Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal is one of the most famous architectural wonders of the world. It is also
listed as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It is no surprise that thousands
of people from across the world come attracted by the beauty of this monument,
all year round. This monument is located in the City of Agra on the bank of River
Yamuna in Uttar Pradesh, India. Taj Mahal is seen as one of the prime examples
of the excellence in Mughal architecture.
Why Taj Mahal is Famous
Taj Mahal is one of those monuments whose ethereal beauty and architectural
finesse remains unparalleled for ages. For some people, it is this beauty of the
tomb that attracts them to the monument, for the others, it is the story behind the
construction of the Taj Mahal that appeals the most to them. This ancient
monument stands proudly as the symbol of love between the then emperor and
his queen. It is seen as the epitome of the love and inspires people from all over
the world to come witness its grandeur for generation after generation.
A Brief History of Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal was constructed under the reign and guidance of the famous
Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. This monument was built as on ode to his
beautiful wife Mumtaz mahal and the love between them. The construction of Taj
Mahal started in the year of 1632. It took approximately 20,000 workers to work
relentlessly for almost 20 years to finish the entire construction.
After the death of his beloved wife, Shah Jahan decided to build a monument
that will bear witness to his dedication to their love. He called on all of the finest
artisans from all over the country to build the Taj Mahal. He wanted the Taj
Mahal to be unlike any monument ever built; he wanted it to be unique. The
emperor planned this monument to be his last gift to his wife. Under the tomb of
the Taj Mahal, the Empress remains buried. Emperor Shah Jahan, too, was later
buried at the same place beside Mumtaz Mahal.
The Architecture
In 1983, UNESCO declared Taj Mahal as a Heritage Site. The structure of the
tomb is made from the finest white marble. Marble imported from a number of
countries all over the world was used in its construction. Before finalizing the
design of Taj Mahal, Shah Jahan extensively went through a number of designs
and rejected many more. The walls of the monument are meticulously engraved
with precious gem stones.
The design of Taj Mahal involves traits of smart architecture. Each of the four
pillars around the main tomb has a separate name to itself. This was planned to
prevent the monument from being damaged by natural disasters. The
architectural style of Taj Mahal combines the features of Persian, Turkish, Indian
and many other architectural styles.
Apart from the main building, there are many things to admire in and around Taj
Mahal. Leading the way to the marble tomb is a beautiful fountain with a number
of water channels. The reflection of the building on the water adds a different
level to the serenity of the monument. The Taj Mahal looks magical on a full-
moon night.
Conclusion
Taj Mahal is the pride of Indian architecture. Every year, around 2-4 million
people come to visit this monument. Currently, a number of measures are being
taken by the government to save its beauty from the harmful effects of pollution.