Taj Mahal: Relegation and Eventual Redemption

Zakir writes in his diary, ''Iss khabar kay saath hee Taj Mahal ki giri howee saakh yakayuk bahal ho gaye warna hum yeh tae kar chukay thay keh Taj Mahal say aur iss tarikh say jis nay Taj Mahal ko janum diya hai, Pakistan ka koi rishta nahi hai'' (166)


The Taj Mahal, the archetypal symbol of Mughal glory and Muslim-ness, is removed from the national narrative precisely because it does not fall within the physical space designated as Pakistan. The failure of a specialized 'Muslim' space to inculcate its own symbols is something that the Pakistani national narrative does not address. It is then conveniently - and collectively (''hum yeh tae'') - not given a place in Pakistani nationalism. The war provides an opportunity for miracles - and one such miracle is the destruction of Agra airport despite the blackout. The bombardment owes its success to the white gleam of the Taj Mehal which is seen by the pilots and used to navigate towards the airport. Though the symbol had been relegated by the Pakistani Muslims, it proves to be instrumental to their success - redeeming itself once again. Another implication of this incident is perhaps that despite the darkness, the Muslim is able to acknowledge and recognize a Muslim symbol.

Perhaps I'm guilty of extending this argument too far, but this incident can also be seen under the wider framework of Hussain's treatment of electricity and darkness. Abba Jan seems to suggest that electricity is not compatible with his ideal Muslim existence. Artificial light then becomes something that is contradictory to a pious - and glorious - Muslim existence. It is precisely when the lights are off that the Taj Mahal becomes a sort of miraculous guiding force for the Muslims.

The same passage also presents an interesting contrast between old and new buildings. Modern structures such as the ''pseudo-Taj Mahal'' - ''jhota-sacha Taj Mahal'' (166) have been propped up in the place of the Imperial Hotel. There is a strong suggestion that these newer structures are meaningless - a perpetual state of war does not allow them to grow old and obtain ''dignity''. The airport itself can be seen as an architectural and technological expression of modernity, science and 'rationality' that is annihilated due to the Taj Mahal - which seems to represent history, tradition and a power to resist attempts at hiding it.

The Taj Mahal then redeems itself for two reasons - it brings about the triumph of Muslims as well as the triumph of traditional architecture over modernity.