Taj Mahal is one of the popular heritage sites in India. It has also made itself into the new wonders of the world. Taj Mahal was among the seven wonders of the world. It is the only heritage site of India to be included in the wonders of the world. Taj Mahal is situated in Agra and it is not only the proud of Agra but of all over the world, if not of the world. Taj Mahal is actually a mausoleum.
Taj Mahal was built by great Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan, in the memory of loving wife, Mumtaz. There is a Mumtaz Mahal located inside the premises of Taj Mahal. It is one of the best built architecture of the Mughals.
The style is a combination of Turkish,Persian, Islamic and Indian architecture. It is also included among the UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 1983. There it ids cited as 'The Jewel of Muslim Art'. This masterpiece of the Mughals is admired universally. Taj Mahal is actually a mixture of structures which was completed in the year 1648. The main designer of Taj Mahal was Ustad Ahmad Lahari.
The construction work of Taj Mahal began right after the death of Mumtaz in 1631. The great Emperor, Shah Jahan was grief stricken with the death of his beloved wife, Mumtaz, who died while giving birth to her fourteenth child, Gauhara Begum. Mumtaz was his third wife. The building of the main mausoleum completed in th year 1648. The garden surrounding the mausoleum was completed after 5 years.
What attracts as soon as one stands in front of Taj Mahal is the marble tomb of white color which rests on a square shaped plinth. There is a symmetrical building along with an iwan, which is an arch shaped door on top of which is a large dome. The base of the structure is a huge multi chambered one. The base structure have chamfered edge and it is a cube. The main arches are extended on top of the roof. The cenotaphs of Mumtaz and Shah Jahan are located inside the main chamber of Taj Mahal. The graves are located on a lower level.
The exterior decor of Taj Mahal are remarkable masterpieces of Mughal architecture. The technique of stucco was used for decoration. The decorations of Taj Mahal are in abstract forms, calligraphy or in vegetative motifs.
The interior decor of Taj Mahal was based mainly on traditional elements. Inlay work is used to a large extent which is a common feature of Mughal architecture. The inlay work used in this structure was a lapidary of semiprecious and precious gemstones. The inner chamber is octagon shaped.
The garden surrounding the structure of Taj Mahal have raised paths which divide the 4 quarters into 16 flowerbeds. A water tank of marble is situated right at the center position of this garden. It is known as Hawd al-Kawthar. The river Yamuna is flowing beside Taj Mahal.
To know more about Heritage Sites in India, keep browsing allindiaportal.com
|
