Part 3, Chapters 14-16 Summary

In chapter fourteen, "A Tear on the Cheek of Time," Jahanara sends Nizam off to war. After traveling with the army for over a year, Nizam returns to tell Jahanara that Aurangzeb is a fierce and fearless warrior, well respected by his men. Meanwhile, Jahanara and Isa continue their work on her mother's mausoleum. Around the time Jahanara's daughter, Arjumand, turns seven, workers lay the last stone. The Taj Mahal is complete. The Emperor, in his delight, declares a month of celebration.

After eleven years of construction, Shah Jahan is impatient to see the building in its full glory, but he must wait until the workers pull down the extensive scaffolding, a job that could take months. He calls on all of his population, including the army, to come and aid the laborers, sending out word that the materials...