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Seven Wonders of the World: Taj Mahal



Seven Wonders of the World:
Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal is a mausoleum located in Agra, India, that was built under Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal is considered the finest example of Mughal architecture, a style that combines elements from Persian, Turkish, Indian, and Islamic architectural styles. In 1983, the Taj Mahal became a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was cited as “the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world’s heritage.”

While the white domed marble and tile mausoleum is most familiar, Taj Mahal is an integrated symmetric complex of structures that was completed around 1648. Ustad Ahmad Lahauri is generally considered to be the principal designer of the Taj Mahal.



History

By the late 19th century, parts of the Taj Mahal had fallen badly into disrepair. During the time of the Indian rebellion of 1857, the Taj Mahal was defaced by British soldiers and government officials, who chiseled out precious stones and lapis lazuli from its walls. At the end of 19th century British viceroy Lord Curzon ordered a massive restoration project, which was completed in 1908. He also commissioned the large lamp in the interior chamber, modeled after one in a Cairo mosque. During this time the garden was remodeled with British-looking lawns that are visible today.

In 1942, the government erected a scaffolding in anticipation of an air attack by German Luftwaffe and later by Japanese Air Force. During the India-Pakistan wars of 1965 and 1971, scaffoldings were again erected to mislead bomber pilots. Its recent threats have come from environmental pollution on the banks of Yamuna River including acid rain due to the Mathura oil refinery, which was opposed by Supreme Court of India directives. In 1983, the Taj Mahal was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.



The Garden

The complex is set around a large 300-meter square charbagh, a Mughal garden. The garden uses raised pathways that divide each of the four quarters of the garden into 16 sunken parterres or flowerbeds. A raised marble water tank at the center of the garden, halfway between the tomb and gateway, with a reflecting pool on North-South axis reflects the image of the Taj Mahal. Elsewhere, the garden is laid out with avenues of trees and fountains. The raised marble water tank is called al Hawd al-Kawthar, in reference to “Tank of Abundance”. The charbagh garden, a design inspired by Persian gardens, was introduced to India by the first Mughal emperor Babur. It symbolizes four flowing rivers of Paradise and reflects the gardens of Paradise derived from the Persian paridaeza, meaning ‘walled garden’. In mystic Islamic texts of Mughal period, paradise is described as an ideal garden of abundance with four rivers flowing from a central spring or mountain, separating the garden into north, west, south and east.



Tourism

The Taj Mahal attracts from 2 to 4 million visitors annually, with more than 200,000 from overseas. Most tourists visit in the cooler months of October, November, and February. Polluting traffic is not allowed near the complex and tourists must either walk from car parks or catch an electric bus. The Khawasspuras (northern courtyards) are currently being restored for use as a new visitor centre. The small town to the south of the Taj, known as Taj Ganji or Mumtazabad, originally was constructed with caravanserais, bazaars and markets to serve the needs of visitors and workmen. Lists of recommended travel destinations often feature the Taj Mahal, which also appears in several listings of seven wonders of the modern world, including the recently announced New Seven Wonders of the World, a recent poll with 100 million votes.

Reference/Image Credits:

Wikipedia

1. Rebekahcoolbeans

2. Wikimedia

3. Taj-Mahal

4. Taj-Mahal

lucyinthesky
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lucyinthesky said:

I love the panoramic shots, May! Great lesson!

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  • Posted 2 months ago.
lucyinthesky
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lucyinthesky said:

I believe legend has it that there was supposed to be a black version of this opposite to the Taj Mahal…can you imagine if there were two of these? That would have been amazing!

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  • Posted about 1 month ago.
MayMay
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MayMay said in response to:
lucyinthesky
lucyinthesky’s post:
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I believe legend has it that there was supposed to be a black version of this opposite to the Taj Mahal…can you imagine if there were two of these? That would have been amazing!

You’re right, Tiffany!

In fact, it is said that this monument was supposed to be Shah Jahan’s tomb. Legend has it that the Black Taj Mahal would be located on the opposite bank of the River Yamuna, facing the Taj Mahal. However, the myth of black Taj, like all other myths does not have any strong proof to support it.

Historians believe that Shah Jahan had decided to construct this black Taj Mahal as his own tomb. The plan however was interrupted as Aurangzeb (his son) imprisoned Shah Jahan. Aurangzeb was not too keen on completing it afterwards.

That’s the story as I know it.

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lucyinthesky
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lucyinthesky said in response to:
MayMay
MayMay’s post:
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You’re right, Tiffany!

In fact, it is said that this monument was supposed to be Shah Jahan’s tomb. Legend has it that the Black Taj Mahal would be located on the opposite bank of the River Yamuna, facing the Taj Mahal. However, the myth of black Taj, like all other myths does not have any strong proof to support it.

Historians believe that Shah Jahan had decided to construct this black Taj Mahal as his own tomb. The plan however was interrupted as Aurangzeb (his son) imprisoned Shah Jahan. Aurangzeb was not too keen on completing it afterwards.

That’s the story as I know it.

That would have been so amazing…can you imagine two of these? I think what gives the Taj Mahal is beauty (other than the fact that it’s so elaborate) is that it is also very symmetrical.

I think that the Black Taj Mahal was more of a myth than what actually happened – but it sounds like a beautiful story. Two tombs of a husband and a wife, across from each other in majestic mausoleums. Do you know if there is an actual tomb in there somewhere?

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MayMay
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MayMay said in response to:
lucyinthesky
lucyinthesky’s post:
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That would have been so amazing…can you imagine two of these? I think what gives the Taj Mahal is beauty (other than the fact that it’s so elaborate) is that it is also very symmetrical.

I think that the Black Taj Mahal was more of a myth than what actually happened – but it sounds like a beautiful story. Two tombs of a husband and a wife, across from each other in majestic mausoleums. Do you know if there is an actual tomb in there somewhere?

I think it would have been a real standing masterpiece of Ying and Yang. The Taj Mahal is really a work of art! I’d really like to see it for myself someday.

You bring up a good question! – I’m not sure where Jahan’s tomb is in the present day. I should look into that story.

In the meantime, have a look at the other structures Jahan was associated with:


Red Fort


Alamgiri Gate

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lucyinthesky
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lucyinthesky said:

Awesome! Thanks May!

Ah, I found the tombs – both the husband and wife are laid side by side inside the Taj Mahal:

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MayMay
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MayMay said in response to:
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Awesome! Thanks May!

Ah, I found the tombs – both the husband and wife are laid side by side inside the Taj Mahal:

Haha. Thanks Tiffany!

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binaljavia
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binaljavia said:

The position of these tombs happens to be the only asymmetric thing about the Taj. The Queen’s tomb is exactly at the center of the Taj while the King’s tomb is on one of its side. Shahjahan built the Taj as the final resting place for his Queen. Legend has it, Shahjahan wanted to build the Black Taj , across the river Yamuna, as his own final resting place (and also for symmetry). The two Tajs would have then been connected through a bridge, where the souls of the King and the Queen would meet on every full moon night. Romantic !! isn’t it?

Unfortunately the King died before realizing his dream and his body was buried besides the Queen’s with the help of their daughter.

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binaljavia
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binaljavia said:

Demolition of Taj Mahal ???!!!!

Demolition of Taj Mahal myth has been spreading since the rule of the British in India. It has often been said that the British Governor of India, Lord William Bentinck, had planned to demolish the Taj Mahal. Later on, the marble used in its construction was to be taken out and auctioned off. Legend of Taj Demolition further goes on to state that even the crew for the demolition was ready to perform its task.

However, the plan got abandoned midway, because Bentinck could not make the scheme financially viable. However, the biographer of Bentinck, John Rosselli, has said that this story was made up because Bentick organized for the selling of the discarded marble from Agra Fort. But, the question of “Did British plan to demolish the Taj Mahal” hasn’t been answered in a satisfactory manner, till date.

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MayMay
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MayMay said in response to:
binaljavia
binaljavia’s post:
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Demolition of Taj Mahal ???!!!!

Demolition of Taj Mahal myth has been spreading since the rule of the British in India. It has often been said that the British Governor of India, Lord William Bentinck, had planned to demolish the Taj Mahal. Later on, the marble used in its construction was to be taken out and auctioned off. Legend of Taj Demolition further goes on to state that even the crew for the demolition was ready to perform its task.

However, the plan got abandoned midway, because Bentinck could not make the scheme financially viable. However, the biographer of Bentinck, John Rosselli, has said that this story was made up because Bentick organized for the selling of the discarded marble from Agra Fort. But, the question of “Did British plan to demolish the Taj Mahal” hasn’t been answered in a satisfactory manner, till date.

Wow Binaljavia,

Thanks for providing more information on the Taj Mahal!

It adds so much value when others contribute!

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glsadecu
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glsadecu said:

If you haven’t visited the Taj Mahal, be prepared for an intense emotional response. I was there in November 2008 and the sight brought tears to my eyes. Absolutely breathtakingly beautiful. Gloria

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  • Posted 26 days ago.
MayMay
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MayMay said in response to:
glsadecu
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If you haven’t visited the Taj Mahal, be prepared for an intense emotional response. I was there in November 2008 and the sight brought tears to my eyes. Absolutely breathtakingly beautiful. Gloria

Hi Gloria,

I’ve never visited the Taj Mahal, but it is definitely something I’d like to see.

Can you tell us more about your trip? I’d love to hear your stories!

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swadhina
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swadhina said:

Great work !

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suruva-mahesh
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suruva-mahesh said:

give me total picture it is very nice

thanking you

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