Islamic trust files claim for Taj Mahal

An Islamic trust today claimed ownership of India’s Taj Mahal and demanded a slice of tourist revenue from the 17th-century monument, but the government-run group charged with its upkeep since 1920 vowed to challenge the claim in court.

The white-marble Taj Mahal – built by Mogul Emperor Shah Jahan between 1632 and 1654 for his favourite wife Mumtaz Mahal – should be officially recognised as belonging to the Sunni Waqf Board, said it’s chairman, Hafiz Usman.

“The Taj Mahal is the property of the board and it should be registered in its name,” Usman said.

The Sunni Waqf Board is in charge of maintaining Muslim graveyards and mosques.

The Taj Mahal houses the graves of the love-struck Mogul, his wife, and lesser Mogul royalty.

“Apart from the graves, the presence of a mosque and a tomb in the Taj complex clearly signal that it is truly a Waqf (religious trust) property,” Usman said.

“However, the federal or the state government can take care of its maintenance.”

The government-run Archaeological Survey of India, which has been responsible for the upkeep of the monument since 1920, said it would challenge the board’s claim in court.

“A Government of India notification issued in 1920 had given the ownership of this world heritage monument to the ASI,” said SK Sharma, an ASI archaeologist.

The board is also demanding 7% of annual gate receipts and a say in how the rest of the money is used, Usman said.

The Taj Mahal, designated by the United Nations as a world heritage monument, is located in the northern city of Agra, about 130 miles east of India’s capital, New Delhi. Hundreds of thousands of tourists visit it every year.