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The History of The Taj Mahal: Preserving a Monument of Love

History

The Taj Mahal is an ivory-white marble mausoleum on the south bank of the Yamuna river in the Indian city of Agra. The Taj Mahal, often hailed as one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. It is not only a symbol of architectural splendor but also a symbol of eternal love. Built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. It has become a global icon of romance and artistic achievement.

The Taj Mahal was commissioned by Shah Jahan in 1632, after the death of his wife Mumtaz Mahal during childbirth. He wanted to create a mausoleum that would reflect his eternal love for her. Construction took over 20 years and involved thousands of artisans, craftsmen, and laborers. The Taj Mahal is built primarily of white marble, with intricate carvings and inlaid gemstones, making it a masterpiece of Mughal architecture.

Construction of The Taj Mahal

Construction of the mausoleum was completed in 1648, but work continued on other phases of the project for another five years. The first ceremony held at the mausoleum was an observance by Shah Jahan, on 6 February 1643, of the 12th anniversary of the death of Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal complex is believed to have been completed in its entirety in 1653 at a cost estimated at the time to be around ₹5 million, which in 2023 would be approximately ₹35 billion.

The Taj Mahal combines both Indo-Islamic and Mughal architectural styles. It follows a symmetrical design, using different shapes and symbols throughout the complex. The main mausoleum is made of white marble, decorated with semi-precious stones. Other buildings in the complex are built from red sandstone, which was commonly used in Mughal architecture during that time.

The Taj Mahal was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 for being "the jewel of Islamic art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage".