The CROWN of

PALACES

The Taj Mahal

Created by Sreya Saju

About the TAJ MAHAL

The Taj Mahal is a white marble mausoleum on the bank of the river Yamuna located in the Indian city of Agra. It was commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan (1628-1658) to house the tomb of his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It also houses the tomb of Shah Jahan himself.

The Taj Mahal was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 for being: "The jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage". It is regarded as a symbol of India's rich history.The Taj Mahal attracts 7–8 million visitors a year and in 2007, it was declared a winner of the 7 Wonders of the World (2000–2007) initiative

When did the construction begin?

The construction began in the year 1632. The Taj Mahal is believed to have been completed entirely in 1653 at a cost around 70 billion rupees.The project employed 20,000 artisans under the court architect, Ustad Ahmad Lahauri.

The Taj Mahal as seen from across the Yamuna River

Where is it located?

Well, the Taj Mahal is located on the southern bank of the Yamuna River in a vast Mughal garden that encompasses nearly 17 hectares, in the Agra District in Uttar Pradesh, an Indian state.

Which ruling dynasty built it?

The Taj Mahal was built during the Mughal dynasty which ruled during the Late Medieval period.It was commissioned by the Mughal Ruler Shahab-ud-din Muhammad Khurram better known by his regnal name Shah Jahan

Image comparing the Taj Mahal's difference in color

What are the threats and who is responsible for its keep-up?

During the first war of Independence, the foreign soldiers chiselled out precious stones and damaged it. Later, Lord Cuzron ordered a restoration project. However,recently the marble started turning yellow, due to environmental pollution. The polluting industries nearby have been relocated. Human beings are responsible for its damage, and we are again responsible for its keep-up.

Images of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal respectively

The Taj Mahal was commissioned by Shah Jahan in 1631, in the memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died on 17 June that year. Construction started in 1632, and was completed in 1648, but the surrounding buildings and garden were finished five years later. Shah Jahan's grief after the death of Mumtaz Mahal held as the inspiration for the Taj Mahal.

The TOMBS

An Image showing the false sacrophagus of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal at the upper level and the original grave at the lower level

The tomb is the central focus of the entire complex of the Taj Mahal. The main chamber houses the false tomb of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan; the actual graves are at a lower level. The upper cenotaphs are only illusory and the real graves are in the lower tomb.

The bodies of Mumtaz and Shah Jahan were put in a relatively plain crypt in the lower level with their faces turned right, towards Mecca. Mumtaz's cenotaph is placed at the precise centre of the chamber. Calligraphic inscriptions on the casket identify and praise Mumtaz. Shah Jahan's cenotaph is beside Mumtaz's. His cenotaph is bigger than his wife's, but has the same elements.

Shah Jahan's tomb has an inscription;

“He travelled from this world to the banquet-hall of Eternity on the night of the twenty-sixth of the month of Rajab, in the year 1076 Hijri ”

Exterior decorations of the TAJ MAHAL

The dome, chattris and the minarets of the Taj Mahal

The most spectacular feature is the marble dome that covers the tomb. The dome is nearly 115 ft(35m) high. The shape of the dome is emphasised by four smaller domed chattris placed at its corners. The finial is topped by a moon, a typical Islamic motif which points heavenward. Each minaret is divided into three equal parts with balconies that ring the tower.

The exterior decorations of the Taj Mahal are among the finest in Mughal architecture.The calligraphy on the Great Gate reads;
“O Soul, thou art at rest. Return to the Lord at peace with Him, and He at peace with you. ”

Much of the calligraphy is made of black marble on white marble panels. The door frames and archways have been decorated with inlays of geometric vines, flowers and fruits.

Interior decorations of the TAJ MAHAL

Images of Jali work and inlaid flower plant motifs

The interior chamber of the Taj Mahal reaches far beyond traditional decorative elements. The four central upper arches form balconies, and each balcony's exterior window has an screen or Jali cut from marble. The jali bordering the cenotaphs is made with intricate pierce work. The remaining surfaces are inlaid in delicate detail with semi-precious stones forming twining vine and inlaid flower plant motifs.

Myths

A myth holds that Shah Jahan is said to have desired a mausoleum for himself similar to Taj Mahal which would have been called the Black Taj, a black marble mausoleum that is said to have been planned to be built opposite to the Taj Mahal across Yamuna river. A French traveller, Jean Tavernier mentioned this in his writings. He suggested Shah Jahan could not complete it as he was deposed by his son Aurangzeb. The tomb of Shah Jahan is the only visible asymmetric element in the entire complex, as it is located beside of the centrally located tomb of Mumtaz Mahal. It gives rise to the thought that his tomb was meant to be somewhere else.