Shahjahan built Taj Mahal in love, Ratan Tata's grandfather built Tata Memorial, such was the love story

Taj Mahal, one of the 7 wonders of the world, is known worldwide as a 'symbol of love'. But do you know the love story of the grandfather of Ratan Tata of Tata Group, who built the Tata Memorial in the memory of his wife, which today works to enhance the lives of millions of people in the country. Let's know this love story

Mughal emperor Shahjahan built 'Taj Mahal', one of the 7 wonders of the world, in memory of his wife Mumtaz. Today, millions of people from all over the world come to India every year to see it. All over the world it is seen as the greatest symbol of love. But you might not know the love story of Ratan Tata's grandfather, who built an institute in the memory of his wife, which today is working to change the lives of millions of people. This love story is quite special…

We are talking about Dorabji Tata and Meherbai Tata. Both of them got married on 14 February 1898, i.e. on Valentine's Day. He was the elder son of Tata Group founder Jamsetji Tata. He was responsible for funding the sending of India's first Olympic team abroad. This team brought hockey gold for India in the Olympics. The love story of Dorabji and Meherbai Tata is quite interesting…

Meharbai Tata

Meher sold her diamond

Dorabji Tata gifted a diamond to his wife Meharbai Tata after 2 years of their marriage. This diamond was almost twice bigger than the Kohinoor diamond. Meharbai always kept this Jubilee Diamond with her. After Jamsetji Tata, Dorabji Tata got the responsibility of Tata Group. He had worked hard to make Tata Steel a big company. Then after the Second World War, Tata faced a financial crisis in the 1920s. Then Meherbai came forward to help her husband and mortgaged all her jewelery including this diamond.

Meharbai is identified as 'Lady Tata'. It was only due to his efforts that 'Sharda Act', a law to prevent child marriage, could be enacted in the country. This law was made in 1929 and it set the marriage age of girls at 14 years and that of boys at 18 years. Later, by amending this law, the marriage age of boys and girls was made 21 and 18 respectively.

Dorabji Tata built Tata Memorial

Within a few years, the situation of Tata Group improved and Dorabji Tata got rid of all his wife's jewelery from the bank. But the test of their love was yet to come. In 1931, Meharbai Tata was diagnosed with cancer. He had leukemia (a type of blood cancer). In the same year he turned 50 years old. Dorabji Tata arranged the best treatment for Meherbai, but she died in 1931. Dorabji Tata also passed away the next year due to his wife's grief, but 'Tata Memorial', a symbol of his love, still exists today.

Yes, after the death of his wife, Dorabji Tata sold the same 'Jubilee Diamond' of Meharbai and formed 'Dorabji Tata Trust'. This trust built Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai, which today treats lakhs of cancer patients across the country at low cost. This is a unique sign of their love, which is still improving the lives of crores of people.