The entrance runs parallel to the Taj Mahal and perpendicular to the Yamuna River. The structures on either side of the mausoleum are similar, and the water channels mirror the buildings, adding symmetry to the gardens and dividing them into perfect squares.
The tomb's design includes many mirrors; they're used to reflect light onto the building's interior walls for illumination during the day. Mirrors were extremely valuable at that time because glass wasn't used in construction yet.
There are also several holes in the structure through which servants could pass objects into the tomb for Akbar. One such hole is about two feet high and six inches wide.
Finally, there are some signs that the tomb may have been built by more than one architect. Some parts of it are much better preserved than others, and some elements seem strange like the white marble from Kerala, India, which was probably used as a substitute for the real thing if it became damaged or destroyed.
The reason why the Taj Mahal remains intact after almost 400 years is probably due to the fact that it is made up of solid white marble and doesn't contain any wood or other organic material that would decay over time.
Akbar ordered that his body be placed inside the tomb he had built for himself, but he didn't stay inside for long because only days later he was dead.
The Taj Mahal is created with magnificent gardens and trees that add to the mausoleum's visual attractiveness; yet, all of this shrubbery and plant life requires frequent watering, which is made simpler by placing the Taj on the banks of the Yamuna, which is a source of plentiful water supply. The builders of the Taj Mahal knew that without a constant flow of water, the plants would die and the beauty of the monument would be lost forever.
The Yamuna River has two branches: one flowing into the Hindon River and the other into the Ganges. It is this second branch that flows through Delhi where it is sometimes called the Gangetic River. The Yamuna River is the only one of India's major rivers not located in the northern part of the country. It is much longer than any other Indian river but also has a much smaller drainage basin. The reason for this is that most of its length is within the state of Uttar Pradesh, which has the largest population in India.
For the Taj Mahal construction workers, the Yamuna was both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, it provided them with easy access to water for their tasks. On the other hand, the river was prone to flooding, which could cause problems for the project. In fact, during heavy rains, the water level of the Yamuna rose so high that it even reached as far as the Taj Mahal itself.
The Taj Mahal complex is surrounded on three sides by crenellated red sandstone walls; the fourth side is exposed to the river. There are also other mausoleums beyond the fortifications, including those of Shah Jahan's other wives and a grander tomb for Mumtaz's favorite servant. The entire site covers about.
The outer wall has eight entrance gates, each with its own gatehouse. These gates provide access to the complex but also act as viewing points for tourists. The walls themselves are about 18 feet high and made up of rectangular blocks that weigh about 20 tons each. They were built without using any iron tools because the emperor wanted to show his perfection over everything else in life. The walls are so well-built that they have survived for over 300 years despite being only half-buried under mud when it was constructed.
Inside the walls is a large courtyard called the Daulatabad Bagh. It takes its name from the famous city that now stands within its boundaries - Delhi. The bagh is a beautiful park-like space with trees, flowers, and water channels. It was here that Emperor Shah Jahan would spend his days alone after the death of his wife Mumtaz. In front of the tomb itself is a large marble platform called the Janamsthan (birthplace) of India. Here you can see a replica of the entire city of Delhi at one time, made out of marble and glass.
The Yamuna River, which connects to the sacred Ganges, flows through Agra, passing several Mughal monuments of note, including Chini-ka Rauza and Itimad-ud-Daulah. The Taj Mahal and the majority of the prosperous city are located on the west side of the river, which was instrumental in the creation and building of the Taj Mahal.
The river is used for washing clothes and dishes, and also for swimming and other recreational activities. There are many popular beaches along its course, such as Pratap Beach, Iraivan Beach, and Sarai Alamgir. The best time to visit the Taj Mahal and Agra is between April and October, when the weather is not too hot or cold.
There are many ways to get around Agra city and its surrounding areas. The bus network is good, with buses running throughout the day until late at night. There are also auto drivers who can take you anywhere in the city for a fixed price. To get to nearby towns and villages, take a look at the signs posted everywhere in English. Taxis are also available but they charge a lot more than local auto drivers or buses.
The main tourist attraction in Agra is the magnificent Taj Mahal. Built by Shah Jahan in 1632-1648 as a mausoleum for his wife, it is one of the world's greatest works of architecture. The name "Taj Mahal" means "Crown Jewel".
Yamuna River The Taj Mahal was erected between 1631 and 1643 on the banks of the Yamuna river by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan (r. 1628–58) as a mausoleum for his beloved wife Arjumand Banu Begum, commonly known as Mumtaz Mahal. It is the largest tomb in the world by volume, measuring 30 metres long by 20 metres wide by 14 metres high. The exterior is made of white marble, while the interior is decorated with pure gold and jewels.
The construction site was chosen by Shah Jahan because of its proximity to Delhi and because it would be easy to obtain stone from. The location, along the bank of the river, allowed for elegant gardens to be created around the tomb. These are now part of the Indian government's property and cannot be visited by tourists.
It is estimated that more than 20,000 people worked on the project over an eight-year period. The tomb itself takes up about 15,000 square feet (1,430 sq m), but the complex also includes guesthouses, shops, and public spaces. It has been reported that there are more than 3 million bricks used in the construction of the monument.
The site of the Taj Mahal was originally home to several buildings including a mosque and a temple. They were destroyed when Shah Jahan decided to build the tomb.
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