- With Ustad Ahmad Lahauri as the chief architect, the construction of Taj Mahal began in 1632 and ended in 1653 in memory of Emperor Shah Jahan’s favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. This wonder is located in Agra, India.
- As the finest Mughal architecture in the world, Taj Mahal combines Persian, Ottoman, Indian and Islamic styles in one.
- Amanat Khan designed the white marbled calligraphy found in Taj Mahal large pishtaq. In plain English, the various themes written in the calligraphy are about: The Sun, The Purity of Faith, Daybreak, Morning Light, The Fig, The Solace, Ya Sin, The Folding Up, The Cleaving Asunder, The Rending Asunder, The Evidence, Dominion, Victory, Those Sent Forth and The Crowds.
- The tombs of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal were situated at the center interior region of Taj Mahal and both were elaborately designed with precious and semiprecious gems
- The Garden of Paradise located outside Taj Mahal measures 300-meters-squared, which signifies the perfect garden of abundance due to its four flowing rivers in four directions: north, west, east and south.
- During the on-going construction of Taj Mahal, more than one thousand elephants were used to transport equipment and materials.
- During the 1965-1971 India-Pakistan war, the Indian government created temporary platforms suspended from the top peak of Taj Mahal to mislead bombs.
- As the seventh wonder of the modern world, the grounds of Taj Mahal are open from six in the morning until seven in the evening during weekdays except Fridays. Fridays are reserved for prayers at the mosque from twelve noon to two in the afternoon.
Getting Around the Taj Mahal
It will absolutely be a rewarding experience to visit Taj Mahal. As you enter the forecourt, you’ll the Islamic decorative walls of Taj Ganj. Inside the gatehouse, you’ll be ready to go forward the Celestial pool of abundance where you can just sit and reflect the beauty of the place. On the left side of the pool, you are seeing the Paradise Gardens where sixteen parterre, flowerbeds, trees and fountains are laid.
Moving along at the front of the Chhaka is the entrance of mausoleum. Here, you’ll see the unique stokes of calligraphy and inscription in the walls. Then, as you enter the orbital-shape jail entrance, prepare yourself to meet the cenotaphs of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz. If you walk straight from the cenotaphs, you’ll see the interior octagonal room filled beautiful inlays, chambers and dados. At the rooftop of Taj Mahal, you can clearly see the fantastic view of River Yamuna.
On the left side of the mausoleum is the reflecting pool by the Mosque while on the right side lies the wide terrace of Chameli Farsh.
