The Taj Mahal is an iconic architectural masterpiece of the Mughal Empire, located in Agra, India. Mughal emperor Shah Jahan built it between 1632 and 1653 to commemorate his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Constructed entirely of white marble, the Taj Mahal is considered the finest example of Indian Islamic art and a world heritage masterpiece.

Taj Mahal, the Monument of Love

The Taj Mahal is situated in a vast garden on the banks of the Yamuna River, and it is harmoniously integrated with a gateway, a mosque, auxiliary buildings, a pond, and canals. The central mausoleum, which is the heart of the Taj Mahal, has an octagonal structure with perfect symmetry, with arched entrances called iwan on each side. A huge onion-shaped dome rises high above the mausoleum, and it is adorned with smaller domes and minarets. Inside the mausoleum are the tombs of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal, surrounded by intricate inlay work and calligraphy that captivate the eye.

The Taj Mahal is an architectural monument that showcases the distinctive style of the Mughal Empire. It blends architectural styles and elements from Persia, Turkey, India, and Islam. In particular, it subtly harmonizes Persian charbagh-style gardens, Timurid-influenced domes and minarets, Hindu geometric patterns and colors, and Islamic Quranic verses and arabesques.

The Taj Mahal was named one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and it receives millions of tourists every year. The Taj Mahal exhibits different colors and moods depending on the time and season. The Taj Mahal is especially beautiful when it shimmers silver under the moonlight. The Taj Mahal is a symbol of love and a treasure of humanity.

History of the Taj Mahal

The history of the Taj Mahal is inseparable from the love story of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal. Shah Jahan was the fifth emperor of the Mughal Empire, and he ascended to the throne in 1628. Shah Jahan deeply loved his wife Mumtaz Mahal, and he accompanied her on various wars and trips. Mumtaz Mahal influenced Shah Jahan's politics and diplomacy, and her opinions were respected. Mumtaz Mahal bore Shah Jahan 14 children, but she died in 1631 while giving birth to their fourteenth child. Shah Jahan was devastated by her death, and he resolved to build the most beautiful tomb in the world for her.

Construction of the Taj Mahal began in 1632, and it involved 20,000 laborers and over 1,000 elephants. Ustad Ahmad Lahauri was the chief architect, and his subordinates were experts in various fields. The materials used in the construction were imported from all over India and Central Asia. White marble, in particular, was quarried from Makrana in the state of Rajasthan. Gemstones used for inlay work were imported from Baghdad, Punjab, Egypt, Russia, Golconda, China, Afghanistan, Ceylon, the Indian Ocean, and Persia.

Construction and decoration of the mausoleum of the Taj Mahal were completed in 1648, but the surrounding garden and auxiliary buildings were completed five years later in 1653. The Taj Mahal cost 32 million rupees at the time, which is equivalent to $827 million today. The construction of the Taj Mahal is also a masterpiece that represents the golden age of the Mughal Empire.

However, the construction of the Taj Mahal also contributed to the decline of the Mughal Empire. The empire's finances were shaky during the construction of the Taj Mahal, and public sentiment deteriorated nationwide due to excessive taxes and exploitation. As Shah Jahan aged, he gradually became indifferent to politics. Eventually, his son Aurangzeb rebelled and deposed Shah Jahan, imprisoning him in Agra Fort. Shah Jahan subsequently died in 1666 while looking at the Taj Mahal from the window of Agra Fort. His body was buried in the Taj Mahal mausoleum next to Mumtaz Mahal.

The construction of the Taj Mahal was an expression of Shah Jahan's love and grief, but it faced numerous instances of destruction and plunder after his death. In the 18th century, Zahir ud-Din Muhammad destroyed the auxiliary buildings of the Taj Mahal and sold their materials. In the 19th century, the British colonial government reorganized the garden of the Taj Mahal and built villas and pavilions within it. British soldiers and officials also damaged and plundered the Taj Mahal's inlay work and gemstones. In the 20th century, various measures were taken to preserve and restore the Taj Mahal, but due to population growth and industrialization, pollution and water contamination caused the white marble of the Taj Mahal to discolor and crack. Currently, the Taj Mahal is being protected and restored under the joint efforts of the Indian government and UNESCO.

How to Visit the Taj Mahal

It is best to check the official website for up-to-date information.

The Taj Mahal's official website, Uttar Pradesh government (India) (tajmahal.gov.in)

www.tajmahal.gov.in

Fun Facts about the Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal was named one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and it receives millions of tourists every year. Let's explore some interesting facts about the Taj Mahal.

While the Taj Mahal is a tomb built by Shah Jahan for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, her body was actually moved there from a temporary burial site before the Taj Mahal was completed. Shah Jahan's body was also buried next to Mumtaz Mahal in the Taj Mahal mausoleum, but his tomb is placed in a way that breaks the symmetry. It is believed that Shah Jahan's son Aurangzeb tried to move Shah Jahan's tomb but failed, so he simply left it there.

The Taj Mahal is known for its materials and gemstones imported from around the world, and its value is said to be enormous. The gemstones used for inlay work in the Taj Mahal are said to be 28 varieties, totaling over 28,000. These gemstones can also appear in different colors depending on the light. For example, the glass inlay on the walls of the mausoleum appears white in sunlight but blue in moonlight.

The Taj Mahal is famous for its perfect architectural symmetry. The building is perfectly symmetrical from the center, and the two tombs inside the mausoleum are also symmetrical. However, there is one exception to the symmetry of the Taj Mahal. It is a small mosque behind the main entrance. This mosque was not built for the sake of symmetry but was actually built for prayer. The building symmetrical to this mosque is the guest house in front of the main entrance. This building has the same shape and size as the mosque but is actually a decorative building without any real function. In this way, the Taj Mahal can be said to be a building that harmonizes architectural symmetry and religious function.

The Taj Mahal is considered one of the most beautiful architectural structures in the world, and the reason is that it is a monument of love. The Taj Mahal is a tomb that Shah Jahan built for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, but it is like a book that tells their love story. Their love, grief, hope, and forgiveness are expressed in the architecture and decoration of the Taj Mahal. For example, the inlay work on the Taj Mahal includes calligraphy of love letters that Shah Jahan sent to Mumtaz Mahal. The garden of the Taj Mahal also includes flowers that Mumtaz Mahal loved. The dome of the Taj Mahal also has an inscription stating that Shah Jahan is waiting for the day when he will meet Mumtaz Mahal again. In this way, the Taj Mahal symbolizes the eternal love of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal.