Heritage of India
Channel: Sree's Schrodinger's Smile
Date: 2021-11-23

Geographical location of the Taj Mahal:
It is located in Agra city. During the reign of Shah Jahan, Agra was the primary Mughal capital and that is why he chose to build the Taj Mahal in Agra. The Taj Mahal is located on the right bank of the Yamuna River in a vast Mughal garden that encompasses nearly 17 hectares, in the Agra District in Uttar Pradesh.
In which year it was built and by whom:
The Taj Mahal, an immense mausoleum of white marble, built in Agra between 1631 and 1648 by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, is the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage.
Historical Significance of the monument:
Taj Mahal is a world wonder located in Agra. Every year tourists twice the total population of Agra visit the city for spotting Taj Mahal. To immortalize Shah Jahan’s love for his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan built the most amazing mausoleum of all times.
Architectural Details:
Perfect Symmetry
The Taj Mahal emits a sense of peace and harmony which is mainly caused by the structure’s near-perfect symmetry, the main dome and surrounding minarets, and the division of the gardens by four canals that meet at a raised central lotus pond. The perfect geometry of the complex is what leaves a visitor in awe and is so perfect that one cannot find a single element out of place adding to the structure’s grandeur. The symmetry of the Taj Mahal makes a statement of absoluteness which is a mark of architectural superiority and reflects universal harmony.
Built with an Optical Illusion:
To achieve the desired other-worldly experience, the Taj Mahal’s 
Minarets are placed in a specific way to create an optical illusion. 
Because the architects and craftsmen were masters of proportions, they 
were able to build the monument in such a way that as soon as you
 enter the gate, the monument appears close and large.But as you 
approach it, it shrinks in size. This particular illusion was created to 
avoid any visual interruptions and to add a touch of mystery to the place
 and was achieved through the minarets that appear to be perfectly 
upright but actually lean outward. In addition to creating the illusion of 
greater size, the lean of the minarets protects the main crypt in case of 
natural disasters like earthquakes. This way, they will always fall away 
from the central dome.
Use of Red Stone and White Marble:
The hierarchal use of stones and colours in the building of the Taj Mahal
 adds many layers to its meaning. Before the Taj was built, red sandstone was used in most Mughal architecture, but Shah Jahan was greatly influenced by Hindu colour coding for different castes. By taking the liberty of using white stone reserved for Brahmins (priestly caste) and Red Stone reserved for Kshatriyas (warrior caste) the Mughals identified with India’s two leading classes and announced themselves as their rulers. The white marble also serves as a canvas for the changing light of the day and is said to reflect the various moods of Shah Jahan during his time with Mumtaz Mahal.
The Exquisite Walls of the Taj Mahal:
In order to add a holy aura to the place, the walls of the monument are covered with beautiful calligraphy and pietra dura. Pietra dura is a method of inlaying marble with precious stones like amber, coral, jade, and lapis lazuli.Since Islam condemns anthropomorphic art, the walls are carefully decorated with abstract art and vegetative motifs. Multiple techniques 
are used for the adornment of these walls including; mosaic art, murals, and incised painting.
Four Minarets and One Central Dome:
Minarets hold a lot of significance in Islamic architecture. The word
“minaret” comes from Arabic and means a place of light. The Taj Mahal is
 surrounded by four minarets of equal height that lean slightly outwards to 
protect the tomb in case they collapse during a natural disaster. Minarets were not used in Mughal architecture before Shah Jahan and were introduced by him. The use of one central dome has been a part of Mughal architecture for a long time. The dome of the Taj Mahal is a classic Persian dome. There are actually two main domes in the Taj Mahal including an outer dome built over an inner dome, in between the two is a large concealed empty space. The double dome technique is used for the aesthetics and appeal of the inner chamber and to retain correct proportions. When Put together, the double dome structure signifies the heavenward elevation of the soul.