Taj Mahal History

Taj Mahal is one of the world's most celebrated structures and a stunning symbol of India's rich history. Shan Jahan built the Taj Mahal on the bank of the river Yamuna, in the city Agra of north Indian state Uttar Pradesh. Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan got this monument constructed in the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal.

Shah Jahan, initially named Prince Khurram, was born in the year 1592. He was the son of Jehangir, the fourth Mughal emperor of India and the grandson of Akbar the Great. On the other hand Mumtaz was a Muslim Persian princess (before marriage her name was Arjumand Banu Begum). Shah Jahan met Mumtaz at the age of 14 and fell in love with her. They got married after Five years in 1612. Mumtaz died at age thirty-nine while giving birth to their fourteenth (some say thirteenth) child in 1631. The ruler went into deep mourning and much of his empire was compelled to do the same. The Taj Mahal construction was started in 1632 and completed at end of 1648. It was designed by Ustad Ahmed Lahauri and was completed in 22 years by the hard labor of 20000 crafts men and at a cost of 32 million rupees. The Taj Mahal built on white marble, it’s a fusion of Mughal, Persian and Islamic architecture style. The entire architectural complex mainly consists of Darwaja or gateway, garden, Masjid or mosque, mausoleum. The Taj Mahal is set on a raised platform that is 6.6 meters (20 ft) high and covers an area of 93.9 sq. meters (313 sq ft). The corner minarets are 41.1 meters (137 ft) high. The main structure is 62 meters (186 ft) on each side. In contrast to the gleaming white marble of the mausoleum, there is a pair of red sandstone buildings flanking the tomb to the west and to the east; the western building is a mosque, while the other, sometimes called the guest house or museum.

There is a garden in Taj Mahal complex. Taj gardens were designed by Ali Mardan Khan, one of the nobles of Shah Jahan's court. These were laid out by Persian garden plan style. The gardens alone consists an area of 300m by 300m. The fountains and running water channels are supplied with water from a set of reservoirs which are atop the rooms in the garden walls. There is a museum situated left to the central chamber and houses several portraits of Mughal emperors, paintings, royal ornaments and two marble pillars which are believed to have once been part of the Agra Fort. The Taj Mahal is one of the seven wonders of the world and listed as a world heritage monument by UNESCO. Every year Taj Mahal attracts around 3-4 million tourists with a huge number of International Tourists. Taj Mahal is closed on Friday for public except for those who go for afternoon prayer. It will remain open from 6 am to 7 pm every day except Friday.