The Taj Mahal is often regarded as one of the most stunning structures ever built. The magnificent marble edifice in Agra, India, is a mausoleum, a lasting testament to a husband's love for his favorite wife. It was built between 1632 and 1652 by the Indian architect Faujdar Shah Jahan, who married the widow of his predecessor as king of Delhi. The project involved more than 20,000 workers using almost half a million pieces of marble.
For many, the Taj Mahal represents India. Its creator hoped that it would help preserve his reputation after he died, leaving the throne to a younger son. The structure has been described as a "miniature version of the Muslim world with its seven pristine gardens and reflecting pools". It contains some of the most exquisite examples of stone carving in the world. The central tomb is surrounded by four smaller tombs of Jahan's sons and daughters.
The construction of the Taj Mahal lasted six years and used thousands of tons of marble. It was originally painted white but over time it has weathered to a pale pink color. Today, it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in India.
People around the world recognize the beauty of the Taj Mahal because of photographs and paintings.
According to mythology, Shah Jahan's beloved wife tied him to construct her the most gorgeous tomb ever known on his deathbed. It was commissioned by the great Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in 1632 for his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal.
The Taj Mahal is a monument to love and death. Its original name was "Masjid-e-Taj" which means "Mosque of Taj". It was originally built as a mausoleum for Shah Jahan's wife but he didn't live long enough to see it completed. Today, it stands as a memorial to this beloved woman and as a testimony to the greatness of its builder. The construction site was originally surrounded by walls but these have since been destroyed due to natural disasters and wars over the years.
The architectural masterpiece is made of white marble with black alabaster stones and has around 3 million polished turquoise and pink stones from the Ganga River. It also contains semi-precious stones such as emeralds and rubies. The overall design of the Taj Mahal expresses an atmosphere of peace and tranquility with many symbols that remind us of life after death. These include: flowing water, trees, flowers, and several species of animals including elephants, lions, and tigers.
Here are India's 10 most stunning man-made structures: 1. The Taj Mahal in Agra The most beautiful monument in the world is the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan's emblem of eternal love, created for his adored bride. It is said that he spent the entire budget of his empire (approximately 4 million pounds) to build this masterpiece.
2. The Red Fort in Delhi This majestic building was built by the Mughals as their royal residence and now serves as the presidential palace for India. It is an impressive structure with seven courtyards surrounded by high walls painted with scenes from the Ramayana and other epics.
3. The Lotus Temple in Kolkata The temple features a huge white lotus flower within its main chamber where it stands on a base consisting of 72 petals. It is one of the most important temples for the Buddhist community in India.
4. The Christ Church Cathedral in Chennai Also known as "the mother of all churches", this cathedral was built between 1741 and 1847 by British colonists in South India. It has become a symbol of Christian faith in Tamil Nadu.
5. The Birla Mandir in Mumbai The temple was built in memory of Lord Birla who was a wealthy businessman who devoted his life to improve the living standards of poor people.
Taj Mahal The Taj Mahal in Agra, India, is often regarded as the pinnacle of Indian Islamic architecture. It is a mausoleum built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife, the beautiful and talented Empress Mumtaz Mahal. The construction began in 1632 and was completed in 1654. It is now one of the world's greatest examples of masonry architecture.
The Taj Mahal has been called "the jewel of Islam" and "a memorial to love". It is believed that around 20,000 people worked on the project over an estimated period of twenty-two years. The empress was buried next to her husband and it is said that their bodies were never removed from the Taj Mahal, so that they could be together forever.
In 2016, UNESCO added the Taj Mahal to its list of World Heritage Sites.
The Taj Mahal Shah Jahan era architecture is an Indian construction style that thrived under the patronage of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan (reigned 1628–58), with the beautiful mausoleum at Agra, the Taj Mahal, as its greatest achievement. This iconic monument to love and loss was inspired by God's creation itself and is still considered one of the world's greatest works of art today.
The Taj Mahal was not the only monumental building constructed during Shah Jahan's reign. He also played a key role in building several other important structures such as the Red Fort and Fatehpur Sikri. But it is the Taj Mahal that attracts millions of visitors every year. It is regarded as one of the ten wonders of the world by UNESCO.
Construction on the Taj Mahal began in 1632 when Shah Jahan was 25 years old. Over the next 20 years, he laid out extensive gardens with many types of trees and flowers, which helped preserve the structure through the harsh Indian climate. The building itself was completed in 1653 by a team of artists and architects led by Ustad Ahmad Lahori. It is this masterpiece of engineering and art that makes the Taj Mahal unique among buildings worldwide. The mausoleum has eight marble facades, each one measuring 3.5 meters (11 ft) wide and about 40 centimeters (1 ft 4 inches) thick.