The Taj Mahal- Facts And Myths

You are here: Property Blog » Architecture/Design » The Taj Mahal- Facts And Myths
This article was written on 11 Apr 2007

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

      Attention! If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed so you're notified of all new blog entries.

      << / Previous Article

      >> / Next Article

      Extra / Related Posts

      Talk / 64 Comments

      ROMA wrote this on 2007-06-01 05:13:27 ITS A WONDERFUL SITE.I GOT TO KNOW SO MUCH ABOUT ONE OF MY FAVOURITE MONUMENTS MAHAL".A MASTERPIECE THAT DEFINES LOVE. 1
      ROMA wrote this on 2007-06-01 05:16:33 ITS A WONDERFUL SITE.I GOT TO KNOW SO MUCH ABOUT ONE OF MY FAVOURITE MONUMENTS TAJ MAHAL".A MASTERPIECE THAT DEFINES LOVE. 2
      DR. VIJAY BABAR wrote this on 2007-06-08 10:35:33 Taj Mahal monument is one of the great Ajuba in the world. It is really a magic that one cannot imagine. 3
      DR. VIJAY BABAR wrote this on 2007-06-08 10:36:47 Taj Mahal monument is one of the great Ajuba in the world. It is really a magic that one cannot imagine. It is a symbol of love. 4
      Kevin O'Donnel wrote this on 2007-06-22 19:01:38 The Taj Mahal is the ultimate symbol of love.Nobody could have ever imagined building such a spectacular monument esp. for a DEAD wife........ 5
      Kamlesh Shah wrote this on 2007-06-28 13:46:41 Taj Mahal was a Shiva temple before Shah Jahan snatched it. All the subsequent generations were brain-washed to believe what it is today. The idea of the was that, if you change the past, you can control the future. 6
      Kelly wrote this on 2007-06-29 07:05:30 the ultimate symbol of love is the cross. For God so loved the world that He gave His only son that whosoever believe in Him shall have everlasting life. the Taj is an exquisite piece of unequalled craftsmanship...and self indulgence 7
      unknown wrote this on 2007-07-03 10:21:39 I WANT TO SEE THE TAJ MAHAL SOMEDAY!!! IT'S VERY BEAUTIFUL IN THE PICTURES... 8
      Jess wrote this on 2007-07-04 09:54:17 It looks beautiful, I'll have to go see it some day.

      and kelly you are perfectly entitled to beleive "the ultimate smbol of love is the cross" - but I'm afraid others would disagree, and when people commented that the building was a wonderful symbol of love as a result of its inspiration, I don't think people were trying to get into a theological debate.

      you believe in god, others don't, its STILL a beautiful building with a touching story of inspiration. 9
      The Landlord wrote this on 2007-07-04 18:45:09 Well said, Jess :) 10
      JOTHISH wrote this on 2007-07-06 10:46:47 The Taj Mahal is a great symbol of love and passion. No doubt about it. 11
      Daljit Thind wrote this on 2007-07-07 04:03:01 I've seen the Taj few months ago. Its a beauty of love. Am glad and honoured, I have seen for real. Despite time, love remains and todate being viewed by people around world and being remembered. 12
      nazia wrote this on 2007-07-07 04:39:43 taj mahal- the crown of love is simply a wonder in the history of mankind. 13
      shah wrote this on 2007-07-08 04:24:40 i dont think it should be considered as oen of 7 wonders of the world. All dhoti voting made this happen 14
      george wrote this on 2007-07-08 04:27:27 Ya true! Almost all the Indians might have voted. Seeing their population, of course, it will secure many votes. It is not fair. 15
      Sk wrote this on 2007-07-14 02:33:14 I'm very happy to seeing TAJ MAHAL as one of 7 wonders becuz people voted by lookin' @ the beauty of this masterpiece and the voting was not only from india it was from all over the world. So thanx to the people who voted and hope others see the true meaning of this great, beautiful monument. 16
      Ammar Anas wrote this on 2007-07-25 06:57:03 Better would be if Taj is seen as an emotional dedicatin of a king. It is mounment beyond human description. The most important is the vision of Sahjahan who conceptualized such a grand moment. Of course the king would have thought some more modification. How grand whould be that vision ! 17
      Payal wrote this on 2007-10-21 10:39:21 i am doing a project on The Taj and i have found heaps of info on this site! i love the taj mahal it is really pretty even though i havent been there...i know by pictuers and all! ;) 18
      yasin mulla wrote this on 2007-12-06 13:20:03 i thin the taj mahal is beautiful,someday i will go to see the taj and would like to stay for a whole day to truly experience the taj mahal and its beauty 19
      TajReporter wrote this on 2007-12-06 19:11:13 I got assigned the Taj Mahal for a research project, and i just found a TON of information! i'm giving u a ton of credit! 20
      mona wrote this on 2008-01-05 20:56:46 I think Taj Mahal is one of the greatest monuments i wish one of those days i will be able to visit it 21
      suresh wrote this on 2008-01-13 19:14:35 dont just dreamed --be practical the world is so small than you imagine........ 22
      katie pogson wrote this on 2008-02-03 14:47:22 i would love to see it too 23
      Princess Antonia Mignorette wrote this on 2008-02-25 18:54:07 Amazing! Wonderful! Spendid! 24
      Ben wrote this on 2008-03-01 23:03:54 Thanks this will help me to get facts for my report. 25
      Simran wrote this on 2008-03-06 00:22:47 I hope one day i egt to go visit the taj mahal and also i've never been to india i am doing a project in gr.5 that we have to make a myth about our culture and where our parents came to it would be a great pleasure if you could help me out.:) 26
      J wrote this on 2008-03-15 23:33:22 Expect to pay thirty times the amount an Indian pays to get in to the Taj.
      You will not be allowed to take in a basic calculator.
      Expect to be treated badly by the security staff if you are non-Indian.
      Do not take valuables with you.
      The city of Agra is very poor.
      Do not wander about it at night.
      It can be very dangerous.
      The view from the Agra Fort to the Taj is best at sunset. 27
      Billy Blog wrote this on 2008-03-15 23:55:28 Expect to pay thirty times that of an Indian for admission fee.
      Leave all valuables behind including calculators.
      Expect to be treated badly by the security staff who seem to dislike Europeans.
      The Taj is best seen from the Agra Fort.
      Agra is dangerous at night.
      Do not walk alone. 28
      luc wrote this on 2008-03-22 03:53:06 it is a love symbolof th emperor 29
      History teacher wrote this on 2008-04-08 01:57:27 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. 30
      dan brown wrote this on 2008-05-01 17:35:08 that was a cool report 31
      dan brown wrote this on 2008-05-01 17:36:43 i learned alot of the taj mahal from this website



      thanks 32
      JOHN DAVIS wrote this on 2008-05-07 21:23:16 Heard it is unlucky to keep a replica of taj mahal at home, is that a common myth? 33
      The Landlord wrote this on 2008-05-07 21:24:50 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. 34
      JOHN DAVIS wrote this on 2008-05-07 21:29:11 Thanks, me too, have one at home , can't say I have been unlucky except I never win a lotto 35
      bob wrote this on 2008-10-30 00:12:03 imagine the repayments on that 36
      Nireeksha D'Souza wrote this on 2008-11-12 14:58:29 I think that Taj Mahal is the most fantastic structure in the world. 37
      AZEEZA wrote this on 2008-11-14 09:42:18 The Taj Mahal is the most amazing place. True love will always be 38
      lol wrote this on 2008-11-18 16:42:57 thnx helped me a lot with my research... 39
      lmho wrote this on 2008-11-20 00:48:41 thx this is really cool!!!! ~i would love to go there (: 40
      noob wrote this on 2009-01-06 15:19:29 this'll be great fo my report

      -noob 41
      Ally wrote this on 2009-04-25 23:21:51 I hope I can visit the taj Mahal one day thank you for this imformation 42
      Jacob wrote this on 2009-05-24 14:33:35 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. 43
      mikaeel wrote this on 2009-06-03 08:29:39 best monument 44
      harsh berry wrote this on 2009-06-04 08:26:26 i've not seen anything so unique in my entire life.. its the best i've seen till to-date.. 45
      hanu wrote this on 2009-06-07 22:56:05 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. 46
      Waheed-Ur -Rahman wrote this on 2009-06-22 15:37:23 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. 47
      Alice wrote this on 2009-06-24 10:25:29 the one about cutting the hands of is cool as!! i think its true o_O 48
      unknown wrote this on 2009-08-01 13:26:03 i think in the previous days, kings were used to describe themselves as the best and also presenting their matters in the history for the people to remember them.so would have represented the taj as the tomb and used it for mumtaz's burial because the history says that it was manufactured before 300years of sahanjahan's reign. 49
      Raju.S wrote this on 2009-09-02 05:30:37 ooh ooh uh uh yes yes it is really a great monument but do anybody know that it is the great Shiva temple you know, shah jahan didn't built it for his beloved wife but he captured and renovated the temple. In ancient times it was know as "tejo mahalaya" means it was one of the "12 jyothir linga" which is "tejo linga". If you visit the so called "taj mahal"? you go to first floor you have to remove your foot-wears because that is the place where shah jahan replaced the shiva linga from ground floor to first floor. So, now you got the idea what's exactly the story behind the so called "Taj Mahal"you can see the rooms have been locked and it is kept as a deadly secret to the whole world and even the maintenance guy's working their have seen the shiva linga ok So, now got you got the idea THE FACT 50
      SURAJ wrote this on 2009-10-05 21:46:25 TAJ MAHAL WAS IRRIGATED BY INNOCENT PEOPLE BLOOD .IT WAS BUILD BY A MAD KING WHO THINK ONLY FOR HIS WIFE ;FOR ME TAJ MAHAL IS WORLD BIGGEST CIMETRY OF SELFISH PEOPLE 51
      a tajmahal freak wrote this on 2009-10-17 19:20:25 wow the taj mahal is wonderful it has so many fun and exiting for everyone to enjoy and it does not matter how old you are i would be devensated if someone would tear it down! 52
      zay zay wrote this on 2009-10-17 19:22:30 wow i loveeeeeeee absoulutley love it omg i hate anyone who dislikes the taj mahal 53
      Shen wrote this on 2009-10-19 20:26:48 I went to ee the Taj Mahal a couple of years again and its one of the most romantic places in the world. 54
      WhatIsManOnEarth4 wrote this on 2009-11-04 23:18:59 Just to make my point to you shri P.N.O Taj Mahal as it is today is remarkable, you are entitled to make your point as am I, you can shove your write up where the sun don't shine, cos you are a bitter and twisted person to come out with all the garbage you have written about Taj Mahal, first of all of course there must have been some building or another on the site where the Beautiful Taj Mahal sits, couldn't give a rats ars3 what it was before, secondly, so what if it was a temple before and why are the other 4 temples not as outstanding to this day as the Taj Mahal? Cos other temples didn't have Shah Jahans stamp on them. Thirdly, the Indians pronounce "Z" with the replaced "J". Fourth, why should Shah Jahan have wasted money building from scratch? Shah Jahan was obviously a incredibly articulate to have made the most of what there was and upgraded to what has been stamped as his own ingenious end result. What a wasted write up, so bag it and let people enjoy Taj without your bitter attitude ok???!!!!!!! 55
      darshit patel wrote this on 2009-12-30 00:21:56 i love taj mahal and i love sahjaha and mumtajmahal's love story.really i love both............... 56
      farmer wrote this on 2010-01-03 05:22:33 I was at the taj mahal 10 years ago - I have enjoyed reading all the comments (except the bible bashing one) -it goes to prove what an impression the taj has made. To me it was just another extravagance that people in power have indulged themselves for no practical purpose. Today it does serve to bring this very poor community some tourist income as does the other "wonder of the world". 57
      sophie wrote this on 2010-01-07 16:21:19 thanks this is going to help with my homework alot. 58
      Ikay wrote this on 2010-01-15 10:28:27 Its an amazing place! 59
      Rohan Kohli wrote this on 2010-01-18 21:31:14 its an amazing place to go and visit. only problem is that the marble has stains and imperfections on it regarding the outside wall due to all its visitors. should protect that better. 60
      Abida wrote this on 2010-01-26 21:02:27 I like this website because it tellls you about the taj mahal in india and it tells you about the myths in taj mahal 61
      chese has money wrote this on 2010-01-31 00:28:30 the taj mahal is the best work of art EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 62
      someone wrote this on 2010-02-04 18:50:43 this helped me sooooooooooooooooooooooo much!
      but loads of spelling mistakes soz 63
      Meeeeeee!!! wrote this on 2010-02-06 15:33:11 This is the most useful site that I have found on the Taj Mahal! There is a lot of stuff on the internet that is a load of rubbish! 64

      Please leave a comment