Taj Mahal land belonged to Jaipur royals, claims BJP MP Diya Kumari

JAIPUR: The land on which the Taj Mahal stands belonged to the erstwhile Jaipur royal family and used to have a palace that Mughal emperor Shah Jahan ‘acquired' before building his grand monument to love, BJP MP and royal scion Diya Kumari claimed on Wednesday.
Speaking to media in the city, Diya claimed that the property was a palace and Shah Jahan acquired (kabza) it as per the documents in their possession. She also said that she had heard that they (Mughals) offered compensation for the acquired land, but was not sure whether it was accepted or not.
The Rajsamand MP's claim came two days after the Allahabad high court received a plea to reopen and re-examine the locked rooms within the inner sanctum of the Taj Mahal in Agra. The petition was filed by Rajneesh Singh, media in-charge of BJP's Ayodhya unit.
"The documents say that the land belonged to the erstwhile Jaipur royal family. He (Shah Jahan) liked it and acquired it since it was their government... There was no law to appeal and go against them then. I am glad that someone has filed a petition in the court which will reveal the hidden truth," she said.
On whether the erstwhile royals would now move court to stake claim to the land, the MP said the family was contemplating its next move.
"I am not saying that the Taj Mahal should be demolished, but its rooms should be opened for examination. Some rooms have been closed for centuries. I believe that we should all get to know what is in there. Our facts can also be established once a proper inquiry is made."
Diya Kumari said her family would provide all support, including documents, to the court to arrive at an informed decision. "The documents related to the claim are in the pothi khana (archive) of the royal family. If the court gives an order, the documents will be submitted."
The MP declined to be drawn into speculation about whether there was a temple at the site of the Taj Mahal. "I have not seen all the documents yet, but it is clear that the property belonged to our family."