Students
of schools and colleges generally go on excursions every year. They select
places of historical and scientific interest to visit. Those going to Delhi
will not miss to visit Agra and see the Taj Mahal. At Agra besides the Taj
Mahal they can also seen the Agra Fort and Fathepuri Sikri which was for some
time the capital of Moghul Emperor, Shahjahan.
Taj
Mahal is one of the seven wonders of the world. It has both historical as well
as cultural value. It is built on the banks of the river Jamuna. Taj Mahal was
built by the Moghul Emperor Shahjahan as a mausoleum of his beloved wife
Arjmand Begum popularly known as Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 1630 A.D.
Taj
Mahal is an architectural beauty which is beyond description. It is a work of
Indian architects - both Muslims and Hindus. The mausoleum with its allied
gardens and the building complex measures 1400 feet x 1000 feet and is in the
form of a rectangle. It is enclosed by a high wall surmounted by four arcaded
marble pavilions at each one of the four corners. As one enters he is flanked
by arched apartments and red stone building structures. The main gate is a red
stone structure of very great architectural value. Its facade contains
beautiful calligraphic descriptions in Arabic. After one passes the main gate
one enters the well-laid out garden with marble pathways, water course and
fountains. Before the visitor, stands the beautiful marble mausoleum.
The
principal mausoleum stands again on a rectangular platform built in marble with
a plinth area of 22 square feet. The mausoleum proper is square in shape. The
main dome which rises to a height of 108 feet from the base platform is of pure
white marble. On each of the four domes of the platform there is a minaret
covered by "Kiosk". The central dome towers all these cupolas. It is
said that it took 22 years to complete the whole structure and that it cost
then three crores of rupees. The construction of this central dome itself is
said to have taken 12 years. Besides white marble about twenty varieties of
precious stones are said to have been used in the decoration and inlay work of
the Taj Mahal.
Some
claim that Europeans were involved in building it. But this is now rejected and
historians confirm that Taj Mahal was built completely by Indians. The chief
designer is said to be Ustad Ahmad Lahori. Maktrramat Khan and Mir Abdul Quasim
are stated to be its architects. Ismail Khan Rumi is the maker of the central
dome. Both Muslim and Hindus had contributed their best in building this
beautiful monument.
Shahjahan
was a builder par-excellence. He had inherent zest for beautiful architecture.
His regime was the golden period for architecture. He was responsible for
building the Red Fort at Delhi, with its beautiful. Diwan-e-Am and
Diwan-e-Khas. The Moti Masjid at Agra and the Jama Masjid, a beautiful red
stone structure at Delhi are his contributions. Taj Mahal is the best of the
monuments, man has ever built. Though built as a mausoleum for the beautiful
queen, Taj Mahal stands and speaks unquestionably the glory and taste of
Shahjahan and his inordinate love for his wife. In the interior, in the middle
of the structure, right below the massive dome lie the mortal remains of the
queen, Mumtaz, in a peaceful and serene atmosphere.
The
Taj Mahal on a full-moon night, looks like pure white pearl, a sight that
cannot be seen elsewhere in the world. The Taj is a thing of beauty and a thing
of beauty is a joy forever.
When
the President of U.S.A. Bill Clinton visited the Taj Mahal in March 2000, he
was bowled by its beauty. Before visiting the Taj Mahal, he said there are two
types of people in the world - those who saw Taj Mahal and those who didn't. It
is reckoned as one of the seven wonders of the world.
0 Comment to "Historical Place – Taj Mahal"
Post a Comment