The crown of palaces, an awe inspiring reproduction of symmetry and beauty, or Taj Mahal is an epitome of Indian architecture and splendor. Standing 171 meters tall this memorial of love created of white marble has drawn awed and inspired millions of visitors over the years. Standing to the south of Yamuna in agra, the taj was commissioned in 1632 and completed after 22 years in 1653 and holds proud prominence in the seven wonders of the modern world.
The story
The taj as it is fondly called is a mausoleum that houses the tombs of the 5th Mughal emperor Shah Jahan and his 3rd wife Mumtaz Mahal. Conceived as memorial of love for Mumtaz, this also houses within its structures the tombs of all other wives and even some of his favorite servants. While giving birth to their 14th child Arjumand Banu or Mumtaz mahal, passed away in Burhanpur in 1631. Grief struck Shah jahan spent a year in solitary mourning and conceived the idea of the taj. Designed under the supervision of Ustad Ahmad Lahauri, and constructed by a work force of 20,000 labourers including a 1000 strong elephant team, the Taj cost Shah Jahan a whopping 32 million rupees at that time. Myths like Shah jahan planning a black taj to mirror the white one on the other bank of Yamuna, the hands of the laborers being cut off to prevent them from replicating the work or that it was in fact a hindu construction have traversed through time.
FACTS ABOUT THE TAJ
Some of the important facts about the taj include:
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The Taj is created as a work of symmetry, with each element of the complex- buildings, gardens, waterworks, paths, all highlighting the essence of symmetry.
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To give stability to the foundation of the building, about 3 acres of land was excavated and then filled and leveled to a height of 50 metres above the river waterline. Wells were dug in this area to form the footings of the tomb.
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For construction marble was used from Makrana in rajasthan, jasper came from Punjab, crystal and jade came from china. Tibet gave turquoise, while Afghanistan was source of the lapis lazuli, sri lanka gave sapphire and the carnelian was from Arabia.
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The actual tombs of shah jahan and mumtaz are actually situated a floor below than the intricately designed ones on display
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The various standout elements of the building are the square plinth, riding in which is the symmetrical building with an iwan or arched doorway, with a bulbous or onion shaped dome. The dome is accentuated by a lotus design and a bronze finial with a moon on top whose horns point heavenwards.
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Calligraphy forms an important element of the exterior decoration of the Taj
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Lapidary is an important element in the interior decoration of the Taj, along with calligraphy. The 99 names of god are inscribed on the actual tomb of mumtaj mahal.
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The gardens are an important element of the complex, and designed as a charbagh. The four flowing rivers of paradise are symbolized in the construct of the garden. The deviance from a traditional Mughal garden is in the fact that the main element of this complex the tomb is situated at an end of the garden instead of middle.
INTERESTING FACTS
Some interesting trivia about the Taj include
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The 4 minarets are built such that they are leaning away from the central structure, so as to prevent damage to it in case of earthquake or such
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The complex houses a functional mosque and hence is closed on Fridays for prayers
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A guest house is built as a mirror or jawab to the mosque
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The Taj appears to change colours through the day, a pinkish hue in the morning, milky white in the evening to a golden like aura when lit up at night by the moon.
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Optical illusion features an important part of the Taj, such that the calligraphic inscription seems to be of same width when viewed bottom up along the entire length unlike the diminishing at towards top as is expected. Similarly when seen framed by the archway of the doorway it seems bigger as compared to when seen unframed after entering the complex.
