Taj Mahal

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Spread in 42 acres of area and one of the seven wonders of the world, Taj Mahal India is an excellent architectural beauty which has been a compulsory destination to see Taj Mahal for any travelers during Agra tour. It can be stated in the praise of this monument that if a tourist has not visit Taj Mahal that means he/she has not completed the voyages of sightseeing. This is also considered as a world heritage site by UNESCO.

Taj Mahal History:- Built by a Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, Agra Taj Mahal is the memory of his dear wife and Queen Mumtaz. It is considered as an"elegy in marble" or some say an expression of a"dream." Taj Mahal (meaning Crown Palace) is a Mausoleum that houses the grave of Queen Mumtaz (real name was Arjumand Banu) at the lower chamber. Later, the grave of Shah Jahan was also added here. Indeed the Taj Mahal is synonymous with love and romance.

A very amazing but interesting fact about Taj Mahal is that- till foundation to completion, it took a period of twenty-two years, employing twenty thousand workers. Taj Mahal was completed in 1648 AD at a cost of 32 Million Rupees. The construction documents show that its chief architect was Ustad ‘Isa, the famous Islamic architect of his time. Expert craftsmen from Delhi, Qannauj, Lahore, and Multan along with many well-known Muslim craftsmen from Baghdad, Shiraz and Bukhara were employed and worked on many specific tasks.

The area of land where the Tajmahal is standed on a raised, square platform is 186 x 186 feet with its four corners truncated, forming an unequal octagon. The architectural design uses the interlocking arabesque concept, in which each element stands on its own and perfectly integrates with the main structure. It uses the principles of self-replicating geometry and symmetry of architectural elements. The central dome of the site is fifty-eight feet in diameter and rises to a height of 213 feet. It is flanked by four supplementary domed chambers. The four elegant, slender minarets are 162.5 feet each. The entire tomb (inside as well as outside) is decorated with inlaid design of flowers and calligraphy using precious gems such as agate and jasper. The central arched chamber and four adjacent chambers include many walls and panels of Islamic decoration.