In the city of Agra in northern India lies the mausoleum (tomb) complex known as
the Taj Mahal. Made out of white marble and decorated with gemstones. The Taj Mahal
was built by a ruler named
Shah Jahan (Khurram). Who was the Muslim ruler of India's Mughal Empire
from 1628 to 1658.
Before it became the name of one of the world's most beautiful buildings, Taj Mahal
was the name of a woman. She was Arjumand Banu Begum (begum is a title for a Muslim
woman of high social rank), the 3
rd and favorite wife of Shah Jahan,
He affectionately called her Mumtaz Mahal, meaning "ornament of the palace." The
name Taj Mahal came from this term of endearment and was given to the mausoleum
he built for her.
Mumtaz Mahal died
when she was just 39 years old (17 June 1631) while giving birth to their 14th child
(Gauharar) in Burhanpur.
The builders
The construction of the Taj Mahal took 22 years, from 1632 to 1654. More than 20,000
workers from India, Persia, and other countries labored daily to complete this project.
Over 1,000 elephants were used to transport building materials during the construction.
Credit for the final plan is usually given to Ustad Isa, who was either Turkish
or Persian. But there is some uncertainty about who really drew the plans. It may
have been a Turkish architect, Isa Muhammad Effendi, a pupil of the greatest Turkish
architect of his time, Sinan. Or it could have been a Venetian named Geronimo Veroneo.
Much of the decoration, apart from geometrical designs, consists of verses from
the Koran written in fine calligraphy in marble. It is believed that Amanat Khan
Shirazi from Persia was in charge of the calligraphy.
The building
The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum, a burial place. Shah Jahan and his wife were married
in 1612, and she was his inseparable companion until her death in childbirth in
1631. His grief led him to design and construct as magnificent a building as possible
for her final resting place. Later Shah Jahan also was buried there.
The main building is the mausoleum, which is located at the edge of the property
on the bank of the Yamuna (or Jumna) River. The mausoleum is set within a large
complex of gardens and other buildings, enclosed within a high red sandstone wall
with octagonal turrets at the corners.
Pure white marble covers the exterior of the building. The marble produces a stunning
appearance that changes dramatically as the light changes. Inside the building is
an eight-sided room with monuments to Jahan and his wife.
The Taj Majal stands on a square marble base 312 feet (95 meters) per side and 23
feet (7 meters) high. The building is a square of 186 feet (57 meters) per side
with grooved corners and a massive arch in each face, rising to a height of 108
feet (33 meters). Atop the entire building is a large, onion-shaped dome. It is
supported on a tall drum, and the top stands 243 feet (74 meters) above garden level.
There are parapets over each arch. At each corner of the base stands a three-story
minaret or the narrow tower, about 138 feet (42 meters) tall.
Total Cost involved
Estimates of the cost of construction vary due to difficulties in estimating costs
across time. A rough indication of the cost of the construction of the Taj Mahal
can be gained by comparing the price of gold at the time of building and the price
of gold now. The total cost has been estimated to be about 32 million Rupees at
that time.
Environmental issues
The Taj Mahal has been affected by pollution from nearby factories as well as from
motor vehicles. However, steps are being taken to prevent further damage to the
site. Some factories have been closed, and vehicle traffic has been limited around
the complex. In 1998 a research and restoration program was started in order to
protect this important landmark.