A Visit To A Historical Place

I was a teenager and the thought of going to a place of historical importance was disappointing. I had no choice. The tickets were booked for Agra. It was a short visit to see various sites, the Taj Mahal being the major attraction. I wondered why everyone was so excited; after all, we had seen it on television a number of times.

We reached as per schedule. The evening would take us to the Taj Mahal. I was sulking at the prospect of having to answer questions which my father was bound to ask. Before long, I passed through the main entrance of the Taj Mahal and there it was- majestic and breathtakingly beautiful. I was mesmerized by its beauty and grandeur. The stretch of lawns and the pool with the pavements on either side leading up to the mausoleum was very appealing. We clicked snaps as does every tourist on their arrival. As I strolled along, my eagerness grew. The four towering minarets I was told, in case of a misfortunate collapse, would fall outwards so as not to damage the main structure. The tomb was a magnificent sight. The Yamuna added grace to the scene. The Agra Fort was visible and we were told that Shah Jahan could see the Taj from the confines of his prison there. The interiors showed great craftsmanship and looked beautiful even though the gemstones and the Lapis Lazuli were long gone. The tombs were ornately done. I began to imagine what that era would be like.

We enjoyed the visits to Fatehpur Sikri, Agra Fort and Sikandra but the Taj Mahal stood tall- Shah Jahan’s token of love for his dear wife, Mumtaz Mahal. This one trip made me change my approach towards history.

Questions

• Write an essay on one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
• Make sentences of your own: Mausoleum, mesmerized, etched, grandeur