The Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal which is seen as the symbol of love of th Mughal emperor Shahjahan towards his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal( Arjumand Banu Begum).
. ©- Google map
This is me , when I visited Taj Mahal.
The Taj Mahal, an immense mausoleum of white marble , built in Agra in between 1631 and 1648 by order of Mughal emperor Shahjahan.
Taj Mahal is one of the most outstanding examples of Mughal architecture, which combined Indian , Persian and Islamic influences.
Facts about the architecture:
1. The Taj Mahal which is made of gleaming white marble that appears to change colour depending on the light is at its heart.
2. It is located on right Bank of Yamuna River in vast Mughal garden, in the Agra district of Uttar Pradesh.
3. Considered as one of seven wonders of world, it has been a UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE since , 1983.
4. It is still one of the world's most famous structures and a stunning symbol of India's rich history.
5. Ustad Ahmad Lahori was the main architect of Taj Mahal. More than 20000 workers from India, Persia, Europe and Ottoman Empire were brought in to construct the mausoleum complex, along with 1000 elephants.
6. Earlier Mughal structures were mostly made of red sandstone, but Shahjahan encouraged the use of white marble inlaid with semi precious stones.
7. Some of decorative elements in the complex are Quranic passes.
"O soul , thou art at rest" reads the calligraphy on the Great gate.
8. The white marble structure is built on a raised platform.
Design and construction of the Taj Mahal:
Tomb:
The Taj Mahal's tomb is the focal point of entire complex.
The false sarcophagus of Mumtaz Mahal and Shahjahan are housed in the main chamber, while actual graves are on lower level.
And these are built at end tomb in southern side instead in center of tomb.
The tomb is surrounded by four minaret, one at each corner of plinth facing the chamfered corners .
The walls of tomb were beautifully carved with Quranic passes.
The Interior chamber inlays work in a lapidary of precious and semi-precious gemstones rather than pietra dura.
Exterior Decorations :
1. The complex is built around a large Charbagh (Mughal garden).
2. A raised marble water tank with a reflecting pool in the centre of the garden , halfway between the tomb and the gateway , reflects the image of mausoleum on the North - south asix.
©- Google map
3. Two grand red sandstone buildings face the sides of the tomb and are located at the far end of the complex. The western structure is a mosque , while the other is the jawab( answer).
4. The grand entrance to the Taj Mahal is also made of red sandstone.
©- Google map
5. On the three sides , crenellated red sandstone walls surround the Taj Mahal complex , the side facing the river is open.
6. Several additional mausoleums , including those of Shahjahan's other wives and a larger tomb for Mumtaz' s favourite servant are located outside the walls.
Some other facts about the Taj Mahal:
It is said that Mumtaz Mahal saw this structure in her dream and then told about this to Shahjahan.
That's why after death of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, Shahjahan ordered to built this mausoleum in her memory.
It is also said that after completion of this structure, the hand of the workers were cutoff so that the other structure of this beautifulness can not be built in future.
I visited this beautiful architecture when I was in school, My school organised the trip to Agra , Mathura. When I saw the Taj Mahal, I was so mesmerized by this structure that I am not able to forget the structure till now. Only thing which came to my mind after seeing the structure, " no wonder it's one of the seven wonders of the world". I would love to recommend this place to visit atleast one time whenever you go to Agra.
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