HISTORY OF TAJ MAHAL
Famous As: 7th Wonder of the world
Taj Mahal Was Built By: Mughal Emperor Shahjahan
Built In The Memory Of: Mumtaz Mahal
Lovers die, but love shall not and death shall have no
dominion…
For
centuries, the Taj Mahal has inspired poets, painters and musicians to try
and capture its elusive magic in word, colour and song. It is one of the
most flawless architectural creations of the world. Since the 17th
century, travellers have crossed continents to come and see this ultimate
memorial to love, and few have been unmoved by its incomparable beauty.
Taj Mahal stands in the city of Agra, in the northern Indian state of
Uttar Pradesh, on the banks of the Yamuna River. It was built in the
memory of the beautiful Arjumand Bano Begum, who won the heart of a Mughal
prince. She was married at 21 to Emperor Jahangir’s third son Prince
Khurram and stayed loyally by his side through good times and bad: in the
luxurious royal palaces of Agra as well as the transient tents of war
camps.
In AD 1628, Khurram became king after a bloody battle of succession: he
took the name Shahjahan or “King of the World” and showered his
beloved begum with the highest titles. She became Mumtaz Mahal, the
exalted of the palace and Mumtaz-ul-Zamani, the exalted of the Age. But
Mumtaz Mahal was not destined to be queen for long.
In 1631, Shahjahan went on an expedition to the south and, as always,
Mumtaz Mahal accompanied him. But she died in childbirth at Burhanpur. She
had borne Shahjahan fourteen children, of whom four sons and three
daughters survived. When Mumtaz Mahal died, she was just 39 years old.
Shahjahan was inconsolable and contemporary chronicles tell of the royal
court mourning for two years. there was no music, no feasting, and no
celebration of any kind.
Epitome Of Love -Taj Mahal
Shahjahan, who was a passionate builder, now decided to erect a memorial
to his queen in pristine marble that the world would never forget. The
site selected for the tomb was 
a
garden by the Yamuna river, unshadowed by any other structure. The garden
had been laid by Raja Man Singh of Amber and now belonged to his grndson,
Raja Jai Singh. By a royal firman, Shahjahan gave Jai Singh four havelis
in exchange for the garden. The site was also chosen because it was
located on a bend in the river, and so could be seen from Shahjahan’s
personal palace in Agra Fort, further upstream.
Construction Of The Mausoleum - Taj Mahal
Work on the mausoleum began in 1633 and 20,000 workers laboured for 17
years to build it. The most skilled architects, inlay craftsmen,
calligraphers, stone-carvers and masons came from all across Indian and
lands as distant as Persia and Turkey. The master mason was from Baghdab,
an expert in building the double dome from Persia, and an inlay specialist
from Delhi. Yemen sent agates, the corals came from Arabia, the garnets
from Bundelkhand, onyx and amethyst from Persia. Mumtaz Mahal’s final
resting-place was ornamented like a queen’s jewel-box.
Wonder of the World
To people the world over, the Taj Mahal, mausoleum of Mughal Emperor shah
Jana's chief wife, Mumtaz Mahal, is synonymous with India. Its curving,
gently swelling dome and the square base upon which its rests so lightly
is a familiar image from hundreds of brochures and travel books. The Taj
is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular buildings of the world.
Renowned for its architectural magnificence and aesthetic beauty, it
counts among man's proudest creations and is invariably included in the
list of the world's foremost wonders. As a tomb, it has no match upon
earth, for mortal remains have never been housed in greater grandeur.
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