The Real Name: Tejo Mahalaya – Not Taj Mahal

The word ‘Taj Mahal’ is not found in any Mughal document, including the Badshahnama, Shah Jahan’s official chronicle. Shah Jahan referred to it as a “Rauza” (grave), not a palace. And how do we explain the suffix “Mahal”? The term ‘Mahal’ has no place in Islamic architecture, appearing nowhere else in Islamic structures across the world. But it is commonly used in Sanskrit-based Indian architecture.

Oak argues the name is a distortion of Tejo Mahalaya, meaning “The Great Abode of Teja” (Lord Shiva). The building was originally called Agreshwar Mahadev Nagnatheshwar Temple, a shrine to Shiva, the Lord of Agra.

Historical Testimonies and Mughal Chronicles

According to Badshahnama (page 403, vol. 1), Shah Jahan took possession of a grand palace in Agra from Raja Jai Singh. This structure already had the dome, towers, and marble foundation, which he repurposed as Mumtaz’s burial chamber.

Even Aurangzeb, in a letter to his father dated 1652, states the structure was “old and leaking”, indicating it existed well before Mumtaz’s death in 1631. This completely contradicts the narrative that the monument was constructed between 1631 and 1653.

Architecture Speaks: Features of a Temple, Not a Tomb

Let’s examine the anatomy of the Taj Mahal:

• Trident (Trishul) on the central dome – a symbol of Shiva.
  
  
• Sacred OM carved into stone in the sanctum.
  
  
• 108 water pot motifs on the marble lattice – a number sacred in Hinduism.
  
  
• Basement with sealed rooms allegedly containing idols and ancient artifacts.
  
  
• Orientation and design consistent with Vedic temple architecture, not Islamic tomb design.
  
  
• Presence of a large hall, multiple floors, water channels, garden layout, guest houses, stables, and defensive walls—more fitting for a royal palace or temple complex than a simple tomb.
  
  

Religious Practices That Survived

The tradition of removing shoes before entering the main platform of the Taj is rooted in Hindu customs, not Islamic ones. Cemeteries in Islamic tradition do not require such rituals.

Furthermore, the citizens of Agra historically worshipped at five Shiva temples, of which one was lost after the Mughal conquest—likely the Agreshwar Mahadev temple, now known as the Taj Mahal.

Documented Evidence: Ignored or Suppressed?

• French traveler Tavernier never described the Taj being constructed from scratch. He only mentioned it was beautified.
  
  
• A letter from Aurangzeb confirms that the monument was already old and in need of repairs during Shah Jahan’s reign.
  
  
• ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) officials and masons who’ve worked in the Taj complex have unofficially admitted seeing Hindu idols, inscriptions, and even a Shiva Lingam, now hidden from public view.
  
  
• P.N. Oak’s research includes photos, translations, and ancient records affirming the structure’s Hindu origin.
  
  

Why Hide the Truth?

The suppression of India’s spiritual and historical heritage was a colonial and post-colonial agenda. British historians and then secular Indian historians avoided topics that revived Indian civilizational pride. Labeling the Taj Mahal as an Islamic tomb suited the narrative of the glorious Mughal Empire, minimizing Hindu contributions and erasing Vedic legacy.

Moreover, religious sensitivities make it a hotbed for controversy. If Taj Mahal is indeed a Shiva temple, it raises massive political and social questions.

Is Tejo Mahalaya One of the 12 Jyotirlingas?

Oak and several researchers argue that Taj Mahal is Nagnatheshwar, one of the lost Jyotirlingas. The cobra carvings and the name itself (Agreshwar – the Lord of Agra) lend credibility. The Vishwakarma Vastushastra also mentions a Tej Linga, which would have matched this structure’s sanctum.

Critics and Controversy

Mainstream historians dismiss Oak’s claims as conspiracy theories, but many agree that there are unanswered questions about the Taj’s origins. The Government of India refuses to open the 22 sealed rooms beneath the structure, intensifying the mystery.

If it’s truly a tomb, what harm lies in inspection? Why keep parts of a “public monument” locked for centuries?

The Call for Truth and Justice

India stands at a crossroads. Millions revere the Taj as a symbol of eternal love, but should truth be sacrificed for romanticism? If the monument is indeed a desecrated temple, shouldn’t history books reflect that?

This isn’t just about reclaiming a structure—it’s about reclaiming a stolen narrative, one that has robbed generations of Indians of their civilizational pride.

Conclusion: Time to Reopen the Doors of Truth

Whether you believe the Taj Mahal is a tomb or a temple, you cannot deny the plethora of unanswered questions. The monument deserves a transparent, archaeological investigation. The sealed chambers must be opened. The carvings and artifacts must be studied objectively.

Let the truth of Tejo Mahalaya rise above politics and prejudice—because a civilization that forgets its past will remain forever in the shadows of lies.