History of Taj Mahal

The real story behind Taj Mahal?

The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum located in Agra, India, and is considered one of the most beautiful and iconic buildings in the world. It was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 1631. Construction of the Taj Mahal began in 1632 and took over 20 years to complete, with thousands of workers and artisans contributing to the project. The white marble used for the building was quarried from Rajasthan, and precious stones were imported from all over the world to decorate the interior.

The Taj Mahal combines elements of Mughal, Persian, and Indian architectural styles, and is famous for its symmetrical design and intricate decorations. The main building is surrounded by gardens, fountains, and reflecting pools, and is crowned by a large dome.After Shah Jahan's death in 1666, he was buried beside his wife in the Taj Mahal. The building has since become a symbol of India's rich cultural heritage and is a popular tourist destination, attracting millions of visitors from around the world every year.

Architecture and Design of Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal is an iconic white marble mausoleum located in Agra, India. It was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. The construction of Taj Mahal began in 1632 and was completed in 1653.The architecture and design of the Taj Mahal reflect a blend of Indian, Persian, and Islamic architectural styles. The main building is constructed of white marble and features intricate carvings, inlaid semi-precious stones, and calligraphy.

The mausoleum is set within a large, lush garden and features four minarets that stand at a height of 40 meters. The minarets serve both as decorative elements and as support for the main dome. The dome itself is 73 meters high and is crowned by a finial made of gold. The entrance to the Taj Mahal is through a large gateway made of red sandstone, which features intricate carvings and calligraphy. The gateway is flanked by two smaller buildings, which were originally used as a mosque and a guesthouse. Inside the mausoleum, the centerpiece is the tomb of Mumtaz Mahal, which is placed in the center of the main chamber. The tomb is made of white marble and is surrounded by smaller tombs of other members of the royal family. The interior of the mausoleum is decorated with intricate carvings and inlaid semi-precious stones.

The overall design of the Taj Mahal is symmetrical, with the main building and its four minarets mirrored on both sides. The gardens surrounding the mausoleum are also laid out in a symmetrical pattern, with fountains and reflecting pools adding to the overall aesthetic. The architecture and design of the Taj Mahal have inspired countless other buildings and structures around the world. It remains one of the most iconic and recognizable examples of Islamic architecture and Indian craftsmanship.

Who built the Taj Mahal and why?

The Taj Mahal was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died giving birth to their 14th child in 1631. The construction of the Taj Mahal began in 1632 and was completed in 1653. The mausoleum is located in the city of Agra, in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. The Taj Mahal is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in the world, with its white marble façade, intricate inlay work, and stunning gardens. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and attracts millions of visitors every year.

Construction History of Taj Mahal

The construction of the Taj Mahal began in 1632, a year after the death of Mumtaz Mahal, and was completed in 1653. The construction of the Taj Mahal was commissioned by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, who wanted to build a mausoleum in memory of his beloved wife. The construction of the Taj Mahal was a massive undertaking and involved the labor of thousands of workers, including architects, masons, craftsmen, and laborers. The project was overseen by a team of architects and engineers, led by Ustad Ahmad Lahauri.

The Taj Mahal was built using white marble that was brought from Makrana in Rajasthan. The marble was transported to the construction site using a fleet of elephants. The marble was then carved and shaped by skilled craftsmen into intricate designs and patterns. The construction of the Taj Mahal took more than 20 years to complete and is estimated to have cost around 32 million rupees (equivalent to about 1 billion US dollars today). The mausoleum is surrounded by a beautiful garden that was designed in the traditional Persian style, with four reflecting pools that enhance its beauty.

Myths of Taj Mahal

There are several myths and legends associated with the Taj Mahal. Here are some of them:

Myth: The Taj Mahal was built by a Hindu king and not by Shah Jahan.

Fact: This is a baseless myth with no historical evidence to support it. The Taj Mahal was indeed built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal.

Myth: The hands of the workers who built the Taj Mahal were cut off to prevent them from building anything as beautiful as the Taj Mahal again.

Fact: There is no evidence to support this myth. In fact, the workers who built the Taj Mahal were highly skilled craftsmen who were well-respected and well-compensated for their work.

Myth: The Taj Mahal changes color depending on the time of day.

Fact: While it is true that the Taj Mahal appears to change color in different lighting conditions, it is not a result of any magical or mystical properties. The changing colors are simply an effect of the changing light and atmospheric conditions.

Myth: The Taj Mahal was originally built as a Hindu temple.

Fact: There is no evidence to support this myth. The Taj Mahal was always intended to be a mausoleum and was commissioned by Shah Jahan to honor his wife.

Myth: The Taj Mahal is sinking.

Fact: While it is true that the Taj Mahal is sinking slightly due to changes in the water table, it is not in danger of collapse. Conservation efforts are underway to stabilize the foundation of the monument and prevent further sinking.

Controversy of Taj Mahal

Here are some of the main controversies surrounding the Taj Mahal:

Religious controversy: There is a controversy over the origin and purpose of the Taj Mahal. Some believe that it was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a tribute to his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, while others believe that it was originally a Hindu temple complex that was later converted into a mausoleum. This theory has been debunked by many historians who have studied the Taj Mahal in detail, but it continues to be a point of contention among some.

Environmental controversy: Pollution and environmental degradation have had a significant impact on the Taj Mahal over the years. The high levels of pollution in the area have caused the white marble to yellow and erode, leading to concerns about the preservation of this historic monument.

Political controversy: The Taj Mahal has also been the subject of political controversy in recent years. In 2017, the ruling party in India, the BJP, removed the Taj Mahal from a list of the country's official tourist destinations. This move was widely criticized by many, who saw it as an attempt to downplay the importance of a monument that is considered to be a symbol of India's rich cultural heritage.

Ownership controversy: There is also a controversy over the ownership of the Taj Mahal. While it is currently owned by the government of India and managed by the Archaeological Survey of India, some have argued that it should be returned to the descendants of the Mughal dynasty who originally built it.

Overall, the controversies surrounding the Taj Mahal reflect its significance as a cultural and historical icon, as well as the challenges that arise when trying to preserve and protect such a significant monument in the modern world.

What is 22 secret room of Taj Mahal?

These 22 rooms were part of a tahkhana or an underground chamber for the hot summer months. A gallery in the monument's riverfront terrace consists of a "series of rooms". Ms Koch found 15 rooms arranged in a line along the riverfront and reached by a narrow corridor.

There were seven larger rooms extended by niches on each side, six squarish rooms and two octagonal rooms. The large rooms originally looked out onto the river through handsome arches. The rooms, she noticed, showed "traces of painted decoration under the white wash" - there were "netted patterns arranged between concentric circles of stars with a medallion in the centre".

"It must have been a beautiful airy space, which served the emperor, his women and his entourage a cool place of recreation when visiting the tomb. It now has no natural light," Ms Koch, who is a professor of Asian Art at the University of Vienna, noted.

Such underground galleries are familiar in Mughal architecture. In a Mughal fort in Pakistan's Lahore city, there are a series of

such vaulted rooms set into the waterfront.