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Synopsis

The Delhi High Court on Monday asked the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) to consider Hindu Sena's representation in a public interest litigation (PIL) petition seeking directions to the Central government to rectify the historical narrative surrounding the Taj Mahal.

Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Chetan Sharma, appearing for the Center, said that he will look into the issue. "He has certainly brought out very historical facts that are very interesting", the ASG added.

While asking the ASI to consider the Hindu Sena's representation made in January 2023, a division bench comprising Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela disposed of the PIL. 

The petition, filed by Surjit Singh Yadav, President of the Hindu Sena, through Advocates Shashi Ranjan Kumar Singh and Mahesh Kumar, contended that the Taj Mahal was originally the palace of Raja Man Singh and was later renovated by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan.

Yadav, the petitioner, sought specific directives from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the Central government, the National Archives of India, and the Uttar Pradesh government. He requested removal of historical inaccuracies concerning the construction of the Taj Mahal from textbooks and urged the ASI to conduct an investigation into the age of the structure and the existence of Raja Man Singh's palace.

In his plea, Yadav asserted that he has conducted extensive research on the Taj Mahal and emphasizes the importance of rectifying historical inaccuracies to provide the public with accurate information about the monument. He argued that various books about the Taj Mahal contain conflicting information, such as one book suggesting that Shah Jahan's wife was Aliya Begum with no mention of Mumtaz Mahal.

Additionally, Yadav referenced a book titled 'Taj Museum' by ZA Desai, which stated that Mumtaz Mahal's burial site was originally a mansion (manzil) belonging to Raja Man Singh. According to this account, this mansion was never demolished, and the present Taj Mahal structure is seen as a modification and refurbishment of Raja Man Singh's mansion.

The plea further asserted that the dead body of Mumtaz Mahal was initially interred under a temporary domed structure within the land premises of Raja Jai Singh, with no historical accounts confirming the demolition of Raja Man Singh's mansion to construct the Taj Mahal.

The petitioner also highlighted discrepancies in information provided by the ASI, noting that the official website contradicted itself by stating that Mumtaz Mahal's body was transferred to Agra for interment in the crypt of the Taj Mahal's main tomb six months after her death in 1631, while simultaneously claiming that the Taj Mahal was completed in 1648. Yadav argued that these conflicting statements need to be addressed.

Case Title: Surjt Singh Yadav v. UOI & Ors.