Situated on the banks of Yamuna River, Agra, with its crowded alleys and predatory rickshaw riders, leads you to discover a fascinating Indian state through a series of colorful fairs, festivals, and historical monuments, but the most wonderful monument remains, since ages- the Taj.
In 1612, Mumtaz Mahal was married to Shah Jehan, the fifth Mughal emperor. This marriage, although the emperor' s second, was a real love-match, and Mumtaz was her husband' s inseparable companion on all his journeys and military expeditions. She was his comrade, his counselor, and inspired him to acts of charity and benevolence towards the weak and the needy. She bore him fourteen children, and died in childbed in 1630.
Overpowered by grief, Shah Jehan was determined to perpetuate her memory for immortality and decided to build his beloved wife the finest sepulcher ever - a monument of eternal love.
The sad circumstances which attended the early death of the empress who had endeared herself to the people inspired all his subjects to join in the emperor' s pious intentions. After twenty-two laborious years, and the combined effort of over twenty thousand workmen and master craftsmen, the complex was finally completed in 1648.
Taj Mahal is built on a high plinth, which has four tapering minarets at each corner. At the center of this plinth is an octagonal structure comprising of a central hall, with four smaller halls grouped around it. A central bulbous dome stands atop the roof of the Taj that is surrounded by four chhatris (domed canopy, supported by pillars, mainly seen in Hindu or local monuments and sometimes in Islamic buildings).
The Taj Mahal is a two-storied structure, each having arched recesses with a highly decorated iwan in the middle.
The tombs of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jehan are actually located in the basement, while their replicas are placed directly above in the upper hall.
Visitors can see two identical buildings on either side of the Taj, made of red sandstone. While both these buildings are mosques, the one towards the west (left side of the Taj) is important and used for offering prayers, as it not only sanctifies the Taj but also faces Mecca. The replica on the other side is known as the Jawab (answer).
The many elements that led to the creation of the Taj Mahal had their roots in the reigns of earlier monarchs, each of whom contributed his particular aesthetic interests and endeavors to the establishment of what we have subsequently called the Mughal Style, a style which blended the Persian patterns brought by the Mughals with the indigenous genius for fine craftsmanship.
The amazing achievements in the Mughal architectural tradition owe much to the great talent of Indian artisans and the wealth of material found in India, including the abundance of stone. Each emperor used local materials and indigenous forms and craftsmanship to nurture and bring to fruition a unique enduringly beautiful architectural tradition.
The Mughal style found triumphant fulfillment in the building of the Taj Mahal, the most splendid expression of the centuries of Mughal rule in India.
The Taj Mahal was the last and greatest architectural flowering of the Mughal period in Agra, before its builder, Shah Jehan (1592-1658) shifted the imperial centre of power and administration to what is now called Delhi.
The origin of the name the " Taj Mahal" is not clear. Court histories from Shah Jehan' s reign only call it the rauza (tomb) of Mumtaz Mahal. It is generally believed that " Taj Mahal" (usually translated as either " Crown Palace" or " Crown of the Palace" ) is an abbreviated version of her name, Mumtaz Mahal (Exalted One of the Palace).
Taj Mahal serves as a backdrop for the annual Taj Mahotsav (Taj festival), which is usually held in the month of February. The Taj Mahotsav is a celebration of traditional Indian art forms and crafts. The main events of this festival include classical dance performances by leading dance exponents and musical recitals by maestros, apart from display of various craft products and cultural shows.
It has been said that American president Bill Clinton was one of the most prominent dignitaries to visit the Taj Mahal monument in the recent past. “The world is divided between those who have seen the Taj and those who have not. Very soon, I hope to be on the side that has seen the Taj”, was how he felt, shortly after landing in India!
