Was Taj Mahal designed by an Italian architect? To know about the myth and legend of the Italian Architect of Taj, read this article.
Italian Architect of Taj Mahal Myth
 |
The theory of a Venetian named Geronimo Veroneo being the architect of Taj Mahal has often been touted by a few European scholars, particularly the historians of Italy who claim Taj being designed by an Italian architect. The first person to suggest this theory of an Italian Architect of the Taj Mahal was a Spanish monk by the name of Father Sebastian Manrique, an Augustinian Friar whose purpose in India was to secure the release of Father Antony, who was being held as a prisoner by the Mughals in Lahore. And it was here in Lahore that he met the executor of Geronimo, named Father Joseph De Castro. It was Castro who told Father Sebastian about a famous Venetian jeweler who came to India in the Portuguese ships but died on his way in Lahore and was later buried in the Roman Catholic Cemetery Padres Santos in Agra.
This is the only connection that both Geronimo Veroneo and Father Sebastian Manrique had with India and doesn't prove anything beyond that they were in India at some point of time when Taj Mahal was being constructed. There are other loopholes in the theory that prove that there was no Italian connection to the Taj Mahal in any which way. First, the name Geronimo Veroneo does not appear in any of the contemporary Persian sources that carry names of various artisans who worked on Taj Mahal. And second, many Europeans who passed through Agra during the construction of Taj Mahal only mention Geronimo Veroneo as a skilled jeweler in their travelogues. Moreover, Shah Jahan, whose one title among the many was "the builder of the marvels" is known have been actively involved in the construction of Taj Mahal and coordinated everything. Lastly, it is difficult to accept that an artist trained in Italy, could build a tomb as per Indo-Persian architecture.