We know much about Taj Mahal. It is said that the Taj Mahal was commissioned by Shah Jahan in 1631, to be built in the memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, a Persian Princess who died giving birth to their 14th child, Gauhara Begum. Construction of the Taj Mahal began in 1632. The imperial court documenting Shah Jahan's grief after the death of Mumtaz Mahal illustrate the love story held as the inspiration for Taj Mahal. The principal mausoleum was completed in 1643 and the surrounding buildings and garden were finished about five years late
Whereas, we are told that Minaret of Masoom Shah was commissioned by Mir Muhammad Masoom Shah Bakhri also known as Syed Nizamuddin Mir Muhammad Masoom Shah was a sixteenth-century Sindhi-muslim historian, physician and pharmacist from Bakhar, Sindh (modern-day Pakistan). He is known for writing a history of Sindh, Tarikh-i-Sind (also known as, Tarikh i Masumi, after the author), published in ca 1600. He was also a trusted lieutenant of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. In around 1595 he led Akbar's army in a battle against the Baluch stronghold of Sibi in Northwest Quetta, resulting in Baluchistan being annexed into the Mughal Empire. Subsequently, in 1598, he was appointed the governor of Sind and Sibi by Akbar.
Why he decided for construction Minaret at Sukkur city? Eminent Philosopher and Social Reformer Dayaram Gidumanl in his book “Something about Sindh” merits love story is a cause of construction of Minaret. He writes “The legend, as I have heard it, gains, at least, more consistency and coherence, by ascribing an adherent affection to Masoom Shah himself for a beautiful Hindu Lady. The lady refused to wed Mahommedan, but, finding the lover persistent to a troublesome degree, enjoined him the then Herculean task of building this Minaret of 200 feet high.
“He further writes that after the construction of the Minaret, “Accordingly, the next day, Mausam is climbing the winding the marmorean staircase of his own handiwork, to do her bidding. He reaches the terminal dome let and throws himself headlong down-a martyr to love. The care-taker of his tomb, however, assures me, that Mausam was not hurt at all by his prodigious fall- a super-human hand kept him from harm’s way and landed him safe on the solid ground”.
Therefore we can say that commissioning and construction of Taj Mahal at Agra and Minaret of Masoom Shah at Sukkur have wonderful story of love behind them. We know much about Taj Mahal but credit goes to Dayaram Gidumal who has thrown light on the context and the background of the construction of Minaret of Masoom Shah. [Dr. Dur Muhammad Pathan]
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