The Taj Mahal is the masterpiece of Indian Mughal architecture. Located in Agar on the bank of Yamuna River, this magnificent monument is the blend of Islamic, Persian and Turkish architecture. Taj Mahal is the symmetrical wonder which is constructed on raised platform and its tomb is framed by four minarets, one at each corner. Taj mausoleum was the vision of Shah Jahan. He was so disheartened by the loss of his beloved wife; he actually decided to make a magnificent structure as the final resting place for his wife. The white marble of this spectacular creation glows in the full moon night. The beauty and charisma of Taj Mahal can’t be narrated, it can be felt only on visiting.

Facts About Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal is the most beautiful mausoleum of the world. The foundation of the building was laid by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan Alamgir in the memory of his beloved wife Empress Mumtaz Mahal. The construction was started on 1632 A.D. and completed on 1654 AD. However, in shaping the gardens and lawns it took extra five years. 20,000 workers were indulged in shaping this monument.

The architects of the monuments were Ustad Isa, Qazim Khan, Amanat Khan and Mir Abdul Hakim. Ustad Isa, the renowned Islamic architect of that time was the leading designer of the mausoleum.

Taj Mahal is made from white marble and sits on the raised platform. The four minarets on each corner of Taj are topped with eight windowed cupolas. Mumtaz Mahal’s tomb is centrally lined with the main entrance and rests directly below the dome. Shah Jahan had no intention of putting his tomb their but Aurangzeb did it and broke the symmetry.

Taj Mahal is the finest example of symmetrical construction. Precious white marble are decorated with the colours of crushed stones. Inside of dome is embellished with precious stones. Calligraphy, geometric, abstract and vegetative motifs are skillfully used to engrave the mosaic designs.

Taj Mahal was build at the cost of 2 million dollars. The initial name of mausoleum was “Rauza” but later changed to Taj Mahal, a derivative of Empress Mumtaz Mahal’s name.

Taj Mahal is at number one position out of Seven Wonders of the World. The main complexes of Taj Mahal are Darwaza, the Bageecha, the Masjid, the Naqqar Khana and the Rauza (Taj Mahal Mausoleum)

Myths About Taj Mahal

Shah Jahan was planning to build the another Taj Mahal in black Marble as his tomb opposite bank of river Yamuna but that didn’t happen due to his ongoing hassle with his son.

Shan Jahan ordered to chop off the hands of craftsmen so, that no one can copy the architecture of Taj Mahal.

Some European intellectuals believe Taj Mahal was designed by an Italian architect Geronimo Verone.

The other popular myth is Taj Mahal is sinking in Agra.

People believe the place where Taj Mahal is situated, was earlier occupied by a temple of Lord Shiva. Shan Jahan sized the temple and modified it into mausoleum.