Taj
Mahal in India --» About
Taj Mahal Agra
About Taj Mahal Agra
Taj Mahal Location
Agra, the city of the Taj Mahal and once the capital of the Mughal empire, has
several monuments which display the splendour of Mughal architecture. It was
here that Babar, the founder of the dynasty, had the first formal Persian garden
laid out on the banks of the river Yamuna. Akbar, his grandson, raised the towering
ramparts of the great Red Fort, within whose walls Jahangir built rose-red palaces,
courts and gardens, and which Shahajahan embellished with marble mosques, palaces
and pavilions of gem-inlaid white marble.
Taj
Mahal Building
Besides the miraculous architectural features and the elaborate ornamentation
of the Taj Mahal, many additional features, which can often be overlooked, help
complement and enhance this spectacular monument.
Mumtaz
Mahal
The story of Taj Mahal is inseparable from the life of Mumtaz Mahal who was
the chief queen of Shahjahan. Prince Khurram, as Shahjahan was known before
he became the Mughal emperor, was a handsome twenty-year-old man, when he was
betrothed to Mumtaz.
Taj
Mahal Architecture
The city of Agra is world famous for the Taj Mahal, built by the Mughal emperor
Shahjahan in memory of his beloved wife. However, it is also famous for the
Agra Fort, which is a veritable treasure trove of the Mughal architectural tradition.
Inside
the Taj Mahal
The interior of the mausoleum comprises a lofty central chamber, a crypt immediately
below this and four octagonal corner rooms originally intended to house the
graves of other royal family members. In the centre are the cenotaphs of Shah
Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal. Shah Jahan's cenotaph is to the left and is higher than
that of his beloved which rests immediately below the dome.
Taj Mahal
Story
The story of Taj Mahal reflects the intensity of love. The fairy tale began
when walking through the bazaar of Agra prince qhurram saw a girl. The girl
was exceptionally beautiful. It was a love at first sight for both of them.
After five years, on an auspicious day they were married and from that moment
began the great epic of love.
Taj Mahal
History
The construction of this marble masterpiece is credited to the Mughal emperor
Shah Jahan who erected this mausoleum in memory of his beloved wife, Arjumarid
Bano Begum; popularly known as Mumtaz Mahal, who died in A.H. 1040 (A.D. 1630).
Taj Mahal
Garden
The lush green garden expands from the main gateway to the plinth, over which
stands the tomb. The garden in essense is based on symmetry and geometrical
measurements. The Persian style garden has a close link with paradise, since
Quran describes paradise as a beautiful garden.
Taj Mahal
Mosque
On either side of the Taj Mahal are buildings of red sandstone. The one to the
west is a Mosque. It faces towards Mecca and is used for prayer. Before we have
a look at the mosque, let us take note of a small stone enclosure along the
western boundary wall where the well of the Mosque is located.
Taj
Mahal Excursions
Delhi is the capital of India since old times. Delhi's history dates back to
the first millenium BC, when it was known as Indraprastha. The Tomar Rajputs
built Lal Kot, the core of the first of Delhi's seven cities. It is the epicenter
of the nation's politics, economy and culture. History is alive and throbbing
in Delhi, the capital of India.
Taj
Mahal How to Reach
Taj Mahal
Pictures
Taj
Mahal Building Details
Despite several controversies that claim that the Taj Mahal was designed by
an Italian Geronimo Veroneo, or a French silversmith Austin de Bordeaux, the
first real evidence of the architect's identity emerged in the 1930s when a
seventeenth century manuscript called the Diwan-i-Muhandis was found to mention
the Taj Mahal.
Taj
Mahal Actual Tomb
The Taj Mahal is situated more than 900 ft. (275 m.) away from the entrance
at the opposite end of the garden. Towering almost 200 ft. (76m.) in height,
the tomb stands on its own marble plinth, which rests on a red sandstone platform
that serves to level the land as it slopes to the river. Four tall minarets
rise up from the corners of the white marble plinth. They taper to a majestic
height of 138 ft. and are crowned with eight windowed cupolas. elegantly accent
the central structure, framing the space like the mounting of a jewel.
