Taj Mahal,
Agra, India
Taj Mahal is regarded as one of the eight wonders of the world, and some
Western historians have noted that its architectural beauty has never been
surpassed. The Taj is the most beautiful monument built by the Mughals, the
Muslim rulers of India. Taj Mahal is built entirely of white marble. Its
stunning architectural beauty is beyond adequate description, particularly at
dawn and sunset. The Taj seems to glow in the light of the full moon. On a
foggy morning, the visitors experience the Taj as if suspended when viewed from
across the Jamuna river.
Taj Mahal was built by a Muslim, Emperor
Shah Jahan (died
1666 C.E.) in the memory of his dear wife and queen
Mumtaz Mahal
at Agra, India. It is an "
elegy in marble" or some
say an expression of a "dream." Taj Mahal (meaning Crown Palace) is a
Mausoleum that houses the grave of queen Mumtaz Mahal at the lower chamber. The
grave of Shah Jahan was added to it later. The queen’s real name was
Arjumand
Banu. In the tradition of the Mughals, important ladies of the royal
family were given another name at their marriage or at some other significant
event in their lives, and that new name was commonly used by the public. Shah
Jahan's real name was Shahab-ud-din, and he was known as Prince Khurram before
ascending to the throne in 1628.
Taj Mahal was constructed over a period of twenty-two years, employing
twenty thousand workers. It was completed in 1648 C.E. at a cost of
32
Million Rupees. The construction documents show that its master
architect was
Ustad ‘Isa, the renowned Islamic architect of
his time. The documents contain names of those employed and the inventory of
construction materials and their origin. Expert craftsmen from Delhi, Qannauj,
Lahore, and Multan were employed. In addition, many renowned Muslim craftsmen
from Baghdad, Shiraz and Bukhara worked on many specialized tasks.
The Taj stands on a raised, square platform (186 x 186 feet) with its four
corners truncated, forming an unequal octagon. The architectural design uses
the
interlocking arabesque concept, in which each element
stands on its own and perfectly integrates with the main structure. It uses the
principles of self-replicating geometry and a symmetry of architectural
elements.
Its central dome is fifty-eight feet in diameter and rises to a height of
213 feet. It is flanked by four subsidiary domed chambers. The four graceful,
slender minarets are 162.5 feet each. The entire mausoleum (inside as well as
outside) is decorated with inlaid design of flowers and calligraphy using
precious gems such as agate and jasper. The main archways, chiseled with
passages from the Holy Qur’an and the bold scroll work of flowery pattern, give
a captivating charm to its beauty. The central domed chamber and four adjoining
chambers include many walls and panels of Islamic decoration.
The mausoleum is a part of a vast complex comprising of a main gateway, an
elaborate garden, a mosque (to the left), a guest house (to the right), and
several other palatial buildings. The Taj is at the farthest end of this
complex, with the river
Jamuna behind it. The large garden
contains four reflecting pools dividing it at the center. Each of these four
sections is further subdivided into four sections and then each into yet
another four sections. Like the Taj, the garden elements serve like Arabesque,
standing on their own and also constituting the whole.
