Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal means "Crown Palace. Taj Mahal is a white monument which is located in the Agra District in Uthar Pradesh, India. It was built by the order of fifth Mughal emperor Shah Jahah for the memory of his third and favorite wife Mumtaz Mahal. Her original name was Arjumand Banu Begum.

The color of Taj Mahal changes from early morning to late night because it has a vast marble surface. In the early morning, its color changes from soft grey and yellow to pearly cream and dazzling white. During the night, it shines like a pearl.

Story of Taj:

Mumtaz Mahal had a very deep and intense lovewith Shah Jahan. Shah Jahan also had great trust for her. He gave her his imperial seal, the Muhr Uzah. Mumtaz devoted some time in the river side garden because she had affection with plants. This was the reason to build a garden with the monument. She was traveling with him during all his military campaigns. In 1631 AD, she traveled with Shah Jahan despite of pregnancy. She died after the birth of her thirteen children in  Burhanpur.
Mumtaz Mahal took four promises from Shah Jahan before she died. Construction  of Taj was one among them. Consequentelly, Shan Jahan started planning to build the Taj.

Architecture of Taj:

Taj Mahal is situated at the right bank of the Yamuna river. It is a Indo-Islamic architecture that incorporated many traditions, forms and symbolism of both Hindu and Islamic Architecture. Construction work of Taj began in 1631 AD and completed in 1648 AD.  More than 22 thousand workers, architectures, and cave cutters came together to complete it.

The mausoleum is completely made by white marbles. Tomb was a central point of this large structure. The Tomb has a big dome which is a masterpiece of work. A large Mughal garden with fountains built in the front of Taj which enhances its beauty. Four Minarets are set at the corners of the mausoleum to complete the architecture composition. Minaret is a traditional element of mosques. On the West and East side of the Taj, a mosques and a guest house built with red marbles. The Mosque and Guest house are identical in structure. The Taj has excellent interior design with different types of stones and marbles.

 

UNESCO-World Heritage:

The taj Mahal is a master piece of art. It became a UNESCO world heritage in 1983. It was cited as "The jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage."

Taj Mahal visitors:

The taj is a big tourist spot in India. Every year, 7 to 8 million tourists visit Taj. More than 0.8 million people come from overseas in India to visit it. Most of visitors come during the winter season from November to February.

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References

Me at TM. (2009). Visitors outside of the Taj Mahal [Image file]. Retrieved from http://breathedreamgo.com/2009/09/what-it-means-to-breathe-dream-go/

Mumtaz Mahal. (2012). This is a Mughal painting depicting Mumtaz Mahal [Image file]. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mumtaz_Mahal.jpg

Shah Jahan. (2012). Picture of a Mughal emperor Shah Jahan [Image file]. Retrieved from http://unusualhistoricals.blogspot.ca/2012/02/great-loves-in-history-shah-jahan.html

Smithsonian Channel (2012 November 7). Secret of The Taj Mahal: More than an Architecture Masterpiece [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7yNMyLcL2U

Taj Mahal. (2014, March 7). Retrieved March 8, 2014 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taj_Mahal

Taj Mahal 2012. (2012). Southern view of Taj Mahal [Image file]. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Taj_Mahal_2012.jpg

Taj-Mahal-Interior. (n.d.). Inside of the Taj Mahal [Image file]. Retrieved From http://globetravelblog.com/?attachment_id=3161


UNESCO World Heritage Centre. (2014). Taj Mahal. Retrieved from http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/252