Travel from Home: A Historical Tour of the Taj Mahal, 1632 to Today (ONLINE)
Taught by Patty Hamrick
Patty Hamrick has an M.A. in Archaeological Anthropology from New York University. She has worked on excavations across Europe, Asia, and North America, including India, Cyprus, and Syria. She loves bringing her passion for the past to new people. You can follow her on twitter, @pluperfectpatty.
*This is a live online class via Zoom*
The coronavirus might have made it harder to travel, but now you can experience the beauty and legend of one of the seven wonders of the world right from your own quarantined living room!
The Taj Mahal was completed in 1653, an enduring monument to love from the Indian emperor Shah Jahan to his wife Mumtaz Mahal. In this class, you’ll learn about the history of the Mughal dynasty, the role of women in the politics of the Agra court, and Shah Jahan’s other architectural triumphs such as the gorgeous and nearby Agra Fort. We’ll look at how the Taj Mahal was built and the lesser-known but just as amazing features of the complex surrounding it.
While the story of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal ends in tragedy – with her death in childbirth and his being overthrown and imprisoned by their own son – their reign remains remembered as a period of unprecedented prosperity and peace. Their unforgettable Taj Mahal still stands as proof that love never dies.