An
exquisite mausoleum built in between 1631-48 at Agra in the Uttar
Pradesh state of India, the Taj Mahal continues to draw millions of
tourists to its doorstep ever since its inception. It's renowned as a
token of love Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan got specially erected for his
beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Often also referred to as the 'Taj', the
edifice is a finest embodiment of Mughal architecture in India, though
it also contains elements of Persian, Turkish, Indian, and Islamic
architectural styles. The Taj Mahal at Agra built of dazzling white marble was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and was labeled as 'the jewel of Muslim art in India'. It is also one of the Seven Wonders of the World and the most important tourist attraction in India. The architectural complex of the Taj Mahal in India can be said to comprise of five prominent features - Darwaza (main entrance), Bageecha (garden), Masjid (mosque), Naqqar Khana (rest house) and the Rauza or the Taj Mahal mausoleum. The tomb of Mumtaz is inside the Taj.
As per historical records maintained in India on the Taj Mahal of Agra, a labor force of around 20,000 was recruited for the construction of this gigantic, yet delicate looking monument. And it took around 22 years to build. Sculptors were appointed from Bukhara, calligraphers from Syria and Persia, inlayers from south India and so on to create a 37 member creative team. The material for construction was imported from all over India and central Asia.
In Agra, the Taj Mahal is situated on the right bank of the river Yamuna and the land on which it stands actually belonged to the Kachhwahas of Ajmer in the neighboring Rajasthan state. It was acquired for building the Taj in exchange of four palaces. The flawless white marble of the Taj takes on subtle variations of light, tint and tone at different times of the day. The Taj looks breathtakingly soft and dreamy at dawn and sparkling white during noon. In moonlight, the Taj dome looks like a huge shimmering pearl. So planning your Taj Mahal tour?