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TAJ MAHAL
The Taj Mahal was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan , reign 1628-1658 ,
grandson of Akbar in the memory of Queen Arjuman of Bano Begum ,
entitled Mumtaz Mahal .She was the niece of the Empress Nur Jahan and
granddaughter of Mirza Ghias Beg.”I”iti-“Mad-Ud-Daulah” Vazir of Emperor
Jehangir .She was born in 1593 & was married to Prince Khurram ( Shah
Jahan) in 1612 , she died in 1631 on birth of her 14th Child at
Burharpur , where she was temprorily buried . Six Months later , the
body was transferred to Agra and finally enshrined in the Crypt of the
main tomb. Shah Jahan who died in 1666 was also buried here .The Taj
Mahal is the Mousoleum of both Mumtaz mahal & shah Jahan. Originally
Styled as Pauza-i-Maunavara and Rauza -I-Mumtaz Mahal , gradually it
became famous as Taj Mahal and Taj Bibi Ka Rauza ( The Garden Tomb of
the Taj Queen ).
It is situated on the right bank of the river Jamuna at a point where it
takes a sharp turn and flows eastward.This location has the correct
orientation of the Adjunct Mosque , minimum thrust of water & above all
a large natural lake to provide it with a continous protective cover of
moisture .The river with 30 feet deep clean water is constituent of its
original design.
Originally the land where Taj Mahal is situated belonged to Rajput
Kawwachas of Ajmer and was annexed from them , in which Five Hundered
Hindu villages were destroyed with inhabitants being put to death. A
Shiva Temple also stood originally in its place , which was also
destroyed .The contruction began from the foundation . A network of
wells were laid in the substructure to support the huge building. Masons
, stone cutters , inlayers , carvers , painters , calligraphers ,dome
builders & other artisans were requisitioned from the whole of the
empire and from central Asia and Iran.While bricks of Internal Skeleton
were locally made , white marble from External surfaces was also
obtained from Makrana .Semi Precious stones for inlay ornamentation were
brought from distant regions of India , Ceylon & Afghanistan . It was
completed in 1648 in 17 years , at a cost of rupees four crores rupaiyas.
In all it covers an area of 500 bighas , as terrain gradually slopes
from south to north , towards the river it is laid out in decending
terraces. At the southern point is the four court with the main gate on
the fronts and tombs of Akbarabadi Begum and fatehpur begum, two other
queens of Shah Jehan on its southeast & South West Corners respectively
.On the terrace is the precious charbagh garden divides the four
quarters by four shallow canals with wide walkways and cypress avenues
on both sides .They are studded with foundation which are studded with
overhead water tanks situated in the adjoining bagh khan alam.
The main tomb is placed in the northern edge of this garden , to tower
it mejastically on this river. It integrated the Taj on the Blue Sky and
provided it with a beautiful natural background .which was contantly
changing from sunrise to midnight. The changing colours of the sky
decended softly on the white marble and it looked ever new watery every
moment. This newness is the secret of this beauty.
The main tomb is designed under the guidance of the emperor himself , it
marks the perfect moment of the evolution of the mughal tomb
architecture and only its composition is novel. Thus the minarets are
ditached and placed to face the chambered angle ( corners ) of the main
tomb.Its perfect proportions were evolved in the wooden models and
through it is such a gigantic building rising to 285 feet from the river
level with 187 feet width. Its geometrical symmetry is also very unique.
On its sides are red Sand Stone Mosque and Jama At Khana ,
architecturally for a contrast.
Though it has some wonderful specimen of Polychrome inlay art , in the
interior , on the dados , on the cenotaphs and on the marble Jhajhari (
Jail Screen ) around them and on the exterior of the spandrels of the
arches ,the ornaments is sparse and minimal and it does not play any
role in the total aesthetic effect on the building , which is wholly
architectural.
OTHER OUTLYING BUILDINGS
• WESTERN BUILDING - TAJ MAHAL MOSQUE ( OR RED SANDSTONE MOSQUE )
• OPPOSITE ( THE JAWAB ) whose primary purpose was architectural balance
(and which may have been used as a guesthouse during Mughal times). The
distinctions are that the jawab lacks a mihrab, a niche in a mosque's
wall facing Mecca, and the floors of the jawab have a geometric design,
while the mosque floor was laid out with the outlines of 569 prayer rugs
in black marble.
• JAL MAHAL
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