A Teardrop on the Cheek of Time: The Story of the Taj Mahal (50 page)

After becoming emperor, Shah Jahan is reunited with his sons
.

Dara Shukoh’s wedding procession, 1633
.

Moghul women enjoying fireworks
.

Building the soaring main gateway to the Red Fort at Agra
.

TOP LEFT TO RIGHT:
Humayun’s tomb, Delhi; central column, Akbar’s audience chamber, Fatehpur Sikri
. BOTTOM LEFT TO RIGHT:
Gateway to Akbar’s tomb, Sikandra; royal quarters, Burhanpur fort
.

The Taj Mahal seen from the Mahtab Bagh (Moonlight Garden)
.

Moghul jade-hilted dagger, jewelled pendant and jade wine cup
.

Table of Contents

Cover

About the Book

Title

Copyright

Dedication

Acclaim for A Teardrop on the Cheek of Time

About the Author

Also by Diana and Michael Preston

Acknowledgements

Genealogy

Map

Prologue

1 ‘A Place of Few Charms’

2 Allah Akbar

3 ‘Peerless Pearls and Heart-pleasing Stuffs’

4 The Warrior Prince

5 Emperor in Waiting

6 Chosen One of the Palace

7 The Peacock Throne

8 ‘Build for Me a Mausoleum’

9 ‘Dust of Anguish’

10 ‘The Builder Could Not Have Been of This Earth’

11 ‘This Paradise-like Garden’

12 The Illumined Tomb

13 ‘The Sublime Throne’

14 ‘Sharper than a Serpent’s Tooth’

15 Fall of the Peacock Throne

16 ‘His Own Tomb on the Other Side of the River’

Postscript

Bibliography

Notes and Sources

Illustration Credits