The Language of the Taj Mahal

Michael Calabria is Director of the Center for Arab and Islamic Studies at the Franciscan Institute, St Bonaventure University, New York, U.S where he is also Associate Professor of Arab and Islamic Studies. He has published in the journals South Asia: Journal of South Asian Studies and Journal of Religion and Film. He completed his PhD at the Arab and Islamic Studies Centre, University of Exeter, UK.

List of Illustrations

Preface & Acknowledgements

Notes on Translation, Transliteration and Dates


Part One: Historical Background

I. The Prince and the Calligrapher

II. The Emperor and the Calligrapher

Part Two: The Texts of the Taj Mahal
The Great Gate (Southern Façade)

III. Return to Your Lord: al-Fajr

The Mausoleum Exterior

IV. The Trumpet Will Sound: Ya Sin

V. Where Are You Going? al-Takwir

VI. The Graves Are Shaken: al-Infi?ar

VII. You Will Meet Your Lord: al-Inshiqaq

VIII. God Is Well Pleased: al-Bayyinah

The Mausoleum Interior

IX. Look Again! al-Mulk

X. A Seed Sends Forth Its Shoot: al-Fat?

XI. A Reward for You: al-Insan

XII. Turn to Your Lord: al-Zumar (39.53-54)

XIII. The Cenotaphs

Upper Cenotaph: al-Fu??ilat 41.30
al-Mum’min 40.7-8
al-Mu?affin 83.22-28
al-Baqarah 2.286
al-Hash 59.22

Lower Cenotaph: al-Zumar 39.53
Al Imran 3.185
al-Mu’minun 23.118
al-?ashr 59.22
al-‘Asma’ al-?usna

The Mosque

XIV. Purify Your Soul: al-Shams & al-Ikhla?

The Great Gate (Northern Façade)

XV. The Future Will Be Better: al-?u?a

XVI. With Hardship There is Comfort: al-Shar?

XVII.Why Do You Deny Faith? al-Tin

Part Three: Conclusion

XVIII. The Religion of Shah Jahan

Chronology

Glossary

Bibliography

Indexes
1. Index of Persons

2. General Index

3. Qur’anic Citations