About Precious Stones and Shrines

Another remarkable Indian shrine is the Taj, Agra, built by the Emperor Shah Jehan, as a mausoleum for the Empress Mumtazi Mahal, or Taj-Bibi, who died in giving birth to the Princess Jehanara. It was commenced in 1630, and completed in 1647. Twenty thousand workmen were employed during these seventeen years. Each province of the empire contributed precious stones for its adornment; the jasper came from Punjaub, the carnelian from Broach, the turquoise from Tibet, the agates from Yemen, lapis-lazuli from Ceylon, coral from Arabia, garnets from Bundelcund, diamonds from Punnah, rock-crystal from Mulwa, onyx from Persia, chalcedonies from Asia Minor, sapphires from Colombo. The total cost of this work was about two millions.

In one of his expeditions into Hindostan, Mahmud the Gaznevide, one of the greatest of the Turkish princes, levelled many hundred temples or pagodas to the ground. The pagoda of Sumnat, situated on the promontory of Guzzarat, contained an idol which the Brahmins who attended on it declared would overwhelm the impious stranger who should approach the holy precincts. Mahmud derided this superstition; fifty thousand worshippers of the idol were killed by the Moslems, the sanctuary was profaned, and the conqueror aimed a blow of his iron mace at the head of the false god. The trembling Brahmins are said to have offered ten millions sterling for its ransom, but Mahmud repeated his blows, and a treasure of pearls and rubies concealed in the statue fell out, and explained the devout prodigality of the Brahmins.