Incredible stories
Taj Mahal, the pinnacle of Mughal architecture, was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan (1628-1658), grandson of Akbar the great, in the memory of his queen Arjumand Bano Begum, entitled ‘Mumtaz Mahal’. Mumtaz Mahal was a niece of empress Nur Jahan and granddaughter of Mirza Ghias Beg I’timad-ud-Daula, wazir of emperor Jehangir. She was born in 1593 and died in 1631, during the birth of her fourteenth child at Burhanpur. Her mortal remains were temporarily buried in the Zainabad garden. Six months later, her body was transferred to Agra to be finally enshrined in the crypt of the main tomb of the Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal is the mausoleum of both Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan.
Global recognition and Bollywood connection
The timeless beauty of Taj Mahal has earned it many international acclaims, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site status. Beyond its historical significance, the Taj Mahal has also captured the imagination of filmmakers, becoming an iconic backdrop in Indian cinema. Bollywood classics like 'Guide' (1965) and 'Saagar' (1983), as well as modern hits such as 'Love Aaj Kal' (2010) and 'Jab Harry Met Sejal' (2017), have showcased the monument's ethereal beauty on the silver screen.
A monument born from enduring love
The Taj Mahal holds numerous fascinating stories within its walls that add an incredible allure. Built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1632 as part of his final wish to his beloved wife Queen Mumtaz - she died giving birth and wanted her husband to build "such an immense tomb in her honour that no other has seen before" - Taj Mahal boasts incredible narratives within its walls that make its allure complete.
The Taj Mahal has touched many, from Nobel Laureates like Rabindranath Tagore (described it as a teardrop on eternity's cheek) to Rudyard Kipling and Time Magazine who featured it as an emblem of hope for future generations. It has even graced Time's cover in 2020!
Architectural marvels and labour of devotion
The Taj Mahal boasts breathtaking exterior designs featuring vaulted arches adorned with Pietra Dura scrollwork and verses from the Quran written elegantly in calligraphy, precious gems and stones such as lapis lazuli, cornelian, mother of pearl, agate and emerald were used in its intricate design. Spanning 17 hectares surrounded by Mughal gardens and pathways; its four minarets stand in perfect balance from one tomb with 4 minarets at equal distances from its tomb - A testament to the efforts of 22,000 workers and 1,000 elephants over 17 years of construction, their labor of love created this marvel!
Masons, stonecutters, inlayers, carvers, painters, calligraphers, dome-builders and other artisans were requisitioned from the whole of the empire and also from Central Asia and Iran. While bricks for internal constructions were locally prepared, white marble for external use in veneering work was obtained from Makrana in Rajasthan. Semi-precious stones for inlay ornamentation were brought from distant regions of India, Ceylon and Afghanistan. Red sandstone of different tints was requisitioned from the neighbouring quarries of Sikri, Dholpur, etc.
