2010.12.04: Behind The Shades Of India

Yesterday I got introduced to a part of India that wasn’t dirty, smelly, noisy or simply downright hideous. I got to tour Agra Fort and it was absolutely marvellous. Today India became even more exciting as I visited the Taj Mahal. Unaware of topography when I was little (actually I still am) I thought this mausoleum was the ultimate thousand-and-one-night castle. I imagined Scheherazade sitting at a window, telling her stories about Ali Baba, while she now and then glanced at her predecessors’ bloody heads, which were displayed on lances along the calm water. Nowadays I, of course, think I know better.

Now I like to believe that a Mogul ruler build the tomb out of love for his deceased wife. Because he didn’t want anything else to be build as beautiful as his wife’s last resting palace, he cut of both hands of its main architect. What a cruel love that was. The Mogul ruler’s son was less mean, or maybe not. Because, after a few years, he did imprison his father in the Agra Fort and took over his reign. Being a good son though, he gave him access to a private mosque and kept him in the highest tower. From there his father could oversee the Taj Mahal and yearn for his beloved wife. An encyclopedia will do a far better job explaining this, or use Wikipedia if you must.

Anyway, here are a few pictures you might enjoy:

Agra Fort:

Taj Mahal:

I’ve managed to bury the cable, which connects my camera and laptop and allows them to exchange sparks of happiness, somewhere in the deep belly of my backpack. At least that’s where I think it is. Basically, I’ll first go to a place I cannot pronounce tonight and from there I’ll go to Dehradun. Once there I’ll allow my bag to explode on a comfy empty bed and will conduct a search for that tiny wire.

...

Found it!

Click here for an overview of all posts about my time in India
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