Today, I am going to share the "Full Information of Taj Mahal". Taj Mahal is a white marble mausoleum located in Agra, India. Commissioned by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, it took over 20 years to complete and was finished in 1653. The architectural masterpiece is considered one of the finest examples of Mughal architecture and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It features intricate carvings, elaborate calligraphy, and beautiful inlaid semi-precious stones. The monument attracts millions of visitors each year and is widely regarded as a symbol of love and devotion. It continues to captivate and inspire people from all over the world. Read this article to know more about Taj Mahal.
Full Information of Taj Mahal
Although the construction of the mausoleum was almost finished in 1643, further phases of the project continued for another decade. The Taj Mahal complex was ultimately completed in 1653, with an estimated cost of ₹32 million at the time, which would equate to around ₹70 billion (about US $1 billion) in 2020. Ustad Ahmad Lahauri, the emperor's court architect, led a board of architects that oversaw approximately 20,000 artisans who worked on the construction project. The Taj employs various types of symbolism, which reflect natural beauty and divinity.
In 1983, the Taj Mahal was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its status as "the jewel of Muslim art in India" and one of the world's most universally admired cultural treasures. It is widely recognized as the finest example of Mughal architecture and a powerful symbol of India's rich heritage. With over 6 million visitors annually, the Taj Mahal remains one of the world's most popular tourist destinations. Furthermore, in 2007, it was selected as one of the winners of the New 7 Wonders of the World initiative (2000-2007).
Etymology
In his 1636 book, Padshahnama, Abdul Hamid Lahauri refers to the Taj Mahal as "rauza-i munawwara" (Perso-Arabic: روضه منواره, rawdah-i munawwarah), which translates to "illumined" or "illustrious" tomb. It is believed that the current name for the Taj Mahal, "Taj Mahall," originates from the Persian words "tāj mahall," meaning "crown palace." The name "Taj" was likely derived from the second syllable of "Mumtaz" and is now commonly used to refer to the monument.
Inspiration
In 1631, Shah Jahan commissioned the construction of the Taj Mahal in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, who passed away on June 17th of the same year while giving birth to their 14th child, Gauhara Begum. The construction began in 1632 and was completed in 1648, with the surrounding buildings and garden finished five years later. The documentation of Shah Jahan's grief by the imperial court after the death of Mumtaz Mahal serves as a testament to the love story that inspired the creation of the Taj Mahal.
Architecture and design
The design of the Taj Mahal expands on the Indo-Islamic and earlier Mughal architecture traditions. It drew inspiration from successful buildings of the Timurid and Mughal dynasties, including Gur-e Amir, the tomb of Timur in Samarkand, Humayun's Tomb, which influenced the Charbagh gardens and hasht-behesht plan of the site, Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb, also known as the Baby Taj, and Shah Jahan's Jama Masjid in Delhi. While previous Mughal buildings were mainly made of red sandstone, Shah Jahan advocated for the use of white marble with inlaid semi-precious stones, resulting in buildings with increased refinement under his patronage.
Tomb
At the Taj Mahal complex, the main attraction is the tomb. This grand structure, made of white marble, sits on a square plinth and has a symmetrical design featuring an iwan with an arch-shaped doorway, a large dome, and finial. The Indo-Islamic elements in the design are typical of Mughal tombs. The base of the tomb is a cube with chamfered corners, forming an eight-sided structure that measures around 55 meters on each of its four long sides. The iwan on each side is framed by a large pishtaq or vaulted archway, with two similarly shaped arched balconies on either side. This pattern of stacked pishtaqs is repeated on the chamfered corner areas, giving the building a symmetrical appearance on all sides. The tomb is also framed by four minarets, located at each corner of the plinth facing the chamfered corners. Inside the main chamber, you can see the false sarcophagi of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan, while their actual graves are situated on a lower level.
The tomb boasts a magnificent marble dome that stands at almost 35 meters (115 ft) high, which is comparable to the length of the base. The dome sits on a cylindrical drum that is around 7 meters (23 ft) high, further accentuating its grandeur. It is often referred to as an onion dome or amrud (guava dome) because of its distinctive shape. The top of the dome features a lotus design that adds to its height. Additionally, four smaller domed kiosks (chattris) situated at the corners mimic the onion shape of the main dome, further emphasizing its shape. The columned bases of the kiosks extend through the roof of the tomb, providing light to the interior. To enhance the height of the dome, tall decorative spires (guldastas) extend from the base walls, featuring the lotus motif. A gilded finial adorns the top of the dome and chattris, combining traditional Persian and Hindustani decorative elements. Despite its slight asymmetry, the dome remains an impressive architectural masterpiece.
The original gold main finial was replaced in the early 19th century by a gilded bronze copy, showcasing the integration of traditional Persian and Hindu decorative styles. The finial itself features a moon with upward-pointing horns, a common Islamic motif.
The more than 40 meter tall minarets are a testament to the designer's love for symmetry and are designed to function as working minarets, which is a traditional feature of mosques. These minarets are effectively divided into three equal parts by two working balconies that encircle the tower. At the top of each minaret is a final balcony topped by a chattri that is reminiscent of those found on the tomb. All of the chattris feature the same decorative elements, with a lotus design and a gilded finial. To ensure safety, the minarets were constructed just outside the plinth, so that in the event of collapse, the material would fall away from the tomb, as was common with many tall constructions of the period.
Exterior decorations
The embellishments on the outer walls of the Taj Mahal are considered some of the most exquisite examples of Mughal architecture. The decorations have been adjusted in proportion to the changing surface area, and were crafted using paint, stucco, stone inlays, and carvings. To adhere to the Islamic tenet prohibiting the use of anthropomorphic figures, the decorative elements fall under three categories: calligraphy, abstract forms, and vegetative motifs. The Qur'an passages are featured throughout the complex as decorative elements, with recent research indicating that Amanat Khan was responsible for their selection.
The Great Gate features calligraphy that reads, "O Soul, thou art at rest. Return to the Lord at peace with Him, and He at peace with you." This calligraphy was crafted in 1609 by a skilled calligrapher named Abdul Haq, who was granted the title of "Amanat Khan" by Shah Jahan for his impressive artistry. Adjacent to the Qur'anic lines inscribed on the interior dome's base is the phrase, "Written by the insignificant being, Amanat Khan Shirazi." The calligraphy incorporates florid thuluth script, created using jasper or black marble inlaid in white marble panels. To minimize distortion when viewed from below, the higher panels feature slightly larger script. The calligraphy adorning the marble cenotaphs within the tomb is especially intricate and delicate.
Abstract forms are prominently featured in various elements of the architecture, particularly in the plinth, minarets, gateway, mosque, and jawab, as well as on the surfaces of the tomb to a lesser degree. The sandstone buildings' domes and vaults are intricately adorned with incised paintings in tracery to form elaborate geometric shapes, while herringbone inlays are utilized to outline the space between many of the connecting elements. White inlays are incorporated into the sandstone buildings, whereas dark or black inlays are employed in the white marbles. In the marble structures, the mortared areas have been stained or painted in contrasting hues, producing a complex assemblage of geometric patterns. The floors and walkways showcase contrasting tiles or blocks arranged in tessellation patterns.
The lower walls of the tomb feature white marble dados that have been skillfully sculpted with realistic bas relief representations of flowers and vines, which are polished to accentuate the fine details of the carvings. The dado frames and archway spandrels are embellished with pietra dura inlays of highly stylized, almost geometric vines, flowers, and fruits. Yellow marble, jasper, and jade inlay stones are polished and leveled with the walls' surface.
Interior decoration
The interior of the Taj Mahal goes far beyond traditional decorative elements. It features a lapidary of precious and semiprecious gemstones instead of the usual pietra dura inlay work. The chamber is octagonal, with entry points on each face, but only the southern garden-facing door is used. The walls reach a height of about 25 meters and are topped by a "false" interior dome adorned with a sun motif. Ground level space is defined by eight pishtaq arches, each crowned with a second pishtaq about halfway up the wall. The central upper arches form balconies, and each balcony's exterior window is screened with intricate jali cut from marble. Light enters the chamber through roof openings covered by chattris at the corners and the octagonal marble screen or jali bordering the cenotaphs is made from eight marble panels carved through with intricate pierce work. The walls are highly decorated with dado bas-relief, intricate lapidary inlay, and refined calligraphy panels that mirror the design elements of the exterior.
According to Muslim tradition, the decoration of graves should be kept simple. Therefore, Mumtaz and Shah Jahan were buried in a plain crypt located below the inner chamber of the Taj Mahal. Their faces were turned towards Mecca, with Mumtaz Mahal's cenotaph placed at the exact center of the inner chamber on a rectangular marble base measuring 1.5 by 2.5 meters. While the base and casket of both tombs are richly adorned with precious and semi-precious gems, Mumtaz's casket has calligraphic inscriptions that identify and praise her, while the lid of the casket features a raised rectangular lozenge resembling a writing tablet. Shah Jahan's cenotaph, which is larger than his wife's, is placed beside Mumtaz's to the west and has a traditional sculpture of a small pen box on the lid. The Ninety Nine Names of God are inscribed on the sides of Mumtaz's tomb, while other inscriptions inside the crypt include expressions of nobility and majesty. The tomb of Shah Jahan bears a calligraphic inscription that records the date of his death.
Garden
The Taj Mahal complex features a grand 300-meter square Mughal garden known as a charbagh. The garden comprises 16 sunken parterres or flowerbeds, separated by raised pathways, arranged in a north-south axis with a marble water tank and a reflecting pool halfway between the tomb and gateway at the center. This water tank, known as al Hawd al-Kawthar, is elevated and is believed to reflect the image of the mausoleum. The charbagh garden design was introduced to India by the first Mughal emperor, Babur, and is inspired by Persian gardens. It symbolizes the four rivers of Paradise and represents the Persian paridaeza, meaning 'walled garden.' The Taj Mahal garden's unique feature is that the tomb is situated at the end of the garden, unlike most Mughal charbaghs where the tomb or pavilion is at the center. The Archaeological Survey of India believes that the Yamuna River was incorporated into the garden's design and meant to represent one of the rivers of Paradise. The Shalimar Gardens' architectural features suggest that both gardens may have been designed by the same architect, Ali Mardan. The Taj Mahal garden was abundant in vegetation, including roses, daffodils, and fruit trees, as described in early accounts. However, as the Mughal Empire declined, the Taj Mahal and its gardens also declined, and the British Empire, which controlled more than three-fifths of India by the 19th century, assumed management of the Taj Mahal and changed the landscaping to resemble the formal lawns of London.
Outlying buildings
The Taj Mahal complex is enclosed by red sandstone walls on three sides, while the fourth side facing the river is open. Other mausoleums, including those of Shah Jahan's other wives and a tomb for Mumtaz's favourite servant, are located outside the walls and are made of red sandstone, typical of smaller Mughal tombs. The inner sides of the walls facing the garden feature columned arcades, inspired by Hindu temples and later incorporated into Mughal mosques. The wall also includes chattris and small buildings, possibly viewing areas or watchtowers, such as the Music House, which now serves as a museum.
The main gateway, or darwaza, is a grand marble structure that reflects the Mughal architecture of earlier emperors. The archways mirror those of the tomb and incorporate the same calligraphy as the tomb's decor. The gateway features bas-relief and pietra dura inlaid decorations with floral motifs, while the vaulted ceilings and walls are adorned with geometric designs similar to those found in the other sandstone buildings of the complex.
At the end of the complex are two identical red sandstone buildings facing the sides of the tomb. The western building is a mosque, while the other is known as the jawab, possibly used as a guesthouse. The mosque features 569 prayer rugs outlined in black marble on its floor, while the jawab lacks a mihrab and has floors with geometric designs. The basic design of the mosque includes a long hall with three domes, similar to other mosques built by Shah Jahan, like the Masjid-i Jahān-Numā in Delhi. The sanctuary hall of the mosque is divided into three areas, with each area opening onto an expansive vaulting dome. The outlying buildings were completed in 1643.
Construction
The land on which the Taj Mahal stands was obtained by Shah Jahan as a gift in exchange for a palace he presented to Maharaja Jai Singh I in the center of Agra. A 1.2-hectare area was excavated, filled with dirt to minimize seepage, and leveled at a height of 50 meters above the riverbank. Piles were dug and filled with rubble to form the tomb's foundation, and instead of bamboo scaffolding, a colossal brick scaffold was erected, which was mirrored the tomb. The scaffold was so massive that the foremen thought it would take years to dismantle.
Building materials from all over India and Asia were used to construct the Taj Mahal, with over 1,000 elephants used to transport them. The translucent white marble was brought from Makrana in Rajasthan, while jasper came from the Punjab region, and jade and crystal from China. The turquoise and Lapis lazuli were sourced from Tibet and Afghanistan, respectively, while sapphires came from Sri Lanka and carnelian from Arabia. A total of 28 types of precious and semi-precious stones were inlaid into the white marble.
According to legend, Shah Jahan decreed that anyone could keep the bricks taken from the colossal scaffold, resulting in peasants dismantling it overnight. A 15-kilometer tamped-earth ramp was built to transport materials to the construction site, with teams of oxen pulling the blocks on specially constructed wagons. An elaborate post-and-beam pulley system was used to raise the blocks into place. Water was drawn from the river by a series of purs and raised to a large distribution tank.
It took around 12 years to complete the plinth and tomb, while the remaining parts of the complex took another ten years and were finished in the order of minarets, mosque and jawab, and gateway. The complex was constructed in stages, resulting in discrepancies in completion dates due to differing opinions on "completion." Construction of the mausoleum itself was finished by 1643, while work on the surrounding buildings continued for years. The total construction cost is estimated to be about ₹32 million, equivalent to approximately ₹52.8 billion ($827 million US) based on 2015 values.
Symbolism
The Taj Mahal is widely recognized as a symbol of India due to its global popularity and numerous visitors. Beyond being a representation of love, it also serves as an embodiment of Shah Jahan's power and prosperity during his reign. The building's symmetry, centered on a central axis, illustrates balance and harmony as a representation of ruling force. Shah Jahan's planning was also aligned with the cardinal north-south direction, and the corners were intentionally placed so that the sun could be seen rising and setting on the north and south corners during the summer and winter solstices. The interior and exterior of the Taj Mahal are decorated with colorful vines and flowers, semi-precious stones, and reflecting pools, which give the impression of the divine presence at the site.
According to art historian Ebba Koch, the Taj Mahal's entire compound is symbolic of earthly life and the afterlife, as well as the divine. The plan of the Taj is divided into two halves, one representing the white marble mausoleum and the gardens, while the other half depicts the red sandstone side, which symbolizes worldly markets. Only the mausoleum is white, representing Mumtaz Mahal's spirituality, enlightenment, and faith. Additionally, the plan of the worldly side is a mirror image of the otherworldly side, with the grand gate representing the transition between the two.
The Taj Mahal is often seen as a feminine architectural form, embodying Mumtaz Mahal's character and beauty. Overall, the Taj Mahal is a powerful symbol of India, love, and the divine, showcasing the grandeur and creativity of the Mughal Empire.
Later days
Shortly after the Taj Mahal was finished, Shah Jahan, its patron, was overthrown by his son Aurangzeb and placed under house arrest at Agra Fort. Following Shah Jahan's passing, Aurangzeb buried him in the same mausoleum as his wife. In the 18th century, the Jat rulers of Bharatpur invaded Agra and attacked the Taj Mahal, looting the two chandeliers, one made of agate and another of silver, that were suspended over the main cenotaph, as well as the gold and silver screen. Kanbo, a Mughal historian, recounted that the gold shield covering the 15-foot-high finial atop the main dome was also taken during the Jat despoliation.
By the end of the 19th century, sections of the Taj Mahal had fallen into disrepair. In response, British viceroy Lord Curzon initiated a significant restoration project that concluded in 1908. He also commissioned a sizable lamp for the inner chamber, designed after one found in a Cairo mosque. During this renovation, the garden was reimagined with European-style lawns that remain in place today.
Threats
During World War II, the government erected scaffolding around the Taj Mahal to deceive Japanese Air Force pilots during air attacks. The scaffolding was also used during the India-Pakistan wars in the mid-1900s to mislead bomber pilots. In recent times, pollution from the Mathura Oil Refinery on the banks of the Yamuna River has caused acid rain that is turning the Taj Mahal yellow-brown. To combat this pollution, the Indian government has created the Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ), a 10,400-square-kilometer area surrounding the monument with strict emissions standards. The decreasing groundwater level in the Yamuna river basin has raised concerns about the structural integrity of the Taj Mahal. The wooden foundation of the tomb may be rotting due to lack of water, and cracks have appeared in parts of the tomb and the minarets surrounding it are tilting. Politicians have noted, however, that the minarets are designed to tilt outwards slightly to prevent them from collapsing onto the tomb in an earthquake. In 2018 and 2020, storms caused damage to small minarets located at two of the outlying buildings of the Taj Mahal.
Tourism
The Taj Mahal is a popular tourist attraction that has seen a significant increase in visitors over the years. According to UNESCO, there were over 2 million visitors in 2001, and by 2014, the number had increased to around 7-8 million. To manage the influx of tourists, the site has implemented a three-tier pricing system, with lower fees for Indian citizens and higher fees for foreigners. As of 2022, the fee for Indian citizens is ₹50, while citizens of SAARC and BIMSTEC countries pay ₹540, and foreign tourists pay ₹1,100.
Most tourists prefer to visit the Taj Mahal during the cooler months of October, November, and February. The site does not allow polluting traffic near the complex, so visitors must either walk from parking areas or catch an electric bus. The Khawasspuras, or northern courtyards, are currently being restored for use as a new visitor center. To address overtourism, fines are now imposed on visitors who stay longer than three hours.
The small town of Taj Ganji, also known as Mumtazabad, was originally built with caravanserais, bazaars, and markets to serve the needs of visitors and workers. The Taj Mahal frequently appears on lists of recommended travel destinations and has been included in several listings of seven wonders of the modern world, including the recent New Seven Wonders of the World, which received 100 million votes.
The complex is open from 06:00 to 19:00 on weekdays, except for Friday when it is open for prayers at the mosque between 12:00 and 14:00. Night viewing is allowed on the day of the full moon and two days before and after, except for Fridays and the month of Ramadan.
The Taj Mahal has also welcomed numerous foreign dignitaries, including Dwight Eisenhower, Jacqueline Kennedy, Jimmy Carter, George H. W. Bush, George Harrison, Vladimir Putin, Princess Diana, Donald Trump, Justin Trudeau, Prince Charles, Queen Elizabeth, and Prince Philip.
Myths
The building has been admired across cultures and geography, with personal and emotional responses outweighing scholarly appraisals. However, the myth of a Black Taj Mahal across the Yamuna river, planned by Shah Jahan and thwarted by his son Aurangzeb, has been debunked. Excavations in the 1990s found that the ruins were discoloured white stones that had turned black, and a more credible theory suggested that the dark reflection of the white mausoleum in the Mehtab Bagh was Shah Jahan's intended symmetry.
There are several unsupported myths surrounding the construction of the Taj Mahal. Claims of gruesome deaths and mutilations inflicted by Shah Jahan on architects and craftsmen, as well as Lord William Bentinck's supposed plan to demolish the Taj Mahal and auction off its marble, have no evidence. Similarly, unsupported theories suggest that a Hindu king or European architects designed the Taj Mahal.
Officials find broken bangles surrounding the silhouette of the finial, a myth suggesting that beating it will cause water to come forth. However, there is no archaeological record to support this claim or any of the other myths surrounding the Taj Mahal.
Controversies
In 2017, there were court cases claiming that the Taj Mahal was originally a Hindu temple, which were influenced by P. N. Oak's theory. However, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) declared in August of that year that there was no evidence supporting the claim. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member Vinay Katiyar also stated that the monument was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan after destroying a Hindu temple called "Tejo Mahalaya" and that it housed a Shiva linga. Similar claims had been made by another BJP member Laxmikant Bajpai in 2014. However, the BJP government's Union Minister of Culture Mahesh Sharma stated in November 2015 that there was no evidence supporting these claims.
The controversy continued in 2017 when the Uttar Pradesh government did not include the Taj Mahal in its official tourism booklet, with chief minister Yogi Adityanath stating that it did not represent Indian culture. BJP MLA Sangeet Som further claimed that those who built the Taj Mahal were traitors and that it was a "blot" on the country's culture, alleging that it was built by a man who jailed his own father and wished to kill Hindus. The comments were criticized by AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi, Jammu & Kashmir National Conference leader Omar Abdullah, and Azam Khan, while CM Adityanath stated that Som's comments were personal and that the government would focus on the tourism potential of every monument. The theories about the Taj Mahal being a Shiva temple originated from Oak's 1989 book "Taj Mahal: The True Story", in which he claimed it was built in 1155 AD and not in the 17th century, as stated by the ASI.
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