Taj Mahal

One of the most beautiful structures in the world, the Taj Mahal in Agra is something which dreams are made of. This exquisite white and yellow marble structure stands 55 meters tall and is one of the most visited sites in the world. Built in 1653 by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his late wife Mumtaz Mahal, this "elegy in marble" can also be called the ultimate tribute to everlasting love.

A combined workforce of 20,000 people toiled hard for 22 years to build this structure, which clearly surpasses everything else in beauty and elegance. It is also amazing that the Taj Mahal in Agra cost the exchequer 32 million rupees even at that time. Four graceful minarets adorn each side of the Taj and the mausoleum below is a magnificent work of art that is decorated with a number of precious and semi precious stones. In fact, everything about the Taj Mahal is purely magic be it the beautiful monument itself or its geometrically shaped gardens. The Taj Mahal Agra has not only enthralled people for centuries but has also inspired a number of poets and writers to bring out the best of their creative talents. Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore in one of his famous quotes likened the Taj Mahal to a teardrop that glistened "spotlessly bright on the cheek of time". What can be a better way to describe this great saga of love?

Many people across the world nurse a secret desire to visit the Taj Mahal at least once in their lifetime. Therefore it is not surprising to see eternal romantics traveling half  way across the globe just to have a glimpse of the eternal beauty of the Taj. A view of the Taj Mahal Agra on a foggy morning across the Yamuna River is a very pretty sight. But nothing can surpass the mystic and ethereal beauty of a glowing Taj Mahal on a moonlit night. Nevertheless, at whichever point you visit this exquisite symbol of love,  the Taj Mahal's beauty is sure to cast a magic spell on you forever.

Taj Mahal Location
Situated on the banks of River Yamuna the Taj Mahal in Agra is like a dream rising out of the very depths of one's imagination in all its beauty and splendor. Constructed on a raised sandstone platform this magnificent structure is said to depict Emperor Shah Jahan's vision of paradise. It may be noted that Shah Jahan was actively involved in all the stages of the Taj Mahal's construction.

Many wonder as to why Shah Jahan chose to build the Taj at Agra and not Delhi. The reason is that Agra was the Mughal capital during that time, which made the Emperor decide in its favor. Interestingly, soon after the construction of the Taj Mahal, Shah Jahan shifted the capital to Delhi. Nevertheless, the site chosen by him to raise his
dream structure was perfect in every sense. As you go to visit this monument, you will be welcomed by beautiful gardens and arched gateways lead you to the most beautiful symbol of love ever built. Can there be anything more pleasing to the eye than the sight of the Taj Mahal's marble façade reflected on the waters of the Yamuna River flowing nearby?

The Taj has been constructed in such a strategic manner that it has the same view from all four sides and is distinctly visible from the Agra Fort. It may be mentioned here that the Agra fort is the very place where Aurangzeb imprisoned Shah Jahan, who spent his last days gazing at his beloved's tomb waiting for death to unite him with her forever.

Taj Mahal History
The Taj Mahal's history dates back to 1631 when Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan's beloved wife Arjumand Bano passed away during childbirth. Mumtaz Mahal, as she was affectionately known, was the Emperor's constant companion, guide and the love of his life. They first met as teenagers, got married in 1612 AD and thereafter were inseparable. Mumtaz Mahal accompanied the Emperor to meetings, wars and campaigns and it was during one such campaign that she passed away shortly after giving birth to their 14th child. It is believed that the Mughal court mourned the death of their beloved Empress for more than two years. There were no celebrations or feasting on holidays for a long time after Mumtaz Mahal passed away.

Before her death, Mumtaz Mahal expressed her wish that Shah Jahan would "build a tomb in her memory such as the world had never seen before." Thus stated the creation of one of the most beautiful monument in the world, the Taj Mahal. A combined workforce of 20,000 people toiled hard for 22 years to build this structure, which  clearly surpasses everything else in beauty and elegance. It is also amazing that the Taj Mahal in Agra cost the exchequer 32 million rupees even at that time. At the fag end of Shah Jahan's career, he was imprisoned by his son Aurangzeb at the Agra Fort and at that point of time the Taj Mahal was his only source of comfort. He used to spend hours gazing at the Taj Mahal across the Yamuna. After his death, he was laid to rest beside his beloved wife and their two tombs are located in the basement of the
Taj.

Its beauty notwithstanding, the Taj Mahal's history is also something which continues to mesmerize people from all over the world to date.


Taj Mahal Architecture
Inspired by Persian (Iranian) architecture the Taj Mahal in Agra is a classic example of Indo-Islamic architecture. An ultimate statement in beauty and everlasting love, the Taj Mahal has been crafted in pure marble that was specially brought from Makrana in Rajasthan. Ustad Ahmad Lahori, an Indian architect of Persian descent is believed to be the man who shaped Taj and made it a reality. Statistically speaking a combined workforce of 20,000 people toiled day and night to give shape to the most beautiful monument of love, which took 22 years to complete. The Taj Mahal's architecture was designed in special manner as to withstand all natural calamites. Now, more than three centuries later, Taj Mahal still stands tall with all its former grace and beauty intact.

The Taj Mahal's architecture consists 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 guesthouse and the Rauza or mausoleum. An elegant gateway inscribed with Islamic calligraphy and floral decorations ushers you into the complex and opens before you a wide range of architectural treasures. A beautiful path with green lawns on either side leads you to the Taj Mahal, which is situated on a raised red sand stone platform that is over 6 meters high. Workers were made to dig till they reached the water level and then the entire space was carefully filled with lime mortar and  stone to create the bed that forms the foundation.

The main building consists of a curving dome, which is over 60 meters long on each side. The platform covers an area of almost 94 sq meters. A tall minaret of over 40 meters each adorns each corner of the platform. Delicately executed inlay work known as Pietra Dura adorns the interiors of the Taj Mahal. Many precious and semi precious stones like jasper, jade, turquoise, lapis lazuli and sapphire, have been skillfully weaved into these elaborate decorative devices.

Everything about the Taj Mahal exudes a magical charm, which is very difficult to resist. No wonder that the Taj compelled the famous poet Sir Edwin Arnold to comment that it is " not a piece of architecture, as other buildings are, but the proud passions of an emperor's love wrought in living stones