The Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal

Due Dec-9th-2010

The Taj Mahal stands for the finest and most sophisticated example of Mughal architecture which owes its origins to Shah Jahan the Mughal Emperor. It is the resultant of almost 20 years of human efforts constructed in remembrance of the Mumtaz Mahal, his beloved wife. This monument is an example of an artifact which harmonized fine features to the last detail. It has been voted as one of the seven wondors of the world. It symbolizes the epitome of love, the elegy in marble, endless love and devotion of Emperor Shah Jehan to his beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal. It has become a signature monument of Indian architecture and stands out as the jewel in the crown.

It is an integrated complex of structures that combined architectural elements and styles from Persian, Turkish, Indian and Islamic styles. It is not clear as to who designed the Taj Mahal, although as per ICOMOS report Ustad Ahmad Lahauri is generally considered as the principal designer of Taj Mahal. . Elevation, superstructure, balanced and symmetrical combination of its parts gives Taj Mahal a wonderful artistic and visual effect. Therefore, it is seen more as a work of beauty than a mere Mughal mausoleum. UNESCO declared it as a heritage site in 1983.

Mumtaz Mahal, the wife of Shah Jahan died in 1631. The story goes that Mumtaz Mahal extracted four promises from the emperor while she was alive, firstly, he will build the Taj a mosulem in her memory, secondly he should marry again, thirdly, he will be kind to their children, and fourthly, he would visit the tomb on her death anniversary.

Shah Jahan chose to construct the monument on the banks of the Yamuna River on the southern edge of Agra on a piece of land purchased from Raja Jai Singh . Lot of efforts went into stabilise the sands on the river bank. Construction of the tomb began in 1631 and was completed in 1653 as inscribed by the calligrapher Amanat Khan on the north arch of the gate which says "Finished with His help, the Most High".

The construction had employed twenty thousand people and the material was brought in from all over India and central Asia. The building had walls of brick which are few meters thick and rubble inner cores faced with either marble or sandstone locked together with iron dowels and clamps. Building materials were transported using elephants and marble was brought from Makrana in Rajasthan. The construction of the building had cost 5,000,000 Rupees. The emperor ensured that the monument became a place for seeking eternal peace with arrangements for continuous recitation of Quran and the prayers to the god.

The complete complex of the Taj Mahal extends over an area of 561.2 m X 300.84 m and comprises of five main elements: the main gateway