The Taj Mahal

THE TAJ MAHAL

The Taj Mahal is one of the most recognizable monuments of India. Protected by UNESCO as a site of World Heritage, the Taj Mahal represents a monument of true love. My summarization will give a short summary of the story that is behind this majestic building of Agra, India.

The love of Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan to his third wife Muftaz Mahal, according to the chroniclers, was thousand times greater than to any other. In order to commemorate the death of his beloved wife, Shah Jahan has decided to build something for his empire, which has been known for its forts. Therefore, he decided to build a complex of buildings, with a white domed mausoleum as its central part. Today, the mausoleum is a widely recognizable building, and one of the symbols of India.

Being a significant example of architectural example of its era, the Taj Mahal has been a major interest for the historians. Although the mausoleum is its central and most well known structure, the Taj Mahal complex consists of many more buildings. First of all, one of the largest parts of the complex is bazaar, which is in front of the gardens of where the mausoleum is located. At the end of the bazaar, there is an entrance to the gardens, which is called Paradise Gardens. One of the most important features of the garden is the Celestial Pool of Abundance, at the centre of the garden. At the end of the garden, stands the majestic mausoleum, which Shah Jahan promised on his wife’s deathbed. On the sides of the central structure, lies a mosque and a meeting house.

The most significant features of the interior of the Mausoleum are the calligraphy reliefs decorated by gemstones and semi-precious stones. Calligraphic inscriptions of ninety-nine names of the God decorate the tombs, whereas a “false” dome, which is decorated with a sun motif, covers the interior walls. An interesting fact about the tombs is that the bodies of Shah and his wife are not laid in them, as Muslim tradition forbids decorations of the tomb. Instead, they are buried beneath the inner chamber.

The Taj Mahal is a true monument of the eternal love, as its beauty continues to inspire generations after it was built.

Reference:
http://www.islamicart.com/library/empires/india/shahjahan.html