Introduction of Taj Mahal
One of the world’s seven wonders, the Taj Mahal is located in Agra on the Yamuna River. Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan commissioned the structure’s construction as a memorial to his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. In addition, it contains the grave of Shah Jahan himself. It is one of the world’s most stunning structures, built entirely of white marble in the 17th century and considered the world’s most beautiful structure. More than the entire population of Agra passes through the beautiful gates each year to see this unique structure!
With its name translating to “Crown of Palaces” in the Persian language, the Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tomb is rectangular in design and is entered through a massive doorway with an arch and alcoves on either side. The presence of water channels and fountains at the monument’s entry adds to the overall spectacle of the structure. The reflection of this magnificent scene in the Yamuna is so flawless that it nearly seems lyrical in its beauty!
Beginning in 1631 and taking 17 years to build, the Taj Mahal is the largest structure in the world. It is located on approximately 42 acres of land. It was made out of white marble sourced from Makrana, Rajasthan, for the project.
Who built Taj Mahal
In 1628, the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan (reigned 1628–58) commissioned the construction of the Taj Mahal as a tomb for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal (“Chosen One of the Palace”). Since their marriage in 1612, she had been the Emperor’s unbreakable companion, and she died in labor in 1631, after having been his inseparable companion since that time.
Taj Mahal story
A monument for Shah Jahan’s wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died while giving birth to their 14th child in 1631, the Taj Mahal was erected by Shah Jahan. The emperor was devastated by her death, and it is reported that his hair went grey overnight. The Taj Mahal was built in 1632. After eight years of construction, the main building was completed, but the entire complex wasn’t finished until 1653. When Shah Jahan spent building the Agra Fort, his son Aurangzeb overthrew him and imprisoned him there. All he could do was stare through a window at his magnificent work of art for the rest of his days. After Shah Jahan died in 1666, his remains were interred with Mumtaz’s.
From India and Central Asia, more than 20,000 individuals helped build this stunning structure. A team of experts from Europe was called to create the gorgeous marble screens and pietradura (a marble inlay consisting of hundreds of semi-precious stones). UNESCO documented the Taj Mahal as a World Heritage Site in 1983. It’s still as spotless as the day it was built. In the early 20th century, the monument underwent a significant renovation.
Taj Mahal timings
The Taj Mahal is generally available to visitors from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day, except on Fridays, except for holidays (as it remains closed for prayers). The monument’s gates are open for night viewing every full moon from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. and the two days after and before the full moon, for a total of five days of viewing.
Taj Mahal facts
Some believe that the Taj Mahal was originally a Shiva temple built in the 12th century, which was later turned into a memorial for Mumtaz Mahal. This is a widely held belief. Purushottam Nagesh Oak is credited with developing this hypothesis. In 2000, he filed a petition with the Supreme Court, requesting that the locked underground rooms be opened to test his idea. The court denied the petition. Another tale concerns the fabled Black Taj Mahal. Numerous individuals claimed that Shah Jahan had intended to construct an altered image of the monument in black marble on the monument’s opposite side. The construction of the modified image had already begun before he was imprisoned by his son Aurangzeb. At Mehtab Bagh, extensive excavations were carried out, but no evidence of such a structure could be located despite their efforts.
Taj Mahal inside
The mausoleum itself is made of white marble that reflects the intensity of sunlight or moonlight. A large central arch rising to 108 feet (33 meters) at its peak, chamfered (slanted) corners enclosing smaller angles. Four smaller domes surround the majestic primary dome, which rises 240 feet (73 meters) at its final. A single flute note reverberates five times inside the central dome. The mausoleum’s interior features an octagonal marble chamber with low-relief decorations and semiprecious stones (pietradura). Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan’s cenotaphs are there. A marble filigree screen encloses the faux tombs. Sarcophagi lay beneath the graves in the garden. Elegant minarets ornament the four corners of the square plinth, separate from the central tower.