor the descriptions Of Moor
and Bryon OF the Elories OF the Orient
: Many or YOU have visited the 1eWele,
: Chamber in the palace or Frederick
the Great ut Portsdam. outside Der
lin. 1t was erected by that monarch
! when his treasury was low, With n, q
: create the Impression that he ha