Taj Mahal - One of the Seven Wonders of the World
The city of Agra was the capital of the Mughal Empire from 1526 to 1658. This was the time when the world saw the golden era of Indian art and Muslim architecture. The Mughal rulers were passionate builders who refurbished forts and built many other mausoleums. Shah Jahan, the grandson of Emperor Akbar, commissioned Taj Mahal, a piece of excellence in white marble.
It came to be known as the 'Monument of Love' as it was dedicated to Shah Jahan's wife Mumtaz Mahal. It took 20 years for the architects to construct this monument in Agra and the city shot to fame in no time. Presently, Taj Mahal is one of the UNESCO listed World Heritage Sites and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. This extraordinary example of Islamic architecture is one of the top places to visit in India.
Taj Mahal Tourism
This monument attracts around 3 million Indian and foreign visitors annually. The peak season is from October to February. It is open to public on all days from 6am-7pm. On Fridays, visitors can offer prayers at the mosque from 12pm-2pm.
Taj Mahal - its background
Though there is a long history behind its purpose of construction, what you want to remember with your trip here is that, Taj Mahal is one of the most beautiful buildings on earth and an architectural excellence. Here is a brief history of Taj Mahal and how this monument was built.
When the beloved wife of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan passed away, the young Turkish architect Ustad Isa was appointed as the chief architect to build a marble memorial for her. The work began in 1632 and thousands of laborers and craftsmen were put to work. There were noted Persian and Arabian architects besides Ustad Isa who were put in charge of designing each pillar. The monument reflects the finest blend of Mughal and Persian architecture. It was also different from other Mughal buildings that were primarily constructed out of red sandstone. The use of semi precious stones along with engineering feat gave the Taj Mahal a distinct place in the history.
What to see in Taj Mahal
The main complex comprising the dome and pillars took around 12 years and the remaining mosque, minarets, gateway and the fountain was constructed at a span of more 9 years. Marble was brought from the states of Rajasthan and 28 types of precious stones from China, Sri Lanka and Arabia.
Architecture - The tomb was the central part of the complex with a large dome. The four minarets support the tomb. The graves of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan are in the lower level. The top of the dome has a lotus designed and was originally of gold. It was replaced with bronze in the 19th century. The minarets reflect the traditional mosque pattern.
Decoration - Both interiors and exteriors were decorated with inlay of stones and carvings. There are also verses from the Holy Quran inscribed in many of the walls. The lower part of the walls has intricately carved marble vines and flowers. Only the graves of the empire and his wife have plain crypts.
Garden - The garden spans around 300 meters and is divided with pathways. The central pool has a reflection of the monument. The fountain in the middle of the pool looks stunning when lit in the evening.
Other buildings surrounding the Taj Mahal include the Gateway and the Music House. The Music House presently operates as a museum. The Gateway to the Taj is a traditional Mughal building built of red sandstone and having arched entrance. The Taj Mahal mosque, also built by Shah Jahan, has a large hall for prayers and bears a resemblance to the Jama Masjid of Delhi.
