The Taj Mahal - Facts & Summary - HISTORY.com Google Taj Mahal: Shah Jahan’s Romantic Gesture Shah Jahan was a member of the Mughal dynasty that ruled most of northern India from the early 16th to the mid 18th-century. After the death of his father, King Jahangir, in 1627, Shah Jahan emerged the victor of a bitter power struggle with his brothers, and crowned himself emperor at Agra in 1628. At his side was Arjumand Banu Begum, better known as Mumtaz Mahal (“Chosen One of the Palace”), whom he married in 1612 and cherished as the favorite of his three queens. Did You Know? According to one gruesome (and most likely sensational) story, Shah Jahan had his minions cut off the hands of the Taj Mahal's architect and his workers after the structure was completed, ensuring they would never build another of its kind. In 1631, Mumtaz Mahal died after giving birth to the couple’s 14th child.

The grieving Shah Jahan, known for commissioning a number of impressive structures throughout his reign, ordered the building of a magnificent mausoleum across the Yamuna River from his own royal palace at Agra. Construction began around 1632 and would continue for the next two decades. The chief architect was probably Ustad Ahmad Lahouri, an Indian of Persian descent who would later be credited with designing the Red Fort at Delhi. In all, more than 20,000 workers from India, Persia, Europe and the Ottoman Empire, along with some 1,000 elephants, were brought in to build the mausoleum complex. Design and Construction of the Taj Mahal Named the Taj Mahal in honor of Mumtaz Mahal, the mausoleum was constructed of white marble inlaid with semi-precious stones (including jade, crystal, lapis lazuli, amethyst and turquoise) forming intricate designs in a technique known as pietra dura. Its central dome reached a height of 240 feet (73 meters) and was surrounded by four smaller domes; four slender towers, or minarets, stood at the corners.

In accordance with Islamic tradition, verses from the Quran were inscribed in calligraphy on the arched entrances to the mausoleum, in addition to numerous other sections of the complex. Inside the mausoleum, an octagonal marble chamber adorned with carvings and semi-precious stones housed the cenotaph, or false tomb, of Mumtaz Mahal. The real sarcophagus containing her actual remains lay below, at garden level. The rest of the Taj Mahal complex included a main gateway of red sandstone and a square garden divided into quarters by long pools of water, as well as a red sandstone mosque and an identical building called a jawab (or “mirror”) directly across from the mosque. Traditional Mughal building practice would allow no future alterations to be made to the complex. As the story goes, Shah Jahan intended to build a second grand mausoleum across the Yamuna River from the Taj Mahal, where his own remains would be buried when he died; the two structures were to have been connected by a bridge.

In fact, Aurangzeb (Shah Jahan’s third son with Mumtaz Mahal) deposed his ailing father in 1658 and took power himself. Shah Jahan lived out the last years of his life under house arrest in a tower of the Red Fort at Agra, with a view of the majestic resting place he had constructed for his wife; when he died in 1666, he was buried next to her. The Taj Mahal Over the Years Under Aurangzeb’s long rule (1658-1707), the Mughal empire reached the height of its strength. However, his militant Muslim policies, including the destruction of many Hindu temples and shrines, undermined the enduring strength of the empire and led to its demise by the mid-18th century. Even as Mughal power crumbled, the Taj Mahal suffered from neglect and disrepair in the two centuries after Shah Jahan’s death. Near the turn of the 19th century, Lord Curzon, then British viceroy of India, ordered a major restoration of the mausoleum complex as part of a colonial effort to preserve India’s artistic and cultural heritage.

Today, some 3 million people a year (or around 45,000 a day during peak tourist season) visit the Taj Mahal. Air pollution from nearby factories and automobiles poses a continual threat to the mausoleum’s gleaming white marble façade, and in 1998, India’s Supreme Court ordered a number of anti-pollution measures to protect the building from deterioration. Some factories were closed, while vehicular traffic was banned from the immediate vicinity of the complex. Tags The Taj Mahal The Taj Mahal The Taj Mahal One of the Most Beautiful Mausoleums in the World The Taj Mahal on a bright and clear day. (Photo by Mukul Banerjee / Contributor / Getty Images) By Jen Rosenberg Updated January 20, 2016. The Taj Mahal is a beautiful, white-marble mausoleum built by Mughul emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Located on the southern bank of the Yamuna River near Agra, India, the Taj Mahal took 22 years to build, finally being completed in 1653.

The Taj Mahal, considered one of the New Wonders of the World , astounds every visitor not only for its symmetry and structural beauty, but also for its intricate calligraphy, inlaid flowers made of gemstones, and magnificent garden. The Love Story It was in 1607, that Shah Jahan , grandson of Akbar the Great , first met his beloved. At the time, he was not yet the fifth emperor of the Mughal Empire . Sixteen-year-old, Prince Khurram, as he was then called, flitted around the royal bazaar, flirting with the girls from high-ranking families that staffed the booths. At one of these booths, Prince Khurram met 15-year-old Arjumand Banu Baygam, whose father was soon to be the prime minister and whose aunt was married to Prince Khurram’s father. continue reading below our video Profile of Aurangzeb Although it was love at first sight, the two were not allowed to marry right away. First, Prince Khurram had to marry Kandahari Begum.

(He would later marry a third wife as well.) On March 27, 1612, Prince Khurram and his beloved, whom he gave the name Mumtaz Mahal (“chosen one of the palace”), were married. Mumtaz Mahal was not only beautiful, she was smart and tender-hearted. The public was enamored with her, in part because Mumtaz Mahal cared for the people, diligently making lists of widows and orphans to make sure they received food and money. The couple had 14 children together, but only seven lived past infancy. It was the birth of the 14th child that was to kill Mumtaz Mahal. The Death of Mumtaz Mahal In 1631, three years into Shah Jahan’s reign, there was a rebellion underway, led by Khan Jahan Lodi. Shah Jahan had taken his military out to the Deccan, about 400 miles from Agra, in order to crush the usurper. As usual, Mumtaz Mahal, who was always by Shah Jahan’s side, accompanied him, despite being heavily pregnant.

On June 16, 1631, Mumtaz Mahal, in an elaborately decorated tent, gave birth to a healthy baby girl in the middle of the encampment. At first, all seemed to be well, but it was soon discovered that Mumtaz Mahal was dying. As soon as Shah Jahan received news of his wife’s condition, he rushed to her side. In the early morning hours of June 17, 1631, Mumtaz Mahal died in his arms. Reports say that in Shah Jahan’s anguish, he went to his own tent and cried for eight days. Upon emerging, some say he had aged, now sporting white hair and needing glasses. Mumtaz Mahal was buried right away, according to Islamic tradition, near the encampment at Burbanpur. Her body, however, was not to stay there long. Plans for the Taj Mahal In December 1631, when the feud with Khan Jahan Lodi was won, Shah Jahan had the remains of Mumtaz Mahal dug up and brought 435 miles (700 km) to Agra.

The return of Mumtaz Mahal was a grand procession, with thousands of soldiers accompanying the body and mourners lining the route. When the remains of Mumtaz Mahal reached Agra on January 8, 1632, they were temporarily buried on land donated by nobleman Raja Jai Singh, near where the Taj Mahal was to be built. Shah Jahan, filled with grief, had decided to pour that emotion into an elaborate, exquisite, expensive mausoleum that would rival all those that had come before it. (It was also to be unique, being the first large mausoleum dedicated to a woman.) Although no one, main architect for the Taj Mahal is known, it is believed that Shah Jahan, who was already passionate about architecture, worked on the plans himself with the input and aid of a number of the best architects of his time. The plan was that the Taj Mahal (“the crown of the region”) would represent heaven (Jannah) on Earth. No expense was spared to make this happen. Building the Taj Mahal At the time, the Mughal Empire was one of the richest in the world and thus Shah Jahan had the means to pay for this huge venture.

With the plans made, Shah Jahan wanted the Taj Mahal to be grand, but also, built quickly. To speed production, an estimated 20,000 workers were brought in and housed nearby in a newly built town for them called Mumtazabad. These workers included both skilled and unskilled craftsmen. At first, builders worked on the foundation and then on the giant, 624-foot-long plinth (base). On this plinth was to sit the Taj Mahal building as well as the two matching, red sandstone buildings (the mosque and the guest house) that flank the Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal building, sitting on a second plinth, was to be an octagonal structure, first constructed of brick and then covered in white marble. Like in most large projects, the builders created a scaffolding to build higher; however, what was unusual was that the scaffolding for this project was built of bricks. No one has yet figured out why. The white marble was incredibly heavy and quarried in Makrana, 200 miles away.

Reportedly, it took 1,000 elephants and an untold number of oxen to drag the marble to the Taj Mahal building site. For the heavy marble pieces to reach the higher spaces of the Taj Mahal, a giant, 10-mile-long, earthen ramp was built. The very top of the Taj Mahal is topped with a huge, double-shell dome that reaches to 240 feet and is also covered in white marble. Four thin, white-marble minarets stand tall at the corners of the second plinth, surrounding the mausoleum. Calligraphy and Inlaid Flowers Most pictures of the Taj Mahal show only a large, white, lovely building. What these photos miss is the intricacies that can only be seen up close. It is these details that make the Taj Mahal astoundingly feminine and opulent. On the mosque, guest house, and the large main gate at the southern end of the Taj Mahal complex appear passages from the Quran (often spelled Koran), the holy book of Islam , written in calligraphy. Shah Jahan hired Amanat Khan, a master calligrapher, to work on the inlaid verses.

Masterfully done, the finished verses from the Quran, inlaid with black marble, look soft and gentle. Although made of stone, the curves make it look almost hand-written. The 22 passages from the Quran were reportedly chosen by Amanat Khan himself. Interestingly, Amanat Khan was the only person who Shah Jahan allowed to sign his work on the Taj Mahal. Almost more amazing than the calligraphy is the exquisite inlaid flowers found throughout the Taj Mahal complex. In a process known as parchin kari, highly-skilled stone cutters cut intricate floral designs into the white marble and then inlaid precious and semi-precious stones to form interwoven vines and flowers. The 43 different kinds of precious and semi-precious stones used for these flowers came from around the world, including lapis lazuli from Sri Lanka, jade from China, malachite from Russia, and turquoise from Tibet . The Garden As in many religions, Islam holds the image of Paradise as a garden; thus, the garden at the Taj Mahal was an integral part of the plan to make it heaven on Earth.

The Taj Mahal’s garden, which is situated to the south of the mausoleum, has four quadrants, divided by four “rivers” of water (another important Islamic image of Paradise), which gather at a central pool. The gardens and “rivers” were supplied with water from the Yamuna River by a complex, underground water system. Unfortunately, no records have survived telling us what plants were originally planted in the Taj Mahal’s garden. The End of Shah Jahan Shah Jahan stayed in deep mourning for two years but even after that, the death of Mumtaz Mahal still deeply affected him. That is perhaps why the third of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan’s four sons, Aurangzeb , was able to successfully kill off his three brothers and imprison his father. In 1658, after 30 years as emperor, Shah Jahan was usurped and placed in the luxurious Red Fort in Agra. Not able to leave but with most of his usual luxuries, Shah Jahan spent his last eight years staring out a window, looking at his beloved’s Taj Mahal.

When Shah Jahan died on January 22, 1666, Aurangzeb had his father buried with Mumtaz Mahal in the crypt beneath the Taj Mahal. On the main floor of the Taj Mahal, above the crypt, now sits two cenotaphs (empty, public tombs). The one in the center of the room belongs to Mumtaz Mahal and the one just to the west is for Shah Jahan. Surrounding the cenotaphs is a delicately-carved, lacy, marble screen. (Originally it had been a gold screen but Shah Jahan had that replaced so that thieves would not be too tempted.) The Taj Mahal in Ruins Shah Jahan had enough wealth in his coffers to support the Taj Mahal and its mighty maintenance costs, but over the centuries, the Mughal Empire lost its riches and the Taj Mahal fell into disrepair. By the 1800s, the British ousted the Mughals and took over India. To many, the Taj Mahal was beautiful and so they cut gemstones from the walls, stole the silver candlesticks and doors, and even tried to sell the white marble overseas.

It was Lord Curzon, the British viceroy of India, who put a stop to all that. Rather than looting the Taj Mahal, Curzon worked to restore it. The Taj Mahal Now The Taj Mahal has once again become a magnificent place, with 2.5 million people visiting it each year. Visitors can visit during the daytime, where the color of the white marble seems to change depending on the time of the day. Once a month, visitors have the opportunity to make a short visit during a full moon, to see how the Taj Mahal seems to glow from within in the moonlight. In 1983, the Taj Mahal was placed on the World Heritage List by UNESCO , but it now suffers from pollutants from nearby factories and from the humidity from the breath of its visitors. DuTemple, Lesley A. The Taj Mahal. Minneapolis: Lerner Publications Company, 2003. Harpur, James and Jennifer Westwood. The Atlas of Legendary Places. New York: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 1989. Ingpen, Robert and Philip Wilkinson. Encyclopedia of Mysterious Places: The Life and Legends of Ancient Sites Around the World.

New York: Barnes & Noble Books, 1999. Taj Mahal Facts for Kids - Interesting Information about the Taj Mahal in India Taj Mahal Facts Enjoy our range of fun Taj Mahal facts for kids. Learn who it was built for, what the name means, how long it took to build, what it is made from, where it is located and much more. Read on and enjoy interesting information and fun trivia about the Taj Mahal, a World Heritage Site often referred to as one of the seven wonders of the modern world. The Taj Mahal is a famous mausoleum in India. A mausoleum is a building that contains burial chambers (tombs) for the deceased, they can be large or small and are often created in honor of influential people. The Taj Mahal is located in Agra, a city in the Uttar Pradesh region of northern India. It was built as the final resting place for Mumtaz Mahal, the third wife of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. The name Taj Mahal means “crown of palaces”. Construction of the Taj Mahal took around 20 years, beginning around 1632 and finishing around 1653.

The Taj Mahal is made of white marble. One of the Taj Mahal’s most recognizable features is a large white dome that is often called an ‘onion dome’ due to its shape. It has a height of around 35 metres (115 feet) and is surrounded by 4 smaller domes. The full height of the Taj Mahal is 171 metres (561 feet). The Taj Mahal is considered to be one of India’s most admired works of art, as well as a famous landmark and a tourist attraction that draws millions of visitors every year. The Taj Mahal complex includes a large garden, a reflecting pool, a mosque and other mausoleums. History, Design and Construction of Taj Mahal History, Design and Construction of Taj Mahal History & Background History "A white marble tomb built in 1631-48 in Agra, seat of the Mugal Empire, by Shah Jehan for his wife, Arjuman Banu Begum, the monument sums up many of the formal themes that have played through Islamic architecture.

Its refined elegance is a conspicuous contrast both to the Hindu architecture of pre-Islamic India, with its thick walls, corbeled arches, and heavy lintels, and to the Indo-Islamic styles, in which Hindu elements are combined with an eclectic assortment of motifs from Persian and Turkish sources." Taj Mahal is regarded as one of the eight wonders of the world, and some Western historians have noted that its architectural beauty has never been surpassed. The Taj is the most beautiful monument built by the Mughals, the Muslim rulers of India. Taj Mahal is built entirely of white marble. Its stunning architectural beauty is beyond adequate description, particularly at dawn and sunset. The Taj seems to glow in the light of the full moon. On a foggy morning, the visitors experience the Taj as if suspended when viewed from across the Jamuna river. Taj Mahal was built by a Muslim, Emperor Shah Jahan (died 1666 C.E.) in the memory of his dear wife and queen Mumtaz Mahal at Agra, India.

It is an "elegy in marble" or some say an expression of a "dream." Taj Mahal (meaning Crown Palace) is a Mausoleum that houses the grave of queen Mumtaz Mahal at the lower chamber. The grave of Shah Jahan was added to it later. The queen’s real name was Arjumand Banu. In the tradition of the Mughals, important ladies of the royal family were given another name at their marriage or at some other significant event in their lives, and that new name was commonly used by the public. Shah Jahan's real name was Shahab-ud-din, and he was known as Prince Khurram before ascending to the throne in 1628. Design & Construction of Taj Mahal Taj Mahal was constructed over a period of twenty-two years, employing twenty thousand workers. It was completed in 1648 C.E. at a cost of 32 Million Rupees. The construction documents show that its master architect was Ustad ‘Isa, the renowned Islamic architect of his time. The documents contain names of those employed and the inventory of construction materials and their origin.

Expert craftsmen from Delhi, Qannauj, Lahore, and Multan were employed. In addition, many renowned Muslim craftsmen from Baghdad, Shiraz and Bukhara worked on many specialized tasks. The mausoleum is a part of a vast complex comprising of a main gateway, an elaborate garden, a mosque (to the left), a guest house (to the right), and several other palatial buildings. The Taj is at the farthest end of this complex, with the river Jumna behind it. The large garden contains four reflecting pools dividing it at the center. Each of these four sections is further subdivided into four sections and then each into yet another four sections. Like the Taj, the garden elements serve like Arabesque, standing on their own and also constituting the whole. The minarets have an octagonal base and cylindrical body tapering to an eight-sided open pavilion. The body of the minarets is sectioned by three balconies which create shadows and interest in an otherwise plain design. An exquisite band of marble inlay and geometric patterns sporting the chevron design encircle the minaret below the top balcony.

The summit of the gold gilded finial perched on the top of the dome of the Taj Mahal reaches two hundred and twenty feet [67 meters] above the ground. At the top sits a lotus bud and under this is a water pot. This arrangement was adapted to the Islamic domain from the 12th century. Its function is purely decorative, accompanying the form of the dome. Related Pages Taj Mahal | The Story of India - Photo Gallery | PBS The Story of India Click for detailed map The Taj Mahal is the magnificent white marble tomb of Mughal empress Mumtaz Mahal. One of the most famous buildings in the world, the Taj Mahal is the mausoleum of Mumtaz Mahal, the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan's favorite wife who died unexpectedly during childbirth in 1631. Begun soon after her death, the tomb complex took more than 15 years to complete and is believed to have employed 20,000 laborers. The tomb , located in a walled garden with a central reflecting pool, is found on the north side of the huge complex, overlooking the Yamuna River.

With the open sky as its backdrop, it rises up on a marble platform that is placed within a red sandstone terrace, which contains two additional structures—a mosque to the tomb's west and an assembly hall to its east. The giant dome rises on top of the tomb, which is surrounded by four minarets , and on each facade is a grand arch, known as a pishtaq . Although the Taj Mahal appears completely white from a distance, it is profusely decorated with colorful floral motifs and black marble calligraphy of inscriptions from the Koran. The monument was designed as an earthly representation of the Islamic garden of paradise and its symmetry and precise proportions mark the highpoint of Mughal architecture. You need Flash Player version 9.0.115 or greater to view this video. Video: The Taj Mahal, a monument to love ... and a mystic Sufi map? Shah Jahan Portrait of Shah Jahan Emperor Shah Jahan (1627-58), fifth ruler of the Mughal Empire , became the greatest patron of Indian architecture under the empire, funding magnificent building projects that expressed and celebrated the grandeur of his rule.

The Taj Mahal is the most famous of Shah Jahan's projects and was commissioned as a monument and tomb for his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 1631 while giving birth to their 14th child. Completed in 1648 and modeled after a paradise garden, the Taj Mahal also includes the largest inscription project of its time, with 25 quotations from the Koran about the Day of Judgment, divine mercy, and paradise depicted on its gate, mausoleum, and mosque. In 1983, the monument was named a UNESCO World Heritage site. Since 1996, excavations by the Archaeological Survey of India have revealed the existence of a lost "Moonlight Garden" mirroring the rectangular enclosure of the Taj on the other side of the river Yamuna: a project aided by the Sackler Gallery in Washington and paleo-botanists from the New York Botanical Garden. Among the magnificent works for which Shah Jahan is known, is the Peacock Throne constructed of gold and hundreds of rubies, emeralds, diamonds (including the famous Koh-i-Noor), and other precious stones.

An extensive new capital city, constructed between 1639 and 1648, at Shajahanabad (present-day Old Delhi), included waterways, spacious squares, and bazaars. It was the site of a royal fortress, the Red Fort, and the largest mosque for its time, the Jama Masjid . Shah Jahan's reign ended in a two-year fight for succession between his sons Dara Shikoh and Aurangzeb that resulted in Shah Jahan's imprisonment, Dara's death by the orders of Aurangzeb, and Aurangzeb’s assumption of the Mughal throne. Mughal Empire Arches in Agra The Mughal Empire was founded in 1526 CE, peaked around 1700 and steadily declined into the 19th century, severely weakened by conflicts over succession. Mughal rule began with Zahiruddin Muhammad Babur , who invaded northern India from his post in Kabul, and overthrew Ibrahim Lodi, the last of the Delhi sultans . At its height, the Mughal Empire included most of the Indian subcontinent and an estimated population of 100 million people.

The empire's primary activities of war and expansion were supported by a strong central administrative and political system fully developed under Akbar , the third Mughal emperor. Under Akbar's rule (1556-1605), the empire expanded north to Kabul and Kashmir, east to Bengal and Orissa, south to Gujarat and southwest to Rajasthan. Establishing himself as a spiritual as well as military and strategic leader, Akbar promoted a policy of tolerance for all religions. His son, Jahangir (1605-27), and Jahangir's wife, Nur Jahan, who was highly influential in court politics, carried on Akbar's policies of centralized government and religious tolerance. India's economy grew under the Mughals as a result of the empire's strong infrastructure, expansion and trade with Europeans, who established bases in various Indian ports. Shah Jahan (1627–58), Jahangir's son, diverted wealth away from the military toward magnificent building projects including the Taj Mahal and a new capital city, Shajahanabad, site of a royal fortress and the largest mosque in India, the Jama Masjid .

Shah Jahan's reign marked a turn toward a more Muslim-centered government, which his son Aurangzeb favored in contrast with his other son Dara Shikoh , who favored a more diverse court. After a two-year fight for succession that resulted in Shah Jahan's imprisonment and Dara's death, Aurangzeb (1658–1707) assumed the throne. He reversed many of Akbar's policies supporting religious tolerance, and Islamic religious law (sharia) became the foundation of Mughal government. By the late 17th century, the empire was in decline, weakened by succession conflicts, an entrenched war waged by Aurangzeb in the south, growing inequality between rich and poor and loss of support from nobles and gentry. By the mid-18th century, the once great Mughal Empire was confined to a small area around Delhi .

Tomb of Mumtaz Mahal Sarcophagi of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan The tomb of Mumtaz Mahal is situated on the north end of the funerary complex on a square marble plinth, which is 328 feet on each side and 19 feet high, centered on a sandstone terrace. Set in an enclosed garden that is divided into four quadrants (char-bagh), the tomb is approached from a monumental gateway on the south and overlooks the Yamuna River on the north. It is made of fine white marble quarried at Makrana in Rajasthan and embellished with carved floral reliefs and intricate inlay work using gemstones, such as lapis lazuli, jasper, turquoise, carnelian, jade, and amethyst. Although square in plan, 187 feet on each side, the tomb's corners are cut away or chamfered, so it appears slightly octagonal. A tall, recessed portal (pishtaq) is found at the center of each of the tomb's four identical sides and is flanked by a two-story alcove, which is also repeated at its corners.

Slender pilasters inlaid with a chevron pattern of black and white marble, topped by lotus bud pinnacles, border each section of the facade. Dome Dome of the Taj Mahal The tomb is crowned by a giant onion-shaped double dome, decorated with inverted lotus petals, and culminating in a 30 foot metal finial. The dome sits on a high drum and its total height, from the drum’s base to the top of the finial, measures nearly 146 feet. Four octagonal chattris (domed kiosk) frame the central dome on all four angles. Minaret Minaret A minaret is found at each corner of the square, raised marble platform on which the main tomb sits. Each of the slender towers is round, with a base circumference of 64 feet, and tapers as it rises to a height of 131 feet. Made of white marble, outlined in inlaid black stone, the minaret has three stories each of with a projecting balcony and topped by an octagonal chattri (domed kiosk) with multi-cusped arches.

Although no longer used to call the faithful to prayer, each minaret does include a winding, internal staircase that leads up to its gallery. Pishtaq Pishtaq On each of the four identical facades of the tomb is a grand central portal, known as a pishtaq or iwan. Its recessed arch, which provides a sense of depth, is bordered by a rectangular frame that is inlaid in black marble with inscriptions of Koranic verse. The spandrels of the pishtaq (the triangular spaces on either side of the point of the arch) are decorated with carved arabesque and floral motifs inlaid with precious stones. On each side of the pishtaq is a two-story alcove, which is replicated at the tomb's corners, and the spandrels of its arches feature delicately inlaid flowers. These decorative patterns, found throughout the tomb, were created by adapting the western pietra dura technique, believed to have been imported to the court during the reign of the emperor Jahangir. Small shards of precious and semi-precious stones are arranged to make a complex floral pattern and inlaid into a marble base. What was the Taj Mahal built to represent?

Which architectural aspect do you find most impressive? Taj Mahal - Easy Tours of India Easy Tours of India Save Time. Consult a Specialist Now - 888 597 9274 / 512 345 1122 Toggle navigation Attire What : The Taj Mahal undoubtedly is the most popular tourist attraction amongst India’s long and impressive list of monuments. The Taj Mahal, popularized over the centuries as a symbol of undying love and eternal devotion, gets over three million visitors every year. The Taj Mahal is located in the north western city of Agra and was built by the fifth great Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan who was inconsolable over the death of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Long considered the most beautiful building in the world and the inspiration of great works in poetry, prose and art, the Taj Mahal has fascinated visitors from around the world for centuries. The Taj Mahal has been on the UNESCO List of World Heritage Sites since 1983 and is counted amongst one of the wonders of the world. Considered the pinnacle of Mughal architecture in India, the Taj Mahal complex took over twenty two years to build.

Construction of the complex commenced in 1631 and ended in 1653. The main mausoleum alone was built in a period of eight years. A workforce of over 20,000 laborers augmented by a variety of beasts of burden and elephants along with an army of artisans from as far afield as Central Asia, Persia and Arabia was committed to the project. What emerged from this architectural magnum opus is a monument that is peerless in its purity and magnificence. The Taj Mahal while drawing its inspiration from other Mughal garden tombs such as the Itimad-ud-Daulah Tomb and Humayun’s Tomb outdid all of these previous monuments phenomenally. For the first time white marble was used on such a scale as a principal building material as opposed to red sandstone which was the mainstay of such large projects built earlier. The design, symmetry and minimalism of the Taj Mahal add great detailing and beauty to the mausoleum. Also for the first time the Pietra Dura art form which uses marble fixtures with precious and semi-precious stone inlays to create mosaics and design motifs were applied so prolifically in a tomb.

Also used with gusto were various forms of Islamic calligraphy to fill the tomb with verses of the Quran, the Muslim Holy scripture, the 99 names of God as well as classic Persian poetic verse. The central mausoleum building of the Taj Mahal rests on a large marble base and is a multi-chambered cube with chamfered corners and is 55 meters wide at each side. This is topped by a massive onion dome which is 35 meters in height and is topped with a large brass finial with an Islamic crescent ascendant towards the heavens. Inside the main burial chamber of the Taj Mahal there has been extensive use of the Pietra Dura art form (which is known locally in India as Parchin Kari) along with calligraphy to create a rich Islamic and Arabesque patterned mosaic. In the center of the main burial chamber are the Cenotaphs of the Empress Mumtaz Mahal as well as Shah Jahan who was buried here in 1666 despite persistent rumors that he intended to make a matching mausoleum of black marble right across the Jamuna River in a symmetrical pattern to the Taj Mahal of his empress.

Around the main mausoleum building of the Taj Mahal are four huge white marble minarets that reach over 40 meters into the sky. While many have conjectured that the minarets have tilted outwardly from the Taj Mahal because of age, this slight tilt was an intentional design element to prevent damage to the tomb in the event of a collapse due to any seismic activity such as an earthquake. The Taj Mahal has been built to pristine symmetry and is identical on all four sides of the building’s fascia. This obsession with symmetry, attributed to Emperor Shah Jahan, transcends the main mausoleum building of the Taj Mahal Complex into other structures as well. Around the Taj Mahal is the Char Bagh Garden. This is a huge Mughal themed garden which is quartered into four symmetrical blocks partitioned by waterways that have been designed to provide perfect reflections of the Taj Mahal. On the west side of the Taj Mahal is the main congregational mosque in the complex which is built out of red sandstone.

In an effort to maintain the perfection of the symmetry of the complex, a mirror image of the mosque was built at the east side of the Mausoleum which was titled “Jawab” which means “the answer” and serves no functionality other than to preserve the design balance of the Taj Mahal complex. Around the Taj Mahal there are three main entrances which again are identical 30 meter tall arches that can be used to enter the complex. Another point of interest within the Taj Mahal complex is the Taj Museum which has an interesting collection of Mughal miniature paintings, gold and silver coins of the period as well as a collection of Caledon plates and other royal artifacts. When : As with the rest of India, any tour to Agra to see the Taj Mahal needs to be planned around two major weather phenomena, namely the searing summers and the extremely wet monsoon rains. This makes the period between October and April the best time to come and tour the Taj Mahal in Agra without being inundated by either. It is also very important that visitors plan the timing of their tour of the Taj Mahal right to get maximum benefit out of the trip.

For enthusiasts of photography, going to the Taj Mahal early in the morning or late at sunset gives you the best photography opportunities. Furthermore, the Taj Mahal is closed on Friday to all visitors except Muslims coming to pray at its congregational mosque. Similarly the famous moonlight tour of the Taj Mahal is offered only on select nights every month (the night of the full-moon and two nights preceding and following the full moon) to a limited number of visitors and must be booked in advance to ensure availability. Where : The Taj Mahal is located in the city of Agra in the western part of the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh (UP). The city is around 200 kilometers away from the Federal Capital of New Delhi . Agra along with Delhi and Jaipur forms part of India’s Golden Triangle which is the most frequently visited tourism circuit in the country. While Agra has a domestic airport and a new green-field international airport is being planned, there are at present no regularly scheduled commercial flights to the city. For the international tourist traveling to see the Taj Mahal, the most convenient international gateway is Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport. The airport offers convenient connections and a plethora of airline carrier options.

From Delhi, the most convenient way to commence a tour of the Taj Mahal is by a modern, access controlled, six-lane highway called the Yamuna Expressway. The drive time between Delhi and Agra on the highway is around two hours and can be traversed comfortably in a luxury vehicle. Who : It is considered gospel truth in global tourism circles that no tour to India is ever complete without a visit to Agra and the fabulous Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal with its matchless magnificence would be of great interest to fans of history, culture, architecture as well as for enthusiasts of romance, poetry and folklore. The Taj Mahal because of its architectural beauty has been of particular interest to fans of photography, videography as well as art lovers from around the world. Appropriate Attire : As any tour of the Taj Mahal requires considerable amount of walking around the complex, guests should opt for slip-on shoes and socks for maximum convenience. Also since part of the Taj Mahal complex is a functioning mosque with regular prayer services visitors are required to wear respectable and modest clothing. Considering the tropical weather of north India, it is therefore advisable that visitors wear loose breathable cotton clothing that covers arms, legs and shoulders.

While visiting the mosque in the Taj Mahal complex women visitors are required to cover their heads so keeping a scarf or a head covering is advisable. Taj Mahal, Agra, India - History, Map, Timings, Entry Fee, Location Taj Mahal Home » Agra » Taj Mahal, Agra Taj Mahal, Agra Taj Mahal: The Taj Mahal, often referred as the "Crown of Palaces" is a marvel creation of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. It was built by him in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Side view: The white marble structure on a square plinth is surrounded by four minarets on corners. The chamber bears the counterfeit sarcophagi of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal. Each minaret is over 40 metres in height. Yamuna River: The riverfront terrace of the Taj Mahal gives you a view of the Yamuna River, which during Mughal times was considered equivalent to the rivers of paradise. If you're visiting Taj Mahal, don't miss the view. Floor: The Taj Mahal is a lot more than a white-domed mausoleum.

It is a complex having several tombs, the small town of 'Mumtazabad', a moonlight garden, and other structures spread over an area of 22.44 hectares. Mosque: The riverfront terrace houses the mausoleum, mosque and jawab. The mosque and jawab are almost identical structures on the two sides of the mausoleum. These add to the magnificence of the Taj Mahal. Taj Museum: This two-storied building offers a view of the past. It showcases 121 antiquities, including arms, manuscripts, specimen of calligraphy, utensils, paintings etc. Highly recommended for those who want to explore more. Taj Mahal Controversy The Taj Mahal is more than just a mausoleum - it is has been described by the poet Rabindranath Tagore as a "teardrop on the cheek of eternity".

As an expression of the height of the Mughal dynasty's architectural genius in the Indian subcontinent, as the symbol of a bereaved emperor's love for his empress, and as an inspiration to countless photographers and artists who have tried to capture its many subtle nuances of light and shade, the Taj Mahal continues to captivate people worldwide with its history, its design, and its symbolism of eternal love. About the Taj Mahal The Taj Mahal is an integrated complex of structures that include a white marble mausoleum containing the tombs of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan (1592 - 1666) and his third wife Mumtaz Mahal (1593-1631). The Mughal dynasty built many mausoleums in the Indian subcontinent but the Taj Mahal is undoubtedly the finest. The mausoleum is built entirely of white marble, set on a high base or plinth which includes four tall minarets, one on each corner.

On either side of the tomb are a mosque and a guest house, while the tomb faces a garden laid out in the "charbagh" style, with a central walkway with fountains and viewing platforms with green spaces and trees on either side. The entrance to the complex is through a grand ornamental gateway, inscribed with Quranic inscriptions and the calligraphed line"O Soul, thou art at rest. Return to the Lord at peace with Him, and He at peace with you." Location of the Taj Mahal The Taj Mahal is located in Agra , in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is located on the banks of the River Yamuna in Agra and is easily accessible by road. Location Map of Taj Mahal Disclaimer Close Disclaimer: All efforts have been made to make this image accurate. However Compare Infobase Limited and its directors do not own any responsibility for the correctness or authenticity of the same. How to Reach the Taj Mahal The Taj Mahal is located in Agra, in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Agra is about 200 km from Delhi (165 if you use the Yamuna Expressway) and is easily accessible by flights, roadways and train services.

The travel time from Delhi to Agra by road is just over 3 hours by road. In order to minimize the effects of pollution, vehicles are not allowed in the immediate vicinity of the Taj Mahal. Cars and buses have to park in parking lots a short distance away from the mausoleum complex and tourists can board non-polluting electric buses to reach the Taj Mahal. You can travel from Delhi to Agra, see the Taj Mahal, and return in one day. However, if you wish to see more of the sights of Agra and shop in the city's markets, then it is a good idea to stay overnight in Agra. Best Time To Visit the Taj Mahal The best time to visit the Taj Mahal is in the autumn, winter and spring months from October to February. The peak summer months of May to July are best avoided because of the hot weather. The months of October and November,after the monsoon, offer the sight of the Taj at its mesmerising best, as the gardens are lush with greenery and the Yamuna river flows proudly past the Taj Mahal, swollen with post-monsoon rain. Both these factors enhance the overall experience of viewing the Taj Mahal.

Taj Mahal Timings The Taj Mahal complex is open for visitors from sunrise to sunset (6 a.m. to 7 p.m.) on all weekdays, with the exception of Friday. On Fridays the mosque in the Taj Mahal complex is open for prayers from 12 noon to 2 p.m. At this time tourists are not permitted to enter the complex. On full-moon nights, and one night before and after a full-moon, the Taj Mahal complex is open for visitors who wish to view the Taj by moonlight - a truly spectacular sight. The moonlight viewing sessions are not permitted during the month of Ramadan and on Fridays. While travelling to the Taj Mahal complex, do note that security restrions apply at the complex and the only items a tourist may carry into the grounds are the following: mobile phones, still cameras, small video cameras, small purses carried by ladies, and water in transparent bottles. Location of Taj Mahal, Agra Taj Mahal - Entry Fee, Timing, Address, Official Website Address Allowed Wi-Fi Visitors can use free wi-fi internet service for half an hour inside the complex. Rs. 30 per hour will be charged for using the facility after half-an-hour.

Taj Mahal Myths There are many myths associated with the Taj Mahal, some of which have been repeated so many times over the centuries that they have become part of the perceived history of this beautiful monument. The myth of the Black Taj: One of the myths can be traced back to the European traveller Jean Baptiste Tavernier who made a trip to Agra in 1665. He claimed that Shah Jahan wanted to build a a similar mausoleum made of black marble. However he was unable to fulfil this dream since he was deposed by his son Aurangzeb. There is no archaeological evidence for this theory. Archaeologists offered an alternative explanation in 2006 when restoration work was carried out on the Moonlight Garden in the Taj Mahal complex, which includes a clear pool. The white marble mausoleum is reflected in the dark pool at night. The dark reflection is positioned in perfect symmetry with the mausoleum and may have given rise to the myth of the black mausoleum to complement the Taj Mahal.

The myths of mutilation of the artisans and craftsmen: Contrary to public perception there is no historic evidence for the many stories about architects being blinded, artisans having their hands chopped off or architects being thrown off the heights of the mausoleum in order to prevent them from ever creating such perfection. Another myth claims that the artisans all had to sign contracts that they would never again build a similar structure. However there is no evidence for this either. The myth that the British planned to demolish and sell off the Taj piecemeal: According to the myth, Lord William Bentinck, then Governor General of India, intended to break down the Taj Mahal and sell it off as blocks of marble. The apparent reason for this myth is explained by the biographer of Lord Bentinck, John Roselli, who explains that Bentinck did sell discarded blocks of marble from Agra Fort, in an effort to raise funds for the local administration. The myth that the Taj Mahal was built by a Hindu ruler: There have been several stories circulated that the Taj Mahal is not a Mughal structure but existed before Shah Jahan's time.

There is no evidence to support these ideas and both the Supreme Court of India and the Allahabad High court have dismissed petitions that aim to propagate these unfounded opinions. Taj Mahal History The history of the Taj Mahal is also the one of the world's greatest love stories. It began in 1607 when the Mughal Prince Khurram (later known as the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan) first set eyes on the beautiful Arjumand Banu Begum. She was the niece of the the empress Meherunissa (later the Empress Nur Jahan). Khurram, the son of the Emperor Jahangir, expressed his desire to marry Arjumand and some years thereafter their marriage was celebrated with great pomp and splendour. Khurram (Shah Jahan) Khurram (1592 - 1666) was the third son of the Emperor Jahangir (1569-1627) and was born to Princess Manmati from the Rajput royal family of Marwar.

In a time when many marriages such as his parents' was a matter of state policy, sealing allegiances between kingdoms, a love story such as Khurram and Arjumand's was rare indeed. Khurram was a favourite of his grandfather, the Mughal Emperor Akbar (1542 - 1605) and was brought up along with his brothers in the manner suited to a Mughal Prince. The Mughal court was rife with intrigue and Khurram's eldest brother Prince Khusrau rose in rebellion against their father Jahangir in 1606. The rebellion was crushed and Khusrau was blinded as a punishment. Khurram had stayed out of this intrigue and was rewarded for his loyalty and named Jahangir's heir in 1607 at the tender age of 15. It was the same year that he met and fell in love with Arjumand, who was just 14 year's old at the time. Mumtaz Mahal Arjumand Banu Begum was the daughter of Asaf Khan, the elder brother of the Empress Nurjahan.

She was the granddaughter of Mirza Ghias Beg, a Persian aristocrat who rose to become the treasurer and Itimad-ud-daulah (Pillar of the State) in the Mughal court. Khurram and Arjumand met at a Meena Bazaar, a women's market within the palace walls where Jahangir's queens and the noble women of the court displayed items that they had made for the courtiers to purchase. Arjumand was at a stall where she displayed some of her handpainted pottery wares. The story goes that Khurram was so enraptured by her that he bought the entire contents of her stall with a gold coin. Because of their young age, they were engaged to be married for 5 years before their wedding in 1612. After their wedding Arjumand was given the title 'Mumtaz Mahal' Begum (the Chosen One of the Palace).

Emperor and Empress Their marriage was a blissful one and Khurram, who came to the throne as the Emperor Shah Jahan in 1628, after the death of his father Jahangir, drew great strength from the support that Mumtaz Mahal provided. During the course of their married life they had 14 children (of whom 7 survived) and Mumtaz Mahal travelled with Shah Jahan across the length and breadth of the Mughal Empire, even camping near battlegrounds as Shah Jahan consolidated the frontiers of his empire. As his confidante and life partner Mumtaz Mahal brought Shah Jahan the comforts of home and family, even when they were far away from their imperial palaces. It was at one such military campaign in Burhanpur, in 1631, that Mumtaz Mahal breathed her last, giving birth to her 14th child, Gauharara Begum, who survived to live to the age of 75. The court records of the time describe Shah Jahan's immense grief at the loss of his beautiful wife and ever-present companion.

It is said that he went into mourning for a year, his hair turned grey and he never remarried. A tomb like none other Mumtaz Mahal's body was buried at the time in a garden in Burhanpur, but was later disinterred and carried in a golden casket back to Agra. It was temporarily buried in a royal garden near the banks of the river Yamuna. Shah Jahan completed his military campaign in Burhanpur and began to envision the tomb he would build in memory of his lost love. Shah Jahan's reign is considered the golden age of Mughal architecture, in which he had constructed the city of Shahjahanabad in Delhi, including the Red Fort and Jama Masjid, the Moti Masjid in Agra, expanded the Lahore Fort and the pleasure gardens in Srinagar, Kashmir. He had a keen interest in architecture and wished to leave a legacy behind, not only in the form of the Mughal empire which he expanded, but also in its architecture, arts and aesthetics. The pinnacle of his architectural achievement is the tomb he laboured 22 years to build.

Constructed over a period from 1632 to 1653, the Taj Mahal was the ultimate expression of the love of Shah Jahan for Mumtaz Mahal. Their ornamental graves lie side by side in a chamber below the main floor of the Taj Mahal. Close together for eternity, never to be parted, their love story is the unforgettable history of the Taj Mahal. Significance of the Taj Mahal The Taj Mahal has great significance as the epitome of Mughal architecture in the Indian subcontinent. The mausoleum and its surrounding complex of buildings are a lesson in both Mughal history and Mughal architecture. Studying the calligraphy, the inlaid carvings, the perfect proportions of the buildings, and the geometric precision of their construction, once cannot but marvel at the excellence of the craftsmanship that has stood the test of time, but also the inspiration behind this timeless wonder. Scholars of history, architects, textile and jewellery designers, painters and photographers have all found inspiration in the perfection of this historic tomb, a monument to love, an aesthetic wonder, and a delight to the eye.

The Taj Mahal not only has great significance as the epitome of Mughal architecture in the Indian subcontinent, but also as an inspiration for other monuments, both in Mughal and more recent times. Some of the buildings inspired by the Taj Mahal are: the Bibi Ka Maqbara in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, (the tomb of Aurangzeb's wife, Dilras Banu Begum or Rabia-ud-Daurani), the Taj Mahal Bangladesh (a replica of the original built in 2008, in Sonargaon near Dhaka), the Tripoli Shrine Temple in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (this is not a religious building and is an example of Moorish revival architecture), and the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City (a casino in New Jersey, USA). Taj Mahal Facts Construction: The Taj Mahal was contructed over a time span of 23 years. Construction began in 1632 (after Mumtaz Mahal's death in 1631) and was completed around 1653.

Timeframe: Construction of the main mausoleum was completed in 1648 and the surrounding buildings and garden were completed after another five years. Number of workers: Twenty-thousand artisans and craftsmen worked to construct the building, lay the lawns and carry out the intricate carvings and inlay work. Architects: The chief architect was Ustad Ahmad Lahauri or Ustad Isa. Other craftsmen who worked on the building were: Amanat Khan from Shiraz in Iran, who was the chief calligrapher, Chiranjilal, a n expert on precious stones, from Delhi, who was the chief decorative sculptor, Muhammad Hanif, who was chief supervisor of the masons and Abd ul-Karim Ma'mur Khan and Makramat Khan who managed the finances and the daily production on the construction site. Role of elephants: Over a 1,000 elephants were put to work on the construction site, to lift, carry and transport logs, blocks of marble and any other material that was required across the construction site. Source of the material used in construction: About 28 different varieties of semi-precious and precious stones were used in the inlay work inside the tomb.

The stones included lapis lazuli from Afghanistan, sapphire came from Sri Lanka, turquoise was from Tibet, jade and crystal from China, carnelian from Arabia and jasper from Punjab. The white marble was sourced from Makrana in Rajasthan. Total cost of the construction: Scholars have estimated that the total cost of constructing the Taj Mahal may have been about 32 million Rupees at that time. Shah Jahan's imprisonment: Shah Jahan was deposed by his son Aurangzeb, in 1654, one year after the construction of the Taj Mahal was completed. Shah Jahan lived out the last decade of his life, till his death in 1666, as a prisoner in Agra Fort. He spent his days gazing across the Yamuna river to the monument he had built in memory of his lost love. When Shah Jahan died in 1666, Aurangzeb had him entombed beside his beloved Mumtaz Mahal. There they rest, united by death, never to be parted again. Architecture of the Taj Mahal The Taj Mahal is considered the pinnacle of aesthetic achievement in Mughal architecture.

The Mughals had previously built many impressive structures in India, including the imposing forts at Delhi and Agra, the city of Fatehpur Sikri, the grand Jama Masjid in Delhi, and the austere tomb of Akbar in Sikandra. The Taj Mahal, was inspired by the rich tradition of Mughal architecture and the tombs of their ancestors, such as the tomb of Timur the Lame, called Gur-e-Amir, in Samarkand; the grand tomb of Humayun in Delhi; and the tomb of Mirza Ghias Beg (Itimad-ud-Daulah, the royal treasurer and father of Nur Jehan) in Agra, which is also known as the Baby Taj because of its fine marble inlay work. In his construction of the The Taj Mahal, however, Shah Jahan further developed the architectural expression of the Mughal style and raised it to perfection carved in stone. One of the major design changes that Shah Jahan brought about in the Taj Mahal was the predominant use of white marble. Previously, tombs - such as Humayun's tomb - were constructed mostly out of red sandstone.

The use of marble and its decoration with semi-precious and precious stones in the form of detailed inlay work was a new innovation that raised the tomb from a mausoleum to a work of art. The Taj Mahal Complex The entire set of buildings that constitute the Taj Mahal complex include an impressive decorative gateway, inscribed with inscriptions from the Quran; a spacious garden bisected by a central walkway in which viewing platforms, fountains and water channels are placed; a high plinth or base on which the white marble mausoleum rests, flanked on each of its four corners by a minaret. Finally, on one side of the marble tomb is a guest house while on the other is a mosque, which complete the symmetrical arrangement of the Taj Mahal complex. The location of these buildings amidst gardens alongside the flowing Yamuna river, create a harmonious arrangement of the marble Taj Mahal appearing like a white jewel amidst the green lawns, silhouetted against the blue sky and reflected in the rippling water. The main Mausoleum The main mausoleum is a symmetrical square building that rests on a high plinth.

It can be entered through an iwan, or high arched doorway, and its roof is a giant onion-shaped dome topped with a proud gilded finial. The external walls of the square mausoleum are 55 metres long on each side and have chamfered corners, which lead to the building being shapeed like an unequal octagon. On each long wall there is a vaulted archway or pishtaq around the iwan. On both sides of the arch are smaller pishtaqs in the form of arched balconies. These structures also appear on the chamfered corners of the octagon adding to the overall symmetry of the structure. Dome of the Taj Mahal The grand onion-shaped dome of the Taj Mahal is an impressive 35-metres high and is placed on a 7-metre high cylinder-shaped base. At each of the four corners of the building there are small chattris whose dome-like structures mirror the shape of the main dome. At the apex of the main dome and the smaller chattris is a lotus motif surmounted by a finial, which was originally gold but is now gilded bronze polished to shine in splendour, reflected by the white marble structure beneath it.

On the tip of the finial is a crescent moon, whose ends point upward. The finial's tip and the ends of the crescent moon together also appear to form a trident. This, along with the lotus designs, are examples of the fusion of Indian and Persian motifs in the Mughal school of architecture. The base of the chattris form openings into the main hall of the tomb, allowing light to enter from each corner. The main hall of the Taj Mahal The main hall contains the false decorative tombs of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan. This area has some of the finest marble lattice-work carvings and pietra dura inlay work that the world has ever seen. The actual tombs of the Mughal Empress and Emperor are placed below the main hall and can be viewed by climbing down a flight of stairs to a lower chamber. This was a precaution to prevent looting and desecration of the actual tombs. The Minarets The main tomb building is flanked by four minarets, slightly beyond the outer edge of the plinth, one on each corner. The minarets are aligned with the chamfered corners of the tomb.

The minarets have a height of more than 40 metres and are constructed in such a way that if they were ever to fall they would fall away from the tomb and thus cause no damage, instead of falling towards the main structure. Each minaret has three balconies, two along its height and one at the top, covered by a chattri decorated with the lotus motif and ending in a gilded finial. Decorative elements of the Taj Mahal Forbidden by their religion to depict any human forms, the craftsmen and artisans covered the walls of the tomb with symmetrical, geometric designs, floral motifs, and calligraphed inscriptions from the Quran. Abd ul-Haq, one of the calligraphers who worked on the tomb received the title Amanat Khan from Shah Jahan in recognition of his excellence. He has left his mark on the tomb by incribing the line "Written by the insignificant being, Amanat Khan Shirazi" on the base of the inner side of the dome. The pietra dura or marble inlay work seen in the Taj Mahal required skilled craftsmanship of a very high degree.

Floral and geometric designs were cut into the polished white marble and cut sections of semi-precious and precious stones were embedded in them to create intricate paterns on the tombs and inner walls of the mausoleum. The stones used for the inlay work include jade, jasper and black and yellow marble. The actual tombs in the Taj Mahal The false tombs in the main hall of the Taj Mahal are surrounded by finely carved latticework or jali screens. Placed in an octagonal shape the jalis screen the tombs from the gaze of onlookers. The actual tombs are placed in a chamber below the main hall. A marble casket containing the remains of Mumtaz Mahal rests on a marble base in the centre of the lower chamber. Inscribed on the casket are words that name and praise her . Her casket is decorated with elaborate inlay work and a carving of a writing tablet, often seen on the tombs of Mughal noblewomen. Shah Jahan's tomb, which is larger in size and covered with similar elaborate inlay work, is placed off centre. The inscribed words on his tomb names him and mentions the date of his passing away from this world.

The carving on his tomb is of a pen box, often seen on tombs of Mughal noblemen and emperors. The Charbagh Gardens of the Taj Mahal The Mughals were very fond of gardens and built many beautiful parks and green spaces in their cities and within their palaces. Their tombs are usually placed in the centre of a charbagh (four-quartered) garden. The Taj Mahal differs from this pattern because the tomb is set at one end of the 300-metre garden. However, the recent discovery by the Archaeological Survey of India of the moonlit garden on the far side of the Yamuna river suggest that the Taj Mahal and its associated structures may not be restricted to one bank of the river, and the river itself may be an integral part of the design of the Taj Mahal complex. Apart from fountains and water channels along the main walkway, there is also a pool halfway along its length, in which the sublime reflection of the Taj Mahal can be seen. The design of the gardens are similar to the Shalimar Bagh, a beautiful garden in Kashmir, built by the Emperor Jahangir.

The British introduced some changes to the gardens around the Taj Mahal during their reign, but much of the original splendour still remains. Together, the gateway, the gardens, the tomb with its impressive onion dome and surrounding minarets, and the white marble perfection of the Taj Mahal, provide a sublime and humbling experience. The story of the great love that inspired an emperor to create this wonder of the world, and the incredible craftsmanship at each stage of the construction and decoration of this mausoleum is a testament to the human spirit and its need to strive for perfection. In this tribute to his beloved Mumtaz Mahal, Shah Jahan created not only a mausoleum for his Empress, but also an inspiration for lovers worldwide, and proof carved in stone of what can be achieved when an Emperor resolves to achieve his dream. Taj Mahal Controversy A controversy was sought to be created about the Taj Mahal by the self-proclaimed professor Purushottam Nagesh Oak (1917 - 2007), who founded the Institute for Rewriting Indian History in 1964.

He was the author of many articles and books on Indian history, most of which propounded his ideas that many of the world's civilizations emerged from the Hindu civilization. He also claimed that many iconic structures such as the Kaaba, the Vatican,and the Taj Mahal were originally Hindu temples. His views were not given much credence and when he filed a public interest litigation claiming that the Taj Mahal was not built during the reign of Shah Jahan, and was a pre-existing Hindu structure, his petition was dismissed by the Supreme Court of India, in the year 2000. P.N. Oak claimed that the Taj Mahal was an existing mansion and the property of a Hindu nobleman. He also claimed it was a Hindu structure called the Tejomahalaya. He was unable to subtantiate his claims, however, and the Supreme Court of India censured P.N. Oak,describing his petition as 'misconceived' and 'an abuse of the process of the court'. The Justices of the court, Ms. Justice Ruma Pal and Mr. Justice S.P.

Bharucha claimed the petitioner had a 'bee in his bonnet' about the pre-existence of a Hindu structure, which he had been unable to prove. Another petition by Mr Amar Nath Mishra, claiming the Indian government should investigate his views that the the Hindu ruler Parmar Dev built the Taj Mahal in 1196, was dismissed by the Allahabad high court in 2005. Mr Oak's brand of history has been criticized by eminent historians both in India and abroad. Dr K. N. Panikkar, a Marxist historian and former member of the University Grants Commission and Indian Council for Social Science Research has placed P.N. Oak's book Taj Mahal: The True Story, in the realm of attempts to create a communially polarized interpretation of the history of India, while Dr Srinivas Aravamudan, Professor of English, Literature and Romance Studies at Duke University, describes him as a 'mythistorian'. Dr Giles Tillotson, former Director of the Royal Asiatic Society, London, has described his Oak's work as 'a startling piece of pseudo-scholarship'.

The controversy about the origin of the structure has, hopefully, been laid to rest with the judgement of the Supreme Court, however, it still finds believers among Hindu right-wing communities who circulate material propagating this view online. There are extensive court records that prove the Taj Mahal was undoubtedly constructed during the reign of the Mughal Emperor. Its mixture of Persian, Mughal and Hindu motifs, such as the lotus motifs on its dome and chattris, make it an example of India's syncretic past and it is today a part of the cultural heritage of secular India. The Taj Mahal, is now one of the most recognized structures worldwide, and has been voted one of the modern seven wonders of the world. As a symbol of excellence it has inspired not only scholars, poets and architects, but in India you will find a popular brand of tea named after it and also a chain of luxury Taj Mahal hotels. Many Indian restaurants worldwide cash in on its brand name recognition as a symbol of Indian excellence. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Taj Mahal has been recognized as part of the cultural heritage of the world and a monument that has withstood the ravages of both time and controversy.

Last Updated on: June 17, 2015

Question: The Taj Mahal in India was constructed as a?
Answer: Tomb