Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal is a beautiful ivory-white marble mausoleum located on the right bank of the river Yamuna in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. It was built by the fifth Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan, as a tomb for his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Construction began in 1631 and was completed in 1648, with additional work continuing until 1653. The Taj Mahal is not just a tomb; it also houses the tomb of Shah Jahan himself.

The Taj Mahal is part of a large 17-hectare complex that includes a mosque, a guest house, and beautiful gardens surrounded by a crenellated wall. The architecture combines Indo-Islamic and Mughal styles, featuring symmetrical designs, white marble inlaid with semi-precious stones, and red sandstone for other buildings. Over 20,000 workers and artisans helped build this magnificent structure under the guidance of chief architect Ustad Ahmad Lahori and other skilled artists from different countries.

In 1983, the Taj Mahal was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it is considered one of the greatest examples of Islamic art in India. It is one of the most famous buildings in the world and attracts over five million visitors each year. In 2007, it was named one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. Today, the Taj Mahal is carefully looked after as a Monument of National Importance by the Archaeological Survey of India.

Etymology

The name "Taj Mahal" comes from Urdu and is thought to be derived from Arabic and Persian words. The words tāj mahall mean "crown" (tāj) and "palace" (mahall). Another idea is that "taj" may come from part of the name "Mumtaz." In a book from 1636 called Padshahnama, the Taj Mahal is called rauza-i munawwara, which means the illumined or illustrious tomb.

Inspiration

The Taj Mahal was built by Shah Jahan in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who passed away in 1631. Construction began in 1632 and the main building was finished in 1648. The beautiful gardens and other buildings around it were completed five years later.

Shah Jahan loved this spot in Agra very much and chose it for the tomb. He felt very sad after losing Mumtaz and decided to build the Taj Mahal as a special reminder of their love.

Architecture and design

Main article: Origins and architecture of the Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal mixes styles from Indo-Islamic and Mughal architecture. Builders took ideas from Timurid and Mughal buildings, like the Gur-e Amir in Samarkand and Humayun's Tomb in Delhi. The whole site sits on a big platform by the Yamuna river. The platform shows patterns in light and dark sandstone.

The Taj Mahal’s main building is a white marble structure with a large dome and four identical sides. Each side has arch-shaped doors called iwans and is topped by a big dome and a decorative point called a finial. The dome is marble and has smaller domes around it, all decorated with designs like lotus flowers. Four tall towers called minarets stand at each corner, made to look like parts of a mosque.

Inside, the walls are very high and decorated with detailed stone work and designs. The room holds special stone markers for Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan, with beautiful stone screens around them. The garden around the Taj Mahal is divided into sections with paths and flowerbeds, and has a water tank and fountains. The whole area is surrounded by walls, and there are other small buildings nearby, including a mosque.

Construction

The Taj Mahal was built on land given to Shah Jahan by Raja Jai Singh I. Construction started in 1632 and the main tomb was finished in 1648. Workers used brick and lime mortar to build the complex, with white marble on the outside and red sandstone inside.

Precious stones like jade from China and turquoise from Tibet were brought in to decorate the marble. Many skilled workers from different places helped build the Taj Mahal, using special tools and methods to move and place the heavy stones.

Later years

In 1658, Shah Jahan was placed under house arrest nearby, where he could still see the Taj Mahal. He was later buried there beside his wife. In the 18th century, rulers from Bharatpur took some valuable items from the Taj Mahal.

By the late 19th century, parts of the buildings needed repair. A restoration was completed in 1908, and new gardens were added. In 1942, scaffolding was put up to hide the building during World War II. After Indian independence in 1947, a group called the Archaeological Survey of India took care of the monument.

In 1983, the Taj Mahal was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. However, pollution has caused discolouration over time. To protect it, a special area with strict rules was created around the monument. Recently, efforts have been made to repair any damage and keep the Taj Mahal looking its best.

Symbolism

Main article: Origins and architecture of the Taj Mahal § Concepts, symbolism and interpretations

The Taj Mahal is not just a beautiful building; it also carries deep meanings. It stands as a symbol of India and is famous worldwide as a sign of love. Built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, it also shows his great wealth and power.

The design of the Taj Mahal uses balance and harmony, with everything planned perfectly around a central axis. The way it is placed allows the sun to rise and set at special points on certain days, adding to its meaning. The gardens and the building itself are meant to remind visitors of a peaceful paradise. The marble changes color throughout the day, glowing in different lights, which makes it feel magical. This changing appearance links the building to the sky and suggests something divine about the place.

Tourism

The Taj Mahal is a major tourist attraction, drawing millions of visitors each year. In the financial year 2022–23, about five million people came to see it. There are different entrance fees: ₹50 for Indian citizens, ₹540 for visitors from SAARC and BIMSTEC countries, and ₹1,100 for other foreign tourists. The site is open daily except Fridays, from early morning until just before sunset, with special night viewing on full moon days.

Nearby, a small town called Taj Ganji was built to support visitors and workers. The Taj Mahal is often listed among the seven wonders of the modern world and is a popular spot for important foreign visitors to India.

Myths

Many interesting stories and ideas have grown up around the Taj Mahal since it was built. One common myth is that Emperor Shah Jahan planned to build a second, black marble mausoleum across the river as a matching building. This idea comes from writings by a European traveler named Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, who visited Agra in 1665. However, excavations in the 1990s showed that dark-looking ruins across the river were just white stones that had darkened over time.

There are also many other stories about the Taj Mahal, such as claims that other people built it instead of Shah Jahan, or that it was originally a Hindu temple. These ideas have been examined by courts and experts, who have found no evidence to support them. For example, India’s Supreme Court dismissed a petition claiming a Hindu king built the Taj Mahal, and the Archaeological Survey of India stated there is no evidence it was ever a temple.