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The Taj Mahal (Crown Palace), regarded as one of the eight wonders of the
world, is located in Agra, India, How
Agra Got The Taj? a mausoleum of white marble built under
Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan (means Emperor of the Universe, throne ascension
1628 - died 1666 AD) in memory of his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal and is
the most beautiful monument built by the Mughals, the Muslim (Islam) rulers of
India. Taj Mahal location is considered ideal by Vaastu experts.
French jeweler Tavernier was a witness to the whole construction, at this
time the Mughal empire was at its peak.
Mumtaz Mahal (inspiration of Taj Majal Agra), whose name means Chosen One of the Palace, had been more than
the emperor’s wife. Indeed, Shah Jahan had a number of wives. But Mumtaz
Mahal was the love of his life. She was his best friend and his most trusted
political adviser. Mumtaz Mahal bore 14 children; seven of them survived.
She died in 1631 after giving birth to a healthy baby girl.
After his wife’s death, Shah Jahan reportedly locked himself in his rooms
and refused food for eight days. According to legend, when the emperor
emerged from his seclusion, his black beard - visible in many Mughal
miniature paintings - had turned completely white.
Tajh Mahal is a Mausoleum that houses the grave of queen Mumtaz Mahal (real
name Arjumand Banu) in the lower chamber. The grave of Shah Jahan (real name
Shahab-ud-din, also popularly known as Prince Khurram) was added to it later.
In Mughal tradition, important royal ladies were usually renamed either at
the time of marriage or at some significant event of their lives and
publicly referred by the new name.
The Tag Mahal (also "the Taj") is considered the finest example of Mughal
architecture, a style that combines elements from Persian, Turkish, Indian,
and Islamic architectural styles. In 1983, the TajMahal became a UNESCO
World Heritage Site and was cited as "the jewel of Muslim art in India and
one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage. "Some
Western historians have remarked that Taz Mahal's architectural beauty continues to be
unsurpassed and is beyond description particularly at dawn and sunset.
Various descriptions say as if the Tal Mahal seems to glow in the full moon light
or seems to be suspended when viewed from across the Yamuna on a foggy
morning. Taz Mahal brings out the inside poet of every one. One of the most
visually abused monuments, with millions of photographs, yet, still
surpasses all of it when one views it. Once viewed in such setting, it
becomes one of your's enduring Taj Mahal images.
While the white domed marble and tile mausoleum is most familiar, Tal Mahal
is an integrated symmetric complex of structures that was completed around
1648. Ustad Ahmad Lahauri is generally considered to be the principal
designer of the Taj Mahal.
22 years in construction, 20,000 workers at it, Taj Mahal was finished in
1648 AD at a cost of 32 Million Rupees (or at $ 1 million at today’s prices
and today it will be about 10 million trillion dollars @ 10% annual
increase).
The famous Islamic master architect of his time, Lahore born Ustad ‘Isa’s
name is seen on the construction documents and was also a mathematician and
an astronomer of high repute. The documents have the names of those employed
and the inventory of construction materials and their origin. His name is
attributed to Red Fort in Delhi as well.
The construction of the Taj Ma hall was entrusted to a board of architects
under imperial supervision, as was customary during the reign of Shah Jahan.
The architects involved included Abd ul-Karim Ma'mur Khan, Makramat Khan,
and Ustad Ahmed Lahwari.
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 Taj Design Detail
On a raised, square platform (186 x 186 feet) with its four corners
truncated, forming an unequal octagon with architectural design of
interlocking arabesque concept, perfectly integrating with the main
structure is Taj Ma Hall. Principles of self-replicating geometry, a symmetry of
architectural elements are abundantly visible.
Its central dome is fifty-eight feet in diameter and rises to a height of
213 feet. It is flanked by four subsidiary domed chambers. The four
graceful, slender minarets are 162.5 feet each. The entire mausoleum (inside
as well as outside) is decorated with inlaid design of flowers and
calligraphy using precious gems such as agate and jasper. The main archways,
chiseled with passages from the Holy Qur’an and the bold scroll work of
flowery pattern.
The superb calligraphic inscriptions of Tai Mahal were done by Iranian calligrapher, Amanat Khan, whose real name was Abd ul-Haq from Shiraz, Iran, arriving in
India in 1609. Shah Jahan conferred the title of Amanat Khan for his talent.
Other works of Amanat Khan are thought to be of the Akbar mausoleum at
Sikandra, and for that of the Madrasah Shahi Mosque at Agra.
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 Jamuna 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.
On visiting the Taj Majal, visitors will note the harmonious perspective of the gardens and canals in
Tai Mahal. The Taj Mahal feat is yet to be replicated.
Taj Mahal is in what country? Sounds silly, it is in India but belongs to
the world.
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