Why the Taj Mahal Is Truly a Wonder of the World
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It’s not just because the Taj Mahal is synonymous with India. Nor is it just because it is to India, what Eiffel Tower is to France, the Big Apple to the US and the Big Ben to the UK. For, the Taj Mahal is more than just a magnificent monument that was built by Emperor Shah Jehan at a cost of millions.
The Taj Mahal is the ultimate tribute to love. What can be more romantic than an Emperor building a monument in the memory of his dear departed wife? What can be more inspiring than the fact that thousands of tourists turn up every year to gaze in awe-and-wonder at an edifice whose sheer magnificence creates not the splendour of a bygone past, but also pays a tribute to an emotion that makes us – Black or White, Rich or Poor – human?
It’s a monument that is deservedly a Wonder of the World. For, in this age of strife where all that we have to show for our so-called modernity and technological prowess are images and monuments that either glorify or recall the horrors of wars, here’s a monument that is perhaps the only one that’s been created in the honour of Love. Isn’t that a tremendous heritage?
It is said that Shah Jehan planned a duplicate mausoleum to be built in black marble across the Yamuna river. However he was overthrown and taken captive by his son Aurangzeb before it could be built. Ruins of black marble across the river in the Mahtab Bagh (the Moonlight Garden) support this legend. When Shah Jehan was imprisoned, the only thing that he could see from his prison cell was the Taj Mahal.
The monument has inspired myriad myths and beautiful legends. One story goes that once a year, during the rainy season, a single drop of water falls on Mumtaz Mahal’s cenotaph. The story recalls Rabindranath Tagore's description of the tomb as "one solitary tear hanging on the cheek of time".
Another myth suggests that beating the silhouette of the spire (set into the paving of the riverside forecourt) will cause water to come forth. To this day officials find broken bangles surrounding the silhouette.
Here are a few facts about the most unique wonder of the world:
- Grief-stricken at the death of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal (on the event of the birth of their 14th child), Shah Jehan wanted to build a mausoleum in her memory complete with gardens.
- Construction of the mausoleum started in 1632 and was completed in approximately 16 years, in 1648.
- Ustad Ahmad Lahauri is believed to be the principal designer of this beautiful monument which combines Turkish, Indian and Persian architectural styles.
- The inspiration for the design of the Taj included the Gur-e Amir (the tomb of Timur in Samarkand), Humayun's Tomb (in Delhi) , Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb (sometimes called the Baby Taj), and Shah Jahan's own Jama Masjid in Delhi.
- While previous Mughal buildings had been constructed of red sandstone, Shah Jahan promoted the use of white marble inlaid with semi-precious stones.
- Hindu craftsmen, particularly sculptors and stonecutters, were employed to build this Mughal monument. The carvings of Hindu rock-cut temples and the Man Singh palace in Gwalior also influenced the design of the Taj. The “chhatris” which can be seen on the Taj Mahal are a result of this Hindu-Muslim blend of architecture.
- The main dome is crowned by a gilded spire or finial. Until the early 1800s, it was made of gold and it is now made of bronze. The finial provides a clear example of the integration of traditional Persian and Hindu decorative elements. It is topped by a moon, an Islamic motif, whose horns point heavenward. Because of its placement on the main spire, the horns of the moon and the finial point combine to create a trident shape — reminiscent of the traditional Hindu symbols of Shiva.
- Built on the banks of the Yamuna, the river is an integral part of the grand design of the complex – a fact that is evident from the design of the Mahtab Bagh or "Moonlight Garden" which is part of the complex.
If you feel this Great Homage to Love and Coexistence is truly a wonder of the world do register your vote at www.indiainfo.com
Or visit votefortaj.org.in to register your vote for the Taj Mahal!
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Hi Adite, I am Indian blogger and I have started a new awareness website about Taj Mahal voting. http://votefortaj.org.in
If you think we can get some votes please pass on the link and will be great if you could help in putting up some content.
Thanks,
Chandra
Sure Chandra...anything for the Taj! you can put a link to this blog on your site. I will be adding fresh content on the Taj pretty soon...so watch this space! Saare Jahan Se Achcha Taj Mahal Hamara!:-)
you have missed one information that the foundation of Taj Mahal is on wood.
thanks for that...isn't it really amazing...and its wonderful to know that Taj is still there among the Top 7 Wonders.
Thank you adite. Your article about Taj is really exiting and inspirational. Through some of the private cable channels I came to know about some interesting facts about her. Personally I feel that there are lots of mysteries surrounding around the Taj. She has something hidden in her. I dream some day she will be unfolding her petals of mystery. I pray to God to save this Great Symbol.
I dont know if my information is correct. I have heard of a similar Taj Mahal made of black marble.
Regarding Konark Temple, being a Vaastu consultant I am of the view that it was not constructed on the principles of Vaastu.
I fell in love with the Taj Mahal as a child of 11, when we studied it in world history in 6th grade. I was saddened later on to find out that all its treasures were robbed. I guess that's inevitable when it stands in such a poor country. Still, I hope they keep it as one of the seven wonders, because it is truly the most beautiful building on earth, and it is a testament to true love.
what was the exact shape of tajmahal's foundation? is it well foundation of Raft foundation?
its truely amazing and i loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeee it so much
This will be the first spot i will truly visit when i come to India... It is truly amazing...
I would like to know why the Taj Mahal is a wonder of the world.
Thanks Damien
nice thank you.
Taj mahal is made of pure white marble. It's incredible, I feel it is the wonder of the world whether it is in the list or not.
I have been there once. Great place.
...what makes it more beautiful is the great story behind its construction. Indeed, this is also a wonder of the world. :)
Tajmahal = True Love
I love Tajmahal, it's the symbol of love
It's awesome......i'm proud to be an Indian bcoz Tajmahal is situated in India.....I'm fall in Love with Tajmahal.......
beautiful place
Actually i was in need to get the foundation details of the taj mahal. but nothing has been specified regarding that aspect......
VERY NEICE PICTURES
i dont understand abt dat *DROP in tajmahal*?
btw i love dis building
great place
pyar ne insan ko kya se kya bana diya
kisi ko kavi to kisi ko katil bana diya
DO phul ka bauz nahi utha sakti thi "MUMTAZ"
AUR SHAR JAHA ne us par "TAJ MAHAL" bana diya.
The world is divided in 2 parts, those who have seen the Taj and those who haven't.
i want the inside scene photos of taj
It Is "Moonlight Garden"
Jitna Tarif Kiya Jaye Kam Hai .....
Now time has come to preserve this magnificent piece of art ,for our coming generations .Otherwise humanity will not forgive us ,
THAT AMAZING GOOD TAJMAHAL
its really amazing that foundation of tajmahal is on wood, i love it......
mast hai boss!! aisa monument ko to wah-wah!! wah-wah!!!!
Taj Mahal is one of the wonder of the world.
Now taj mahal is turning yellow because of polution and i think we save taj mahal
i like taj mahal
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Nice
RajshekharM 5 years ago
Why do we in India chase recognition from thw west all the time? Does the list matter? Will the Taj lose significance, will it become lesser if the world chooses to displace it from the TOP 7? I think its time we began a campaign on recognizing our monuments, on giving them the respect that is theirs by right. And we should include the forts in Rajasthan, in Mandu, in Gwalior, and in Delhi in this list. These are awesome monuments, and these are just a few of the examples of what this proud country has to offer.
One more point. What will this race achieve, ultimately?