History of Taj Mahal

One of the seven wonders of the world - the Taj Mahal is a symbol of eternal love of a Mughal emperor for his wife. Such is the fame of this mausoleum that people from all the corners of the world visit India to have a glimpse of the same. The history of Taj Mahal highlights the tragic story of love, in which a Mughal emperor who lost his beloved wife decided to keep her alive in his memories forever.

While some people regard it as a symbol of love that the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan had for his wife Mumtaz Begum, others regard it as one of the most amazing example of Mughal architecture in India. Either ways, there is no match for the popularity of this 17th century monument in India, Asia or the World for that matter.

A Brief History of Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal is located in the city of Agra, in the North Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Even though it is immensely popular as 'Taj Mahal', it is sometimes simply referred to as the 'Taj', meaning a Crown. The Taj is undoubtedly one of the best example of the combination of Persian and ancient Mughal architecture. Even though it is quite popular in the entire world, there do exist some Taj Mahal facts which continue to elude people out there. Not surprisingly, most of these facts are related to the history of this monument. Given below are the answers to some of the frequently asked questions about the Taj Mahal history.

Why was the Taj Mahal Built?

The story of the Taj Mahal starts with the marriage of the great Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, who was renowned for his exceptional architectural skills. Shah Jahan married Arjuman Banu Begum in 1607, long before he acquired the Mughal throne in 1628. He was so mesmerized by her beauty that he gave her the title 'Mumtaz Mahal' - which literally meant the 'Jewel of the Palace'.

Mumtaz was immensely devoted to her husband, and frequently accompanied him on his military escapades, and thus acquired a special place in his life. She died an accidental death while giving birth to her 14th child - Gauhara Begum, in 1631, thus leaving emperor ShahJahan struck with grief. In a bid to preserve the fond memories that he shared with her, Shah Jahan decided to build an elegant mausoleum for her. While some historical sources suggest that it was Mumtaz's last wish to be cremated in a beautiful mausoleum, there is no concrete evidence suggesting the same.

When and Where Was the Taj Mahal Built?

The Taj Mahal - often regarded as a wonder made by a lover, was built in 17th century on the banks of river Yamuna in Agra. The famous Mughal architects involved in its construction were Ustad Ahmad Lahauri, Abd ul-Karim Ma'mur Khan and Makramat Khan. The land on which the Taj was built was acquired from the Kachhwahas of Ajmer in lieu of four havelis (large mansions).

The construction of this mausoleum began in 1632, and it took a whole of two decades to reach its complete form. It was made from pure white marble, with special emphasis given to the dome of the structure. Many people believe that the term Taj Mahal is used to refer to the dome structure, the fact however is that it encompasses the entire complex. While the entire complex spans over an area of 1,902 feet x 1,002 feet, and the height of Taj Mahal dome is 213 ft. The raw material that was utilized in its construction was brought from various parts of the world. While the marble were brought from Makrana in Rajasthan, the precious stones were brought from Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Tibet. Even though the construction of Taj Mahal was completed in 1648, it took another five years for the workers to complete the gardens, fountains and buildings in the surroundings. The end result was a masterpiece - cherished by one and all.

More Facts about the History of Taj Mahal

The mortal remains of Mumtaz Mahal, which were till then buried in the Zainabad garden, were eventually brought to Agra and enshrined in the Taj. Soon after the completion of the mausoleum, Shah Jahan was arrested and imprisoned by his own son Aurangzeb, who took the reins of the Mughal Dynasty in his own hands. Historical accounts of this era suggest that Shah Jahan spent the rest of his life in the prison gazing at the Taj Mahal through the small window in the wall. Eventually, when he died his mortal remains were laid besides the tomb of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Begum.

 That was the inspirational history of Taj Mahal, for kids and adults alike, which starts with the tragic death of empress Mumtaz Mahal and continues forever. In 1983, the Taj got the due respect, when it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Millions of people visit Agra to get a glimpse of this symbol of eternal love every year. With such rich history attributed to it, a visit to Taj Mahal is an experience of a lifetime - something that you can't afford to miss.

Source: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/history-of-taj-mahal.html