Romantic Travel films Presents: in association with Franklin Sahu Film Productions, “This is India Series”. “The Taj Mahal”. No. 2 “Around the World in Color Series”. Produced and directed by Peter Franklin. Associate producer, Gyan Chand Jain. Photography Franklin – Newland. Sound recording Arthur G. Taylor. Continuity J. M. E. Davey. Music composed by Shanker Dass Gupta. Narrated by: Ian Newland. This is a 1960s era, color movie that reviews the beautiful Taj Mahal and neighboring cities. The film opens in front of the Lauries Hotel 1:00. Agra, the city of the great Taj Mahal 1:10. The Taj Mahal was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died in childbirth. Car arrives at the Taj Mahal 1:45. The entrance of the Taj Mahal 2:00. The mausoleum, the Taj Mahal itself is reflected in the water 2:53. Spacious gardens surround the building 3:15. Caretakers tend to the building 3:38. Sightseers visit the Taj Mahal 4:00. As a mark of respect, canvas shoe covers are attached to visitors’ shoes 4:36. The walls are inscribed with text from the holy Koran 5:00. Beautiful etchings in the marble 5:17. A marble screen that took 10 years to create displays flowers inlaid with minute stones 5:58. 8 feet high and carved from solid slabs of pure white marble, the screen is a true work of art 6:21. Inscribed: “He is the everlasting : He is sufficient;” and the following line from the Koran – “God is He, besides whom there is no God. He knoweth what is concealed and what is manifest. He is merciful and compassionate.” On one side of it – “Nearer unto God are those who say, ‘Our Lord is God.'” The Taj Mahal is seen in moonlight 7:21. Descendants of the laborers that built the Taj Mahal live and work on site 7:38. Primitive tools are still used 7:50. Artisans work to inlay precious stones 8:03. The men shape stones; lapis lazuli, jade, agate, onyx, aquamarine, turquoise and others 8:46. The men repair a plaque with inlaid stones that was harmed by vandals 9:05. Laborers work by hand in red sandstone making ornate designs 9:25. The river in front of the Taj Mahal was meant to be crossed by a bridge of silver with the tomb for Shah Jahan on the other side 10:40. It was to be designed of black marble and of the same design. The foundations can still be seen but he died before it could be realized. He is buried with his wife 10:53. View of the Taj Mahal through a telescope 11:04. View from the top of one of the minarets 11:25. The Yamuna River flows behind the Taj Mahal. Camels and donkeys provide transportation 12:11. Agra Fort is a historical fort in the city of Agra in India. It was the main residence of the emperors of the Mughal Dynasty until 1638. Founded in 1565. Abu’l-Fath Jalal-ud-din Muhammad Akbar popularly known as Akbar the Great, and also as Akbar I, was the third Mughal emperor who reigned from 1556 to 1605. Walls of the fort 13:00. Shah Jahan was imprisoned in later life by his son and spent the rest of the time at this private palace 13:06. Latticework in sandstone 13:30. The Jasmine Tower 13:47. A jade jewel in an inlaid flower on the wall at Fort Agra; when looked into, a perfect reflection of the Taj can be seen across the river 14:18. Shah Jahan dies in December 1666. The Itmad-ud-Daulah’s Tomb is one of the most impressive architectural wonders of the city of Agra 14:40. The mausoleum was commissioned by Nur Jahan, the wife of Jahangir, for her father Mirzā Ghiyās Beg 15:00. The bird man with trained birds performs tricks 16:00. Snake charmer, 16:20. City of Fatehpur Sikri, irrigation system 17:21. The Gate of Victory, inlaid with white marble 17:38. Boys jump into deep tank from the building walls to delight tourists 18:15. Tomb of white marble covered in mother-of-pearl 18:40. Through the Elephant Gate to the Elephant Tower 19:00. Imitation stone tusks protrude from the walls 19:20. The Mughal emperor Akbar played live chess in the courtyard of his palace 19:30. Shoes of horses and buffalo killed in battle adorn a wall 20:00. A final look at the Taj Mahal 20:40. Presented for your enjoyment by Brooke Bond. The End.
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