The Taj Mahal- Facts And Myths

Location: On the banks of river Yamuna in Agra, India.
Year of Construction: 1631-1653
Built By: Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan
Built For: In memory of the Emperor’s dead wife
Spread Over: 42 acres
Significance: One of the Seven Wonders of the World

I visited the Taj Mahal about 8 years ago, I was 15years old, and still to this day, I consider it the most amazing piece of architecture I have seen in my life. And it’s rare that the average teenager appreciates something like architecture, so it really must have been something special. If anyone has the opportunity to see it, it’s a definite must. I don’t think anyone can disagree; the pictures of the building look amazing- it only gets more spectacular in real life, as you can’t see the fine attention to detail through mere pictures.

Introduction to The Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal is arguably one of the most incredible manmade constructions in the world. It’s located in Agra, which is in the north central part of Indian, on the right part of the Humana River. Known for its symmetry, the Taj Mahal sits on a raised platform surrounded by four minarets. Inside are delicate mosaic works and marble walls decorated with intricate patterns of inlaid precious stones. The Taj seems to glow in the light of the full moon. On a foggy morning, the visitors experience the Taj as if suspended when viewed from across the Jamuna river.

Taj Mahal Facts

The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum (a large tomb). It was commissioned by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan for his favourite wife Empress Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 1631. So great was the Shah Jahan’s love for his wife Mumtaz, that he ordered the building of the most beautiful mausoleum on Earth for her, The Taj Mahal.

Emperor Shah Jahan

Empress Mumtaz Mahal

• The construction documents show that its master architect was Ustad ‘Isa, the renowned Islamic architect of his time.
• The Taj stands on a raised, square platform (186 x 186 feet) with its four corners truncated, forming an unequal octagon. The architectural design uses the interlocking arabesque concept, in which each element stands on its own and perfectly integrates with the main structure.
• The tomb stands on its own marble base, which rests on a red sandstone platform. Four tall pillars, 138 ft each, rise up from the corners of the white marble base are topped with eight windowed cupolas. This has been made to replicate throne of God in paradise. Directly below the dome rests Mumtaz Mahal’s tomb, which is centrally lined with the main entrance. Besides Mumtaz Mahal’s tomb is the tomb of Shahjahan. The tomb of Shahjahan was not actually intended to be there but Aurangzeb placed it there, consequently breaking the symmetry.

• The Taj Mahal is generally considered the finest example of Mughal architecture, a style that combines elements of Persian, Turkish, Indian, and Islamic architectural styles.
• Construction of the tomb started in 1632, and was completed in 1648. It took 22 years to complete the tomb, and an extra 5 years for the garden, with the help of 20,000 workers. Sculptors, masons, craftsmen, and calligraphers were called from Persia, Ottoman Empire and Europe to work on construction of the Taj.
• The Taj Mahal is built from precious white marbel with dedlicate masiac, with inlaid precious stones. Almost every surface of the entire building has been decorated, and every detail is symmetrical. The mosaic designs are based on three decorative elements- calligrapyh, abtract geonetric and vegetative motifs. The exterior decorations of the Taj Mahal are among the finest to be found in Mughal architecture of any period.

Inside the dome



Calligraphy:


Mosaic:








• The Taj Mahal cost 32million rupees to build, which is roughly $1,000,000.
• The tomb initially called “Rauza”. Later, after Mumtaz Mahal passed away, the mausoleum would be called the Taj Mahal, a derivative of the name Mumtaz Mahal.
• The architectural complex of the Taj Mahal comprises of five main elements: the Darwaza or main gateway, the Bageecha or garden, the Masjid or mosque, the Naqqar Khana or rest house, and the Rauza or the Taj Mahal mausoleum.
• The name Taj Mahal when translated means “Crown Palace” or “Crown of the Palace.”
• The Taj Mahal is one of the eight wonders of the world.

Taj Mahal Myths

The Taj Mahal comes attached with many myths and legends; whilst many are strongly believed, others are laughed at. There is evidence to suggest that these rumours are based on truth, but nothing is set in stone.

• Many people believe, Shah Jehan had planned to build another Taj Mahal in black marble, which was to be his own tomb on the opposite bank of the River Yamuna and connect the two by a bridge. However, the construction never got started due to conflict with this son’s, which took up most of his time.
• Shah Jehan deemed that no one else should ever copy the masterpice, so he had the master craftsmans hands cut off.
  Some European scholars held the view that the Taj was designed by an Italian – Geronimo Veroneo. This was first suggested by Father Manrique, an Augustinian Friar, who came to Agra in 1640 A.D. to secure the release of Father Antony who had been imprisoned by the Mughals.
• In the early years after the Taj Mahal was built, a long series of cracks in the underground vaults started to emerge. Those cracks were quickly seen to, and patched up. Cracking has been observed at different times since construction; testing in the early 19th Century showed the base of the mausoleum on the northern side of the structure is lower than on the south by 3.5 centimetres. There is some evidence the Taj Mahal is gradually sinking into the Yamuna River.

Taj Mahal Front View



Taj Mahal Birdseye View



Taj Mahal Gateway to the Gardens



Taj Mahal Dome Exterior



Taj Mahal Pilar



Taj Mahal Wall



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71 Comments

« Previous12Next »

luc wrote, on Mar 22nd, 2008

	it is a love symbolof th emperor
51

History teacher wrote, on Apr 8th, 2008

	It has been discovered the the Black Taj is actually not a myth. There was never a physical building known as the Black Taj, however, across the Yamuna River in Shah Jahan’s Moonlight Garden, there are ruins of a reflecting pool. Recent archaeologists have reconstructed a mock pool and filled it with water, mimicking the effect that Shah Jahan would have seen. What they found is an exact mirror image of the Taj, only darker – the Black Taj. So the myth was that it was a building, but in reality the Black Taj is a beautiful reflection that Shah Jahan could enjoy – he did love symmetry.
52

dan brown wrote, on May 1st, 2008

	that was a cool report
53

dan brown wrote, on May 1st, 2008

	i learned alot of the taj mahal from this website thanks
54

JOHN DAVIS wrote, on May 7th, 2008

	Heard it is unlucky to keep a replica of taj mahal at home, is that a common myth?
55

The Landlord wrote, on May 7th, 2008

	Hey John, Never heard that one before. But it sounds interesting; i’d also be interested to know whether or not that’s a common myth.
56

JOHN DAVIS wrote, on May 7th, 2008

	Thanks, me too, have one at home , can’t say I have been unlucky except I never win a lotto
57

bob wrote, on Oct 30th, 2008

	imagine the repayments on that
58

Nireeksha D'Souza wrote, on Nov 12th, 2008

	I think that Taj Mahal is the most fantastic structure in the world.
59

AZEEZA wrote, on Nov 14th, 2008

	The Taj Mahal is the most amazing place. True love will always be
60

lol wrote, on Nov 18th, 2008

	thnx helped me a lot with my research…
61

lmho wrote, on Nov 20th, 2008

	thx this is really cool!!!! ~i would love to go there (:
62

noob wrote, on Jan 6th, 2009

	this’ll be great fo my report -noob
63

Taj Mahal- The Most Incredible Manmade Masterpiece | meSmarty wrote, on Jan 13th, 2009

	[...] http://www.propertyinvestmentproject.co.uk/blog/2007/04/11/the-taj-mahal-facts-and-myths/ Tags: entertainment, facts, Fun, inspiring facts, Manmade Masterpiece, Mughal Emperors, Queen Mumtaz, Shah jahan, Taj Mahal, Wonders [...]
64

Ally wrote, on Apr 25th, 2009

	I hope I can visit the taj Mahal one day thank you for this imformation
65

Jacob wrote, on May 24th, 2009

	thank you so much for making that report. it helped me sooo much in a report i had to do. i hope i can go see the taj mahal before i die or it gets destroyed.
66

mikaeel wrote, on Jun 3rd, 2009

	best monument
67

harsh berry wrote, on Jun 4th, 2009

	i’ve not seen anything so unique in my entire life.. its the best i’ve seen till to-date..
68

hanu wrote, on Jun 7th, 2009

	taj mahal had nothing to do with mughal or islamic architecture. the thief shahjan desicrated a vedic palace with islamic writing and stole the palace to say he built it . i would urge the readers of this post to go to the site” taj mahal was a hindu temple” and you will realise what has been kept under wraps all this time. shajan himself had many wifes.
69

Waheed-Ur -Rahman wrote, on Jun 22nd, 2009

	Taj is one of the most beautiful monumnet in this world.Shahjahan loves Mumtaz mahal more than anything love is everything. without love there is nothing. Love never dies it will be remains like TAJ MAHAL.
70

Alice wrote, on Jun 24th, 2009

	the one about cutting the hands of is cool as!! i think its true o_O
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