The Taj Mahal, located in Agra, India, is an ivory-white marble mausoleum on the southern bank of the Yamuna River. It was commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan to serve as the tomb for his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The construction of the monument, which took approximately 22 years to complete, involved thousands of artisans and craftsmen from across the Indian Subcontinent, as well as from Europe and Central Asia.
The project was managed by a council of architects under the leadership of Ustad Ahmad Lahauri, a Persian architect, and Makramat Khan, who was the project manager. The complex is built on a raised platform and includes a mosque, a guest house, and expansive gardens with fountains and a large reflecting pool. The main building, the tomb, stands at the center of this complex.
The materials used in the construction were sourced from various regions. The white marble was brought from Makrana in Rajasthan, jasper from Panjab, jade and crystal from China, turquoise from Tibet, lapis lazuli from Afghanistan, sapphire from Sri Lanka, and carnelian from Arabia. In addition to these, more than 1,000 elephants were employed to transport the materials during construction.
The architectural style of the Taj Mahal combines elements from Persian, Islamic, and Indian architectural styles. This fusion results in a unique structure that embodies symmetry and balance. The mausoleum itself is a perfect symmetrical structure with a central iwan flanked by four minarets. The exterior decorations include intricate pietra dura inlay work, calligraphy, and vegetal motifs.
The Taj Mahal is often considered a symbol of love due to its construction as a tribute to Mumtaz Mahal. It has also been recognized as a masterpiece of UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983, highlighting its cultural, historical, and architectural significance. It attracts millions of visitors annually, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.
In recent years, the Government of India has undertaken various measures to protect the monument from pollution and over-tourism, including restrictions on the number of daily visitors and stringent pollution control measures in Agra.
Sources: