Taj Mahal, the symbol of eternal love. A monument that’s regarded as the most perfect jewel representing Indian Muslim’s art.
History of Taj Mahal
It stands on River Yamuna’s bank, in Agra. This was once the capital of Mughal Empire in the 16th and early 18th centuries. The massive mausoleum mosque was built by the fifth Muslim Mogul emperor, Shah Jahan in memory of his adored wife, a Persian princess who was born as Arjuman Bano Begum, but called Mumtaz Mahal. The princess was a considerable influence in his policies and his life. But she died at only the age of 39 while she was giving birth to their child in the year 1631.
Last wish: Build a Tomb in my memory
The ruler descended into deep mourning. The last wish to her husband was to build a tomb in her memory, such as never seen in the world before. Therefore, the ruler set about building the fairy-tale like spectacle of white marble. It’s surrounded by magnificent, formally laid-out walled gardens.
Taj Mahal rises on some high red sandstone that’s topped by a massive white marble terrace on which sits the renowned dome flanked by a total of four minarets. Inside this dome lies the queen’s jewel-inlaid cenotaph. So wonderful is the workmanship that Taj Mahal has been described as “having been designed by giants, and finished by jewelers.”
Changing colours
The dome is designed of white marble. However, the tomb is established against the plain across the river, and it’s this background working its magic colours which, by their reflection, alters the view of Taj Mahal. The colours will change at different times of the day, and in different seasons. The Taj sparkles, like the jewel, in moonlight when its semi-precious stones that are inlaid into its white marble on the mausoleum catch the moon’s glow. In the morning, the Taj is pinkish and milky white in the evening and golden with the shining of the moon. The changes, it’s said, symbolizes the different moods of woman.
Taj Mahal secrets
The stunning architectural beauty is beyond description, specifically at sunset and dawn. Taj Mahal appears to glow in the moon’s full light. On foggy morning, the visitors experience Taj Mahal as if it’s suspended when it’s viewed from across Yamuna River.
As an honor to stunning woman, and as a monument that symbolizes eternal love, Taj Mahal reveals its secrets when you visit it without being in any hurry. The Taj’s rectangular base itself is symbolic of the different sides from which a beautiful woman is viewed. Its main gate is similar to a veil covering a woman’s face that should be delicately and gently lifted without any hurry on the night of wedding. The veil is lifted gently in Indian tradition to reveal the bride’s beauty.
The power of love
The emperor, who was buried later in Taj Mahal, was overthrown by his son. He was imprisoned in the close by Great Red Fort for a period of eight years from which, it’s said, he could be able to see the Taj Mahal from the window of his small cell window.
Love has made men do great things, fight great wars and build great monuments like the Taj. This is a remarkable monument that’s a perfect symbol of love. It’s one of the beautiful tourist attractions in the world. Therefore, when you need to travel to India and see this magnificent beauty, what you only need to do is to have your Indian visa and the Taj Mahal, the symbol of eternal love beckons.