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Browse Tourist Attractions
- Agra Fort
- Ajanta Ellora Caves
- Akshardham Temple
- Charminar
- Elephanta Caves
- Elephanta Caves Art That Depicts God Different Facets
- Fatehpur Sikri in Agra
- Gateway Of India
- Golden Temple
- Hampi
- Hawa Mahal
- Humayun Tomb
- India Gate
- Jaisalmer Fort
- Khajuraho Temples
- Konark Sun Temple
- Lake Palace
- Qutub Minar
- Red Fort
- Sanchi Stupa
- Taj Mahal
- Taj Mahal Where Love Speaks in the Wall of White Artifact
- Udayagiri and Khandagiri Cave
- Umaid Bhavan Palace
Taj Mahal Where Love Speaks in the Wall of White Artifact
History of Taj Mahal
Shah Jahan who was the greatest Mughal Emperor was heartbroken when his wife Mumtaz Mahal died in the year 1631. The love for his beloved wife made him build a mausoleum on the banks of river Yamuna which now stands as a wonder of the world and is visited by almost every foreigner visiting India.
This construction of the monument started in 1632 with talented artisans, sculptors, calligraphers, carvers, drafters and architects from both within the country and outside being utilized. The embodiment of love was built using the services of more than 1000 elephants and 22, 000 laborers in a period of 22 years. The total expenditure incurred was 3.2 crores rupees.
After the completion of its construction, Shah Jahan was put under house arrest by his son Aurangzeb in the nearby Agra Fort. The tomb of Shah Jahan is also constructed adjacent to his beloved wife. During the first war of Indian Independence in the year 1857, the precious stones and valuables of the monument were looted. In order to restore the grandeur of this masterpiece, a fabulous restoration was undertaken by Lord Curzon, the British Viceroy in the early 19th century. The parks and lawns which ornament Taj Mahal is an outcome of that renovation.
Taj Mahal Architecture
The Architecture of Taj Mahal follows Persian designs and artifacts. It is also inspired by some of the other Mughal monuments like Humayun’s Tomb, Jama Masjid, Gur-e-Amir (Tomb of Timur) and Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb. The only major exception between the earlier constructions was that Taj Mahal was built using white marble instead of Red sandstone.
The central tomb is the main attraction and has a large dome placed in a square area. It is surrounded by four minarets which are symmetrically placed at each vertex of the square. The minarets are constructed with such a precision that in the event of natural calamity, it would not fall on to the central dome. The actual coffin of both the emperor and his wife are placed at a lower level and a false one placed on an elevation for the tourists to see. There are numerous verses from the Holy Quran on the monument which are inscribed in calligraphic styles.
The symmetrical garden and fountains further adds to the beauty of the monument. Tourists can also enjoy excellent view of Agra Fort from the Taj.