Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal is a white marble mausoleum located on the right bank of the Yamuna River in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. It was commissioned in 1631 by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan to house the tomb of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who passed away in 1631. The mausoleum also contains Shah Jahan's tomb. The complex, spread across 17 hectares, includes a mosque, a guest house, and formal gardens surrounded by a crenellated wall. Construction of the Taj Mahal was completed in 1648

Taj Mahal
LocationAgra, Uttar Pradesh, India
Coordinates27°10′30″N 78°2′31″E
Area17 hectares (42 acres)
Height73 m (240 ft)
Built1631–1653;
372 years ago
Built forMumtaz Mahal
ArchitectUstad Ahmad Lahori
Architectural style(s)Mughal architecture
Visitors4.84 million
 (in Apr'22-Feb'23)
Governing bodyMinistry of Culture, Government of India

but the project continued until 1653. The total cost of the Taj Mahal is estimated to be ₹35 billion in 2023. The mausoleum combines Indo-Islamic and Mughal architecture and was built using white marble, with other buildings in red sandstone. Over 20,000 workers and artisans contributed to its construction, guided by the chief architect Ustad Ahmad Lahori.

In 1983, the Taj Mahal was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its significance as a masterpiece of Islamic art and Mughal architecture. It attracts more than five million visitors annually and was named one of the New 7 Wonders of the World in 2007. The name "Taj Mahal" comes from Persian and Urdu, meaning "crown of the palace." The Taj Mahal was inspired by Shah Jahan's love and grief after the death of Mumtaz Mahal, who passed away while giving birth to their child. The emperor chose a location in Agra, previously owned by Raja Jai Singh I, for the mausoleum after agreeing on a land exchange.

Architecture and design

The Taj Mahal is a stunning example of Indo-Islamic and Mughal architecture, combining elements from Timurid and Mughal styles. It draws inspiration from structures such as the Gur-e Amir in Samarkand and Humayun's Tomb in Delhi, which influenced its Charbagh gardens and layout. The complex is built symmetrically with various shapes and symbols. Constructed primarily from white marble with semi-precious stone inlays, it also features red sandstone for other buildings, reflecting Mughal architectural styles. The entire complex is situated on an elevated platform by the Yamuna river, with intricate sandstone patterns. The mausoleum stands at the center of the complex, a square plinth measuring 95.5 meters with an eight-sided structure. The structure features large arched doorways, minarets, and a prominent dome topped with a gilded finial. Surrounding the main dome are four smaller domes and spires. The marble surface is adorned with delicate calligraphy and stone inlays, including plant motifs and geometrical designs, in keeping with Islamic art traditions.

The interior consists of an octagonal central chamber housing the cenotaphs of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan. This space is decorated with intricate carvings and semi-precious stones. Beneath the chamber lies the actual burial chamber, where both rulers are interred. The monument’s design also features a large garden, symbolizing paradise, with fountains, reflecting pools, and avenues of trees. The Taj Mahal was commissioned by Shah Jahan in 1631 to honor his wife Mumtaz Mahal, with construction starting in 1632 and completing in 1653. It was built using materials such as Makrana marble and red sandstone. Artisans from across the empire and beyond, including from Bukhara, Persia, and Italy, worked on the construction. The Taj Mahal underwent restoration under British viceroy Lord Curzon in the late 19th century. Over time, the Taj Mahal faced environmental threats, including pollution and acid rain, causing discoloration of the marble. In the 1990s, the Indian government created the Taj Trapezium Zone to limit pollution around the site. Despite recent structural concerns and damage due to storms, the monument continues to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with ongoing restoration efforts to preserve its beauty.

Symbolism

The Taj Mahal, due to its global significance and the millions of visitors it attracts, has become a defining image of India, embodying the country's essence. Besides being a well-known symbol of love, it also represents Shah Jahan’s wealth, power, and the flourishing of his empire. The design of the Taj Mahal, with its balanced symmetry centered around a central axis, is a classic symbol of a ruling force that brings harmony and order, a concept that Shah Jahan applied in its creation. Additionally, the alignment of the plan with the cardinal directions and its orientation allows the sun to rise and set at specific points during the solstices, creating a symbolic horizon. The overall layout of the Taj Mahal complex, from the mausoleum to the gardens, represents Mumtaz Mahal's mansion in the garden of Paradise.

 The concept of paradise gardens is reflected in the construction of the mausoleum itself. Intricate decoration, using colorful reliefs and semi-precious stones, adds to the grandeur of the building. The white marble surface of the Taj appears to change color depending on the time of day and weather conditions—pinkish in the morning, white during the day, golden in the moonlight, and sometimes bluish under certain lighting, creating a magical, dynamic visual experience. This effect is due to the interaction of light and moisture with the marble. The sky is also symbolically included in the design, not only through the reflecting pools but also through the building's surface, further emphasizing the divine presence at the site.

Art historian Ebba Koch, a renowned expert on Mughal architecture, notes that the entire design symbolizes both earthly life and the afterlife, with a clear separation between the two worlds. The white marble mausoleum and gardens represent the afterlife, while the red sandstone side, meant for markets, symbolizes the earthly world. The symmetry between the two sides is a direct representation of the transition between these realms, with the grand gate acting as the entry point. Tourism at the Taj Mahal is a major attraction, drawing millions of visitors each year. In the 2022–23 financial year, approximately five million people visited. There is a tiered pricing system with significantly lower fees for Indian citizens and higher charges for foreign tourists. As of 2024, Indian citizens pay ₹50, while citizens from SAARC and BIMSTEC countries pay ₹540, and other foreign visitors are charged ₹1,100. Tourists can enter through three gates, but due to pollution, vehicles are not allowed near the complex, so visitors must either walk or take electric buses from parking areas. The site is open daily, except Fridays, from an hour before sunrise to 45 minutes before sunset, with limited nighttime viewing during the full moon, excluding Ramadan. To manage overtourism, fines are imposed on visitors who stay longer than three hours.

The small town of Taj Ganji or Mumtazabad, located to the south, was originally built with caravanserais, markets, and bazaars to support visitors and workers. The Taj Mahal frequently appears in lists of major travel destinations and is included in several lists of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Foreign dignitaries often visit the Taj during their trips to India. Numerous myths have surrounded the Taj Mahal since its construction. One popular myth suggests that Shah Jahan planned to build a black marble mausoleum across the Yamuna River, known as the Black Taj Mahal. This theory, originating from European writer Jean-Baptiste Tavernier in 1665, claims Shah Jahan’s son, Aurangzeb, overthrew him before construction could begin. However, excavations in the 1990s disproved this theory, revealing that the ruins in question were white stones that had turned black due to weathering. A more plausible explanation is that the dark reflection of the white mausoleum in a pool in Mehtab Bagh was perceived as the Black Taj Mahal.

Additionally, no credible evidence supports stories that Shah Jahan disfigured or mutilated the craftsmen who worked on the Taj Mahal. Myths also claim that the monument was designed by a Hindu king or a foreign architect, but these have been debunked through historical research and court rulings. In the 2000s, India's Supreme Court dismissed claims that the Taj Mahal was built by a Hindu ruler. Similarly, allegations that the Taj was intended to be demolished in the 1830s for its marble were refuted by biographers and historians. Other myths, such as the claim that beating the finial will cause water to emerge, have also been disproven. Despite the persistence of such stories, the Taj Mahal remains an iconic symbol, deeply linked to India's cultural and historical identity.

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