The Taj Mahal – A Monument of Love

The Taj Mahal is the pride of India. It is undoubtedly one of the most admired places in the world.  Located in the northern city of Agra, this architectural masterpiece signifies everlasting love, which was the reason behind the construction of the masterpiece.  It was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his loving third wife, Arjumand Banu Begum (Mumtaz Mahal), who succumbed during the birth of their fourteenth child, Gauhara Begum.

The Taj has so many distinctions to its credit, the latest being its inclusion in the New Seven Wonders of the World.  It is considered as the finest amongst Mughal architecture in the world.  In short, it is a combination of Indian, Persian and Islamic styles of architecture.

The year 1983 saw the masterpiece become a UNESCO World Heritage site.  It was also known as ‘the jewel of Muslim art in India’.

This 17th century monument is in the form of a white domed marble mausoleum.  Construction activities began in 1632, a year after Mumtaz Mahal’s death.  The building was completed around the year 1653.  Thousands of eminent craftsmen and artisans were involved in the construction of this beauty.  A board of architects was formed to oversee the construction activities. Eminent among these specialists was Ustad Ahmad Lahauri, who was the principle designer of the Mahal along with others, including Makramat Khan and Abd ul-Karim Ma’mur Khan.

Though the structure was built in the 17th century, the height of the tomb is on par with a modern 20 storey building.  The marble is from Makrana and the peculiar part of this form of marble is it takes on different tones at various times of the day along with imported precious stones is a wonderful sight to watch to one’s eye.  Lines from the Quran are also seen throughout the entire complex.

The main focus of the entire complex is the tomb. This large tomb is a white structure made of marble and lies on a square plinth, consisting of a symmetrical building with an arch-shapped doorway.  This is topped by a large dome and a finial.

The base structure is a huge multi-chambered cube along with chamfered corners and it forms an unequal octagon of around 55 m on each of the four sides.

The one thing that grabs everyone’s attention at the complex is the marble dome, atop the tomb.  It has a height of 35 m and is about the same length of the base.  Other features of the complex that hold prominence are the exterior decorations.  These decorations are considered the finest amongst Mughal architecture till date.  These elements are created using paint, stone inlays and stucco.

The interior chamber of the complex is much more than just decorations.  Here, a lot of precious and semiprecious gemstones have gone into making. The inner chamber is in the form of an octagon and it is designed in such a way that it allows the entry from each face, the garden facing door in the only one used here.

The garden complex is a huge 300 sq m charbagh (Mughal garden). Usually Mughal gardens are rectangular with a tomb taking the central position.  The Taj Mahal garden is unique in this regard as the tomb is located at the end of the garden.

It is estimated that 2 to 4 million visitors flock the Taj Mahal annually. Of this figure, more than 200,000 are foreign visitors.  Usually, the place is visited during the cooler months of November, December, January and February.

The grounds of the Taj Mahal Agra visiting hours from 6 am to 7 pm on all weekdays, except Friday, when the complex is open for prayers at the mosque between 12 pm and 2 pm.  The complex also remains open for night viewing on the days of full moon – two days before and after, excluding Fridays and the holy month of Ramzan.