![]() Location of Taj Mahal Taj Mahal is located at the south bank of the Yamuna River in the Indian city of Agra. With a vast Mughal garden that covers almost 17 hectares, it is located in the Agra District in Uttar Pradesh. History of Taj Mahal While delving into the history of Taj Mahal, one will come across the unforgettable love story of a prince and an exquisitely beautiful lady who was a Persian princess who died giving birth to their 14th child, Gauhara Begum. Taj Mahal is a saga of love between Shah Jahan, a Mughal Emperor and Mumtaz Mahal marble platform, by the banks of Yamuna River. An estimated 20,000 people worked to complete the enchanting mausoleum, on the banks of the Yamuna from 1631 AD and completed at the end of 1648 AD. Every possible attempt was made to beautify Taj Mahal. Architecture of Taj Mahal The individuality of Taj Mahal lies in some really remarkable innovations carried out by the horticulture planners and architects of Shah Jahan. The colour amalgamation of lush green scape reddish trail and blue sky over it show cases the monument in ever changing shades and moods. The relief work in marble and inlay with precious and semi precious stones make it a monument apart. ![]() The most stunning feature is the marble dome that surmounts the tomb. The top is decorated with a lotus design which also provides to emphasize its height. The shape of the dome is emphasised by four smaller domed chattris and is slightly asymmetrical. Their columned bases open through the roof of the tomb and provide light to the interior. Tall ornamental spires (guldastas) broaden from edges of base walls, and give visual highlighting to the height of the dome. The lotus motif is repeated on both the chattris and guldastas. The main finial was initially made of gold but was replaced by a copy made of gilded bronze in the early 19th century. The minarets, which are each more than 40 metres (130 ft) tall, demonstrate the designer's inclination for symmetry. The external decorations of the Taj Mahal are among the supreme in Mughal architecture. The attractive elements were created by applying paint, stucco, stone inlays or carvings. The decorative elements can be grouped into either calligraphy which was created in 1609 by a calligrapher named Abdul Haq. Much of the calligraphy is composed of florid ‘thuluth’ script made of jasper or black marble. Higher panels are written in somewhat larger script to decrease the skewing effect when viewed from below. On the lower walls of the tomb are white marble dados sculpted with realistic bas relief representations of flowers and vines. The inlay stones are of yellow marble, jasper and jade, polished and levelled to the surface of the walls. ![]() The bodies of Mumtaz and Shah Jahan were put in a comparatively plain tomb beneath the inner chamber with their faces turned right, towards Mecca. Both the base and casket are highly inlaid with expensive and semiprecious gems. Shah Jahan’s cenotaph is bigger than his wife's, but reflects the same elements. The Ninety Nine Names of God are calligraphic inscriptions on the sides of the real tomb of Mumtaz Mahal. ![]() The Taj Mahal garden is also known as the ‘Charbagh’ garden. The method of the garden in Taj Mahal comes from the Persian Timurid technique of gardens and is based on the concept of paradise garden which was brought into by Babur. Number four or its multiples are considered as the holiest number of Islam religion so the ‘Charbagh’ Garden of Taj Mahal was made all the actions subsequently. This garden is packed with flowers, fruits, birds, leaves, symmetry, and delicacy, which served a lot of functions along with depicting abstract meanings about paradise. Visiting Information of Taj Mahal The Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays and the nearest train station to Taj is named Agra Fort Railway Station, 3 kilometres from Taj Mahal. Agra’s Kheria airport is a military base and the flight from Delhi to Agra is less than an hour long. Kheria airport is 13 kilometres away from Agra city. Agra is well connected by bus to cities and the daily buses ply. (Last Updated on : 17-05-2018) |
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Taj Mahal