Ek Shahenshah Ne Banake Yeh Haseen Tajmahal Ham Gareebon Ki Mohabbat Ka Udaya Hai Mazak.., a photo by firoze shakir photographerno1 on Flickr.
The Taj Mahal is a subject of many Urdu poems and film songs, and much to my surprise, they're not all complimentary.
This is the standard line, from a very beautiful song written by Shakeel Badayuni:
"Ek Shahanshaah Ne Banavaa Ke Hasi.N Taajamahal
Saarii Duniyaa Ko Muhabbat Kii Nishaanii Dii Hai"
(In having the beautiful Taj Mahal built, an emperor has given the whole world a token of love"
Here is Sahir Ludhianvi's take:
Ek shahanshah ne bana ke haseen Taj Mahal, hum garibon ki mohabbat ka hai udaya mazak’
"In building the beautiful Taj Mahal, an emperor has made a joke of the love of us poor ones..."
