The unbounded love of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved wife Mumtaz, when took the shape of Taj Mahal, the whole world got dipped in to its captivating charm.

One and a half hours by the express train from New Delhi will take you to Agra where exists - The Taj Mahal, the proud passions of an emperor’s love wrought in living stones. Standing on the bank of the river Yamuna, Taj Mahal was built by the fifth Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan in 1631 in memory of his second wife, Mumtaz Mahal, a Muslim Persian princess. She however died after giving birth to their 14th child. Emperor Shah Jahan spent his eight years of life imprisoned by his own son Aurangjeb, where he gazed at the Taj Mahal and remembered his beloved .....Mumtaz tujhe dekha, jab Taj Mahal dekha.( when I saw Taj Mahal , I saw you Mumtaz )...

Taj - Today, Tomorrow and Forever

The Taj stands on a raised, square platform (186 x 186 feet) with its four tapering minarets. The architectural design uses the interlocking arabesque concept, in which each element stands on its own and perfectly integrates with the main structure. There is a line of symmetry through the centre of the tomb from top to bottom. The only asymmetrical object in the Taj is the casket of the emperor which was built beside the queen’s as an afterthought.

The central dome of the Taj is fifty-eight feet in diameter and rises to a height of 213 feet. The four gr, slender minarets are 162.5 feet each. The whole mausoleum (inside as well as outside) is decorated and ornamented with inlaid design of flowers and calligraphy using precious gems such as agate and jasper. On closer look, the lettering of the Quran verses around the archways appears to be uniform, regardless of their height. There are also certain Islamic prints. A unique blend of Persian, Central Asian, Islamic and Mughal style architecture can be seen in making of the Taj Mahal.

The mausoleum is a part of a vast complex comprising of a main gateway, an elaborate garden, a mosque (to the left), a guest house (to the right), and several other palatial buildings. The Taj is at the farthest end of this complex, with the river Jamuna behind it. The large garden contains four reflecting pools dividing it at the centre.

Taj has a life of its own that leaps out of marble, provided you understand that it is a monument of love.

Year Of kudos

The pride of India - Taj Mahal was designated as a World Heritage Site in the year 1983. Today it is a major tourist destination capturing the hearts of the millions. It is said that the magic of Taj Mahal is such that it compels the beholders to return back to the place again.

Peppery Bulletin

• The Taj Mahal is a finalist for the New Seven Wonders of the World, along with 20 other would-be wonders.
• The real name of Mumtaz Mahal was Arjumand Banu.
• There is a line of symmetry through the centre of the tomb from top to bottom.
• Taj Mahal took 20 long years to get completed.
• Around 40,000 elephants were used to transport the materials for the construction of this great monument.
• Around 20,000 workers were employed for the making of this lover's paradise.
• The total cost of the Taj Mahal's construction was about 50 million rupees.
• During the time of the Indian rebellion of 1857, British soldiers, sepoys and government officials chiseled out precious stones and lapis lazuli from its walls.
• Recently the Taj Mahal was claimed to be Sunni Wakf property, on the grounds that it is the grave of a woman whose husband Emperor Shah Jahan was a Sunni. The Indian Government has dismissed claims by the Muslim trust to administer the property, saying their claims are baseless and the Taj Mahal is Indian national property.
• Tagore called Taj Mahal as “a drop of tear on the cheek of history.”
• Shah Jahan was willing to build an identical mausoleum on the other side of the river, in black marble instead of white and was supposed to be called as the Black Taj.
• It is asserted by P.N. Oak, the President of The Institute for Rewriting Indian History that the Taj Mahal was a Hindu temple of the God Shiva, which was usurped and remodelled by Shah Jahan.
• Rumours has it that Taj Mahal is sinking.