Taj Mahal of India

The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum located in Agra, India. It is one of the most recognizable structures in the world. It was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal.

Taj Mahal is considered to be the finest example of Mughal architecture, a style that combines elements from Persian, Islamic and Indian architectural styles.

TheEntrance

Shah Jahan travelled from the fort to the tomb by boat. Court histories describes his arrival on the riverside of the monument and his ascent to its terrace by the way of the embankment. This approach, however, was reserved for the emperor and members of his party. Others passed through a large courtyard, a jilokhana to enter to the main gateway on the south. This courtyard was a place where travellers halted. Here, also, the poor were provided with food and shelter, and on every death anniversary of Mumtaz, vast sums were distributed in charity.

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The tomb

The Tai Mahal is situated more than 900 ft. (275 m) away from the entrance at the opposite end of the garden. Towering almost 200 ft. (76m) in height, the tomb stands on its own marble plinth, which rests on a red sandstone platform that serves to the level the land as it slopes to the river. Four tall minarets rise up from the corners of the white marble plinth. Thye taper to a majestic height of 138 ft and are crowned with eight windowed cupolas.

The marble mausoleum is square in plan with chamfered corners. Each facade of the tomb is composed of a grand iwan framed by bands of calligraphy. The doorways inside these iwans are also adorned with calligraphy. The iwan is flanked on both sides by small double arches one over the other. They are rectangualr while the arched alcoves of equal size at the angles of the tomb are semi-octagonal. Each

section in the facade is well demarked on both sides by attached pilasters which rising from the plinth level of the tomb rise above the frieze and are crowned by beautiful pinnacles with lotus buds and finials. The pinnacles ornament the superstructure and help along with the other features to break the skyline gracefully.

The Garden

A green carpet of garden, a Persian garden, runs from the main gateway to thefoot of the taj Mahal. Such gardens were introduced to India by Babur, the first Mughal emperor, who also brought with him the Persian infatuation with flowers and fruit, birds and leaves, symmetry and delicacy. The Persian Garden was artificially contrived, unbashedly manmade, based on geometric arrangements of nature without any attempt at a “natural”look.

The Mosque

On either side of the Taj Mahal are buildings of red sandstone. The one to the west is the Mosque. It faces towards the Mecca and is used for prayer. The greenery shaded structure, measuring 19ft.by 6.5 ft.marks the site where the remains of Mumtaz Mahal were deposited when first brought to Agra. From this temporary grave they were removed to their present place of internment in the mausoleum.

Another World's Wonder which became famous throughout the whole world. The Taj Mahal of India.

Resources: www.taj-mahal-india-travel.com

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