Taj Mahal built on stolen property, says Subramanian Swamy

He said he has access to documents that suggest the property where Taj Mahal was built was stolen by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan from kings of Jaipur.

Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy on Wednesday alleged that the iconic Mughal wonder Taj Mahal was built was stolen property.

He said he has access to documents that suggest the property where Taj Mahal was built was stolen by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan from kings of Jaipur.

"There is evidence on record that Shah Jahan forced the Raja-Maharajas of Jaipur to sell this land on which Taj Mahal presently is standing, and he gave them a compensation of forty villages, which is nothing compared to the value of the property," Swamy told ANI.

Swamy added he will release the copies of the evidence to the media soon.

Subramanian Swamy

Swamy asserted that the documents also suggest that there was a temple on the property. But it is still not clear whether Taj Mahal was built after the demolition of a temple.

Sangeet Som

The Mughal wonder is at the centre of debate since BJP MLA Sangeet Som said it was built by traitors and could not be included in the Indian history. Pic courtesy: PTI

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath

After Sangeet Som raked up controversy, UP CM Adityanath joined the debate, saying that the Mughal monument is decidedly Indian. "It does not matter who built it (Taj Mahal) and for what reason; it was built by blood and sweat of Indian labourers," said Adityanath. Pic Courtesy: PTI

Congress party workers protest

Congress party workers shouting slogans against UP Chief Minister Yogi Adiyanath during a protest over the non-inclusion of Taj Mahal in the state government's ongoing and future tourism projects, in Allahabad on Wednesday. PTI Photo