Taj Mahal also spelled Tadj Mahall, mausoleum complex in Agra, western Uttar Pradesh state, northern India. Here is Taj Mahal Agra – History Facts Tickets, Prices, Timings, and Booking travel tips covering the best visiting hours, photography advice, more.
Taj Mahal was made by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan (reigned 1628–58) to immortalize his wife Mumtaz Mahal, who die in childbirth in 1631, having the emperor’s inseparable companion since their marriage in 1612. India’s most famous and widely recognize building, it is situate in the eastern part of the city on the southern (right) bank of the Yamuna (Jumna) River. Agra Fort (Red Fort), also on the right bank of the Yamuna, is about 1 mile (1.6 km) west of the Taj Mahal.
About
In its harmonious proportions and its fluid incorporation of decorative elements, the Taj Mahal is distinguish as the finest example of Mughal architecture, a blend of Indian, Persian, and Islamic styles. Other attractions include twin mosque buildings (placed symmetrically on either side of the mausoleum),
lovely gardens, and a museum. One of the most beautiful structural compositions in the world, the Taj Mahal is also one of the world’s most iconic monuments, visited by millions of tourists each year. The complex was designate a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983.
Famous as one of the wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal at Agra, India, is epitome of true love and passion. The Taj Mahal made by the famous Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his belove wife, Mumtaj Mahal. The architectural beauty and magnificence of the Taj Mahal has never surpass.
It is say to the most beautiful monument made by the Mughal rulers and represents the zenith of the Mughal architecture. made entirely out of white marbles, the beauty of the Taj Mahal is beyond description. The beauty of the Taj Mahal has been aptly summarizing by the famous English poet, Sir Edwin Arnold, as “Not a piece of architecture, as other buildings are, but the proud passions of an emperor’s love wrought in living stones.”
History of Taj Mahal
The main building was completed in eight years, but the whole complex was not completed until 1653. Soon after the construction was completed, Shah Jahan was overthrown by his son Aurangzeb and imprisoned in the Agra Fort. For the rest of his life, he could only gaze at his wondrous creation through a window. Shah Jahan died in 1666, after which his mortal remains were buried here alongside Mumtaz.
Over 20,000 people from all over Indian and Central Asia worked on this striking building. Specialists were brought from as far away as Europe who produced the beautiful marble screens and marble inlay (pietra dura) which is made of thousands of semi-precious stones. Taj Mahal was designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1983. It looks as pristine today as it was first constructed. The monument underwent a massive restoration project in the early 20th century.
What is the Taj Mahal?
Facts About Taj Mahal
Another story is of the famous Black Taj Mahal. Many people believe that Shah Jahan planned to build an alter image of the monument in black marble on its opposite side, the work for which began before he was imprison by his son Aurangzeb. Extensive excavations were carried out at Mehtab Bagh, but no traces were found of any such construction.
The famous legend related to the Taj Mahal is the mutilation of the craftsmen who constructed it. It is believed that on the completion of the construction, Taj Mahal history Shah Jahan ordered the hands of the project’s craftsmen to be chopped off so that no other building in the world could be this beautiful again. However, there is no historical evidence to support this theory.
Interesting Facts about Taj Mahal
- The construction of the Taj Mahal took around 22,000 painters, stonecutters, embroidery artists and laborers.
- Around 1,000 elephants Taj Mahal history were use to transport the materials to the construction site.
- Shah Jahan wants to build a black Taj Mahal which would stand across from the original one. However, before he could do so, he depose by his own son Aurangzeb.
- The minarets are leaning away from the monument in order to prevent any damage to it in the event of a collapse.
- It took 17 years to complete the building of the Taj Mahal.
- The Taj Mahal appears to change colors throughout the day. In the morning, it is milky white, in the afternoon, it looks like its ting with crimson while at night, it sparkles under the moonlight.
- Although most of the Taj Mahal is ornately decorate, the only part which is not is the tomb.
- Henry Saint Clair Fredericks, an American Grammy Award Winning Blues musician, was so enamor of the Taj Mahal that he names himself after it.
- The Taj Mahal seems to get smaller as you move towards it, and larger as you move away from it.
- During times of war, the Taj Mahal is hidden with a scaffolding so Taj Mahal travel tips as to prevent it from any attack. This done during World War 2, the 1971 India-Pakistan War and in the 9/11 attack.
What is the story behind Taj Mahal?
Who was the Taj Mahal construct for?
Construction of the Taj Mahal started in the year 1632. Around 22,000 masons, stonecutters, calligraphers and artisans, from all over India and Central Asia employe during the construction period of 22 years. The marble use for the building was source from various parts of India and around 1000 elements were employe for this purpose. A board of architects oversaw the design elements under imperial supervision. The main tomb took 10 years to build, and other ancillary buildings took another 12 years to complete.
Layout and architecture
Resting in the middle of a wide plinth 23 feet (7 metres) high, the mausoleum proper is of white marble that reflects hues according to the intensity of sunlight or moonlight. It has four nearly identical facades, Taj Mahal travel tips each with a wide central arch rising to 108 feet (33 metres) at its apex and chamfered (slante) corners incorporating smaller arches.
The majestic central dome, which reaches a height of 240 feet (73 metres) at the tip of its finial, is surround by four lesser domes. The acoustics inside the main dome cause the single note of a flute to reverberate five times. The interior of the mausoleum is organize around an octagonal marble chamber ornament with low-relief carvings and semiprecious stones (pietra dura).
Therein are the cenotaphs of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan. Those false tombs enclose by a finely wrought filigree marble screen. Beneath the tombs, at garden level, lie the true sarcophagi. Taj Mahal travel tips Standing gracefully apart from the central building, at each of the four corners of the square plinth, are elegant minarets.
Exterior of the Taj Mahal
The central focus of the complex is the Tomb structure. Made completely out of white marble, its beauty lies in the symmetry of its architecture. The structure is situate on a raise square plinth, also made of white marble, at a height of 50 m from the river level, at one end of the complex.
The tomb itself is situate at the center of the plinth, frame by four equidistant minarets. The Taj Mahal is a square structure with sides measuring 55 m. The minarets spread at distance of 41.75 m from tomb wall and have a height of 39.62 m. There is a bulbous central dome in the main building, 18.28 m in diameter and 73 m in height. The dome is elevate from the top of the building by a 7 m high cylindrical base. It is decorate at taj Mahal tickets its top by Taj Mahal history. Lotus motif and ends in a gilded finial top with the Islamic half-moon.
The spherical and grand aspect of the central dome. Is emphasize by incorporation of smaller domes on both sides in the form of chhatris. Aso capped in Taj Mahal history gilded finials. Each minaret is divide into three equal segments by two balconies and has an octagonal base. The delicate curve of the dome is emphasize by the tapering structure and slightly angular placement of the minarets. The entrance to the main tomb is frame by a huge arche vault. Or Iwan which in turn is again frame by two similar but smaller arches on each side.
These arches indicate stacked balconies along two different levels. This is call Taj Mahal Agra pishtaqs. Which is replicate on all the eight edges of the building affording. Taj Mahal facts it another dimension of symmetry.
Interior of the Taj Mahal
The interior of Taj mahal is dominate by a cavernous octagonal central chamber with eight smaller chambers radiating from it. The smaller chambers are level across two floors making a total of 16 such niches. The central chamber is the main funerary chamber housing the cenotaphs Taj Mahal facts of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan. The two ornate marble cenotaphs enclose within a marble screen and face the south. The actual taj Mahal tickets sarcophagi are house below the tomb is a relatively simple crypt.
When is the Taj Mahal close?
Best Time to Visit Taj Mahal
Entry Fee
There are different entry fees for domestic and international tourists. Foreign tourists have to pay taj Mahal tickets 1100 INR + 200 INR. There is an additional fee for visiting the mausoleum, taj Mahal tickets which is optional. Citizens of SAARC and BIMSTEC countries have to pay taj Mahal tickets 540 INR + 200 INR. There is a separate fee for those wanting to visit the memorial. Domestic tourists have to pay taj Mahal tickets 50 INR + 200 INR (for those wanting to visit the mausoleum).
What is the best gate to enter Taj Mahal?
