THE ARCHITECTURE OF TAJ MAHAL
Historians, architects, poets and travelers from all over the world have praised the architecture of the Taj Mahal. Built of white marble brought from Makrana in Rajasthan, the Taj Mahal appears different at different times of day and during the changing seasons. The white marble reflects the color of the sky, and the rays of the sun give it an almost ethereal appearance. The sight of the Taj Mahal on a full moon night is an enchanting experience. When seen from Agra Fort across the Yamuna River on a foggy morning, the Taj Mahal appears like a fairytale castle floating on a soft carpet of air.
The Taj Mahal is part of a complex of structures. These structures include the Darwaza or main gateway, the Bageecha or garden, the Masjid or mosque, the Naqqar Khaana or guest house and the Rauza or mausoleum. The entrance to the complex is through the grand gateway. The gateway is inscribed with Islamic calligraphy and floral decorations. As you enter the gateway, its high arch frames the vista before you. A path with green lawns on either side leads to the raised platform on which the Taj Mahal is situated. The approach to the Taj Mahal, with intersecting paths and waterways is called the Charbagh.
The Taj Mahal is situated on a raised platform that is over 6 meters high. The actual tombs of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal are in the basement below this platform. The main building surmounted by a curving dome is over 60 meters long on each side. The dome rises to a height of over 60 meters at its pinnacle. The platform covers an area of almost 94 sq meters. A tall minaret of over 40 meters reaches up to the sky at each corner of the platform. On either side of the Taj Mahal there is a red sandstone building - a mosque to the west and a guesthouse to the east. The fountains, waterways, formal garden and the river Yamuna flowing in the background add to the overall effect. The overall symmetry of the Taj Mahal complex makes it an aesthetically perfect sight.
The architecture of the Taj Mahal is enhanced by delicate inlay work. The interiors of the Taj Mahal are decorated with inlay work known as pietra dura. Semi precious stones such as jasper, jade, turquoise, lapis lazuli and sapphire, were used in these decorative devices, many of which can still be seen. These decorative elements include inscriptions from the Quran, geometrical designs and graceful depictions of flowers and plants. The inlay work has been carried out with great skill, creating a seamless and smooth surface with no visible joints. The pristine white marble of the Taj Mahal contrasts with the colors of the inlaid stones creating a beautiful and majestic effect.
The beautiful proportions of each element of the complete complex, their exquisitely decorated interiors, the brilliance of the carving in the latticed screens that surround the tomb and the setting of the Taj Mahal add up to the sublime experience that is a glimpse of the Taj Mahal. The architecture of the Taj Mahal is considered the most spectacular example of Mughal architecture in India.
TRIVIA
The Taj Mahal is a monument with a rich and colorful history. An immortal love story inspired the Taj Mahal and there’s lots more------Taj Mahal trivia and interesting details about this wondrous monument.
1. It is said that Shah Jahan wanted to build an equally grand tomb for himself on the other bank of the River Yamuna in Agra. His mausoleum would be made in black marble and the two monuments would complement each other in their design.
2. Mumtaz Mahal means, “Exalted one of the Palace.” This was what Shah Jahan called her. Her actual name was Arjumand Banu Begum.
3/ The term Taj Mahal is possible a contraction of the Empress’s name and means “Crown of the Palace”
4. Shah Jahan was known as Khurram before he ascended to the Mughal Throne.
5. Mumtaz Mahal was Shah Jahan’s second wife, but was his favorite.
6. Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan had 14 children
7. 20,000 laborers worked for 22 years to build the Taj Mahal.
8. 1000 elephants were used to transport the materials required for the construction of the Taj Mahal.
9. The Taj Mahal is said to have been built at a cost of 32 million rupees.
10. The white marble used to construct the Taj Mahal, was brought from Makrana in Rajasthan India.
11. 28 different kinds of semi-precious stones were used in the inlay work in the Taj Mahal.
12. These included Turquoise from Tibet, Sapphires from Sri Lanka and Lapis Lazuli from Afghanistan.
13. The inlay work on the inner walls of the Taj Mahal is called pietra dura, which refers to the embedding of hard or durable stones within soft stones for decorative effect.
14. It is said that Shah Jahan wanted to ensure that his master craftsmen would not build anything as beautiful again and had their hands amputated or eyes put out, after the completion of the Taj Mahal.
15 The Taj mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It was added to the UNESCO list of world heritage sites in 1983, and described as “The jewel of Muslim art in India”
Today, the Taj Mahal in Agra India stands as a symbol of eternal love, which continues to mesmerize tourists from around the world.
Historians, architects, poets and travelers from all over the world have praised the architecture of the Taj Mahal. Built of white marble brought from Makrana in Rajasthan, the Taj Mahal appears different at different times of day and during the changing seasons. The white marble reflects the color of the sky, and the rays of the sun give it an almost ethereal appearance. The sight of the Taj Mahal on a full moon night is an enchanting experience. When seen from Agra Fort across the Yamuna River on a foggy morning, the Taj Mahal appears like a fairytale castle floating on a soft carpet of air.
The Taj Mahal is part of a complex of structures. These structures include the Darwaza or main gateway, the Bageecha or garden, the Masjid or mosque, the Naqqar Khaana or guest house and the Rauza or mausoleum. The entrance to the complex is through the grand gateway. The gateway is inscribed with Islamic calligraphy and floral decorations. As you enter the gateway, its high arch frames the vista before you. A path with green lawns on either side leads to the raised platform on which the Taj Mahal is situated. The approach to the Taj Mahal, with intersecting paths and waterways is called the Charbagh.
The Taj Mahal is situated on a raised platform that is over 6 meters high. The actual tombs of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal are in the basement below this platform. The main building surmounted by a curving dome is over 60 meters long on each side. The dome rises to a height of over 60 meters at its pinnacle. The platform covers an area of almost 94 sq meters. A tall minaret of over 40 meters reaches up to the sky at each corner of the platform. On either side of the Taj Mahal there is a red sandstone building - a mosque to the west and a guesthouse to the east. The fountains, waterways, formal garden and the river Yamuna flowing in the background add to the overall effect. The overall symmetry of the Taj Mahal complex makes it an aesthetically perfect sight.
The beautiful proportions of each element of the complete complex, their exquisitely decorated interiors, the brilliance of the carving in the latticed screens that surround the tomb and the setting of the Taj Mahal add up to the sublime experience that is a glimpse of the Taj Mahal. The architecture of the Taj Mahal is considered the most spectacular example of Mughal architecture in India.
TRIVIA
The Taj Mahal is a monument with a rich and colorful history. An immortal love story inspired the Taj Mahal and there’s lots more------Taj Mahal trivia and interesting details about this wondrous monument.
1. It is said that Shah Jahan wanted to build an equally grand tomb for himself on the other bank of the River Yamuna in Agra. His mausoleum would be made in black marble and the two monuments would complement each other in their design.
2. Mumtaz Mahal means, “Exalted one of the Palace.” This was what Shah Jahan called her. Her actual name was Arjumand Banu Begum.
3/ The term Taj Mahal is possible a contraction of the Empress’s name and means “Crown of the Palace”
4. Shah Jahan was known as Khurram before he ascended to the Mughal Throne.
5. Mumtaz Mahal was Shah Jahan’s second wife, but was his favorite.
6. Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan had 14 children
7. 20,000 laborers worked for 22 years to build the Taj Mahal.
8. 1000 elephants were used to transport the materials required for the construction of the Taj Mahal.
9. The Taj Mahal is said to have been built at a cost of 32 million rupees.
10. The white marble used to construct the Taj Mahal, was brought from Makrana in Rajasthan India.
11. 28 different kinds of semi-precious stones were used in the inlay work in the Taj Mahal.
12. These included Turquoise from Tibet, Sapphires from Sri Lanka and Lapis Lazuli from Afghanistan.
13. The inlay work on the inner walls of the Taj Mahal is called pietra dura, which refers to the embedding of hard or durable stones within soft stones for decorative effect.
14. It is said that Shah Jahan wanted to ensure that his master craftsmen would not build anything as beautiful again and had their hands amputated or eyes put out, after the completion of the Taj Mahal.
15 The Taj mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It was added to the UNESCO list of world heritage sites in 1983, and described as “The jewel of Muslim art in India”
Today, the Taj Mahal in Agra India stands as a symbol of eternal love, which continues to mesmerize tourists from around the world.
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