Agra, the city of the Taj Mahal and once the capital of the Mughal empire, has several monuments which display the splendor of Mughal architecture. It was here that Babar, the founding father of the dynasty, had the primary formal Persian garden laid out on the banks of the river Yamuna. Akbar, his grandson, raised the towering ramparts of the good Red Fort, within whose walls Jahangir built rose-red palaces, courts, and gardens, and which Shahjahan embellished with marble mosques, palaces, and pavilions of gem-inlaid white marble.
The location of the Taj Mahal in Agra, India, is within a formal garden on a bank of the River Yamuna. The Taj Mahal consists of a group of structures including a mosque and guesthouse built of red sandstone and the main structure, which houses both the real and the decorative tombs of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan.
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| The Taj Mahal, India (pics courtesy: vivekgeddam from pixabay) |
Agra taj mahal The main structure is surrounded by 4 minarets and flanked by a guesthouse and a mosque. All these structures rest on a high platform. The platform is approached via a walkway with gardens on either side. The gardens are divided into 4 large sections and this open area of parks and waterways before the Taj Mahal is known as the char bagh. In the middle of the char bagh, there's a lotus pond with an ornamental border. The Taj Mahal is reflected in its entirety in the still waters of the lotus pool. Wherever you stand in the gardens, you can see a clear view of the Taj Mahal. The central path has fountains along with its middle and cypress trees on either side, ensuring that your focus remains on the location of the Taj Mahal.
An ingenious system of water supply, which still survives, raised water from the Yamuna and supplied the underground water channel leading to the fountains in the char bagh. The pressure in all the fountains is maintained at a similar level to create an aesthetically perfect effect. The water that overflows from the canals that criss-cross the gardens was used to water the lawns and flower beds that surround the location of the Taj Mahal.
The location of the Taj Mahal at the north end of the formal garden and its approach down the scenic walkway gives it a majestic appearance. The raised platform of red sandstone on which the marble base and structures rest, convey the impression of a cloudlike structure rising from the earth. The location of the Taj Mahal was carefully planned for the greatest aesthetic impact. The success of this design can be seen in the look of wonder in the eyes of every tourist who enters the grand gateway, looks down the central avenue, and sees the breathtaking Taj Mahal.
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| The Taj Mahal (pics courtesy - pixabay) |
The most romantic tomb ever created, the Taj Mahal houses the tombs of the emperor Shah Jahan and his beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal. This wonderful marble edifice took over 21 years to form and is that the finest jewel of art and architecture of the Mughal period. Laid within the formal design of Islamic gardens, the tomb is about on the banks of the river Yamuna, its massive dome and minarets reflecting within the waters of the river as well as the water channels of the garden.
The pure white marble of the tomb takes on the subtle changes in the sunshine, and indeed moonlight, and seems to vary color throughout the day and night. The tomb is typically open from morning till sundown, but during the complete moon, the tomb and its gardens are left hospitable to the general public in order that we will all enjoy the pearly white Taj in milky Moonlight of the full moon. It may be a marvelous sight to behold at any time of the year and is a magnet for lovers from around the world.
The wonder of the World
To people, the world over, the Taj Mahal, the mausoleum of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan's chief wife, Mumtaz Mahal, is synonymous with India. It is curving, gently swelling dome, and therefore the square base upon which it rests so lightly may be a familiar image from many brochures and travel books. The Taj is undoubtedly one of the foremost spectacular buildings of the planet. Renowned for its architectural magnificence and aesthetic beauty, it counts among man's proudest creations and is invariably included within the list of the world's foremost wonders. As a tomb, it's no match upon the earth, for mortal remains haven't been housed in greater grandeur.
Shah Jahan, "The King Of The World"
Prince Khurram was the fifth son of emperor Jahangir. He was the person of extraordinary brilliance, an excellent diplomat, a warrior, and a devotee of art. Once Jahangir wrote, "In art, in reason, in battle, there's no comparison between him and my other children". In the honor of his numerous victories Jahangir entitled him as "Shah Jahan", "The King of the World". After Jahangir's death, all his sons quarreled for the thrown, after fighting for years Shah Jahan killed all his brothers under suspicious circumstances and have become the emperor, besides him stood his queen, comrade, and confidante.
Mumtaz Mahal "The chosen one among the palace"
Shah Jahan titled her "Mumtaz Mahal", "The chosen one of the palace". A rarely found combination of beauty and brain. She was her husband's best friend and confidante. She would counsel him in diplomatic matters. She too was a great lover of art.
Build me a Taj
taj mahal, Mumtaz mahal, last wishes Mumtaz Mahal lay dying, she asked four promises from the emperor First - that he build the Taj, Second - that he should marry again, Third - that he be kind to their children & Fourth - that he visit the tomb on her death anniversary. He kept the first and second promises. Construction began in 1631 and was completed in 22 years. Twenty thousand people were deployed to work on it. The principal architect was the Iranian architect Istad Usma it is possible that the pietra dura work was coordinated by an Italian artist.
The story of the Taj Mahal reflects the intensity of affection. The fairy tale began when walking through the bazaar of Agra prince Khurram saw a woman. The girl was exceptionally beautiful. It was love at first sight for both of them. After five years, on an auspicious day they were married, and from that moment began the good epic of affection.
The exquisite Taj Mahal in Agra, India is sheer magic in white marble that commemorates everlasting affection and love of a lovelorn Mughal emperor for his beloved.
A tribute to beauty the Taj Mahal in Agra, India was constructed to stay a promise that was made by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to his wife Mumtaz Mahal who expressed her last dying wish to the distraught Shah Jahan to create her a memorial that might be the last word dedication to unparalleled love within the entire world.
The Location of the grand Taj Mahal was carefully chosen by Emperor Shah Jahan because the site was clearly visible from the Agra Fort. Located on the banks of the River Yamuna the Taj Mahal in Agra, India gives the impression of a humongous lone white cloud rising from the bottom in unparalleled grandeur and enigmatic charm, full of unspoken promises of love and bonding.
The board of architects who were chosen to design this monumental mausoleum under sovereign supervision chose to construct this paradisiacal structure on a raised sandstone platform that creates a breathtaking effect for the tourist as one enters the premises from the main gate. The location of the Taj Mahal was chosen to complement its beauty and to create a mausoleum complex that would be according to Shah Jahan's conception something similar to Allah's paradise.
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| Taj Mahal (pics courtesy: Dave Parkinson from pixabay) |
History
The history of this magnificent dedication to love began with the tragic death of the mighty emperor Shah Jahan's first love and beloved wife, Arjumand Bano Begum during childbirth. It is believed that the Mughal court mourned the death of their beloved Empress for quite two years. There were no celebrations or feasting on holidays for an extended time after Mumtaz Mahal gave up the ghost.
Prince Khurram or Shah Jahan wed Arjumand Bano Begum in the year 1612 A.D. and ever since the duo were inseparable. The trust, affection, and love shared by the two manifest itself in the walls of the stunning Taj Mahal that are alive with silent praises and hymns of love. All through Shah Jahan's lifetime, the mausoleum was known as 'rauza' later it was named Taj Mahal, which happens to be an adaptation of the name Mumtaz Mahal.
Arjumand Bano was affectionately addressed as Mumtaz Mahal as she played a pivotal role in the very existence of Shah Jahan, she was his political advisor, best friend, and devoted lover. Shah Jahan made it a point to take her along with him even to the war field. It was during one such expedition that Mumtaz Mahal passed away while giving birth to their 14th child.
The inscriptions from the Holy Koran that are found on the walls of the main mausoleum and on the southern façade of the majestic red-sandstone main gate, quite clearly indicate that Taj Mahal is meant to be akin to Allah's "Garden of Paradise" that offers the ultimate home to the souls of those who have passed away.
The aesthetic charm of this grand mausoleum derives its soul from the romantic love story and companionship that inspired its conception and finally led to its construction. Worshippers of love, beauty, and all things adorable have crossed the seas since the 17th century to come and get a glimpse of this flawlessly sculpted white marble mausoleum. Poets and artists over the centuries have tried helplessly to reproduce the unmatched beauty of this mausoleum with its living soul in word, song, and paint.
