The President of the United States, Donald Trump and the First Lady, Melania Trump were on their first visit to India. And, like most world leaders who come to India, they too visited the Taj Mahal.
The Taj Mahal is one of the most popular destinations in the world, with millions of people coming in to visit this monument of love. It is widely known as an architectural marvel and is one of the most admired monuments in the world.
Here is all the information that you need to know about the Taj, the eighth wonder of the world.
Overview to the Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal is located on the banks of the river Yamuna in the city of Agra in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. The construction of this awe-inspiring and iconic monument started in 1631 AD and was completed in 1648 AD. Other peripheral parts of the Taj such as the mosque, the outer courtyard, and the guest house were completed in 1653 AD.
It is a beautiful amalgamation of Indian, Persian, and Islamic architectural styles and stands 171 metres tall.
It was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.
Creator of Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal was built by Shah Jahan, the fifth ruler of the Mughal Dynasty.
Why was the Taj Mahal built?
The Taj Mahal was built by Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, a woman who was known for her gracious beauty and for whom he had eternal love. Unfortunately, Mumtaz Mahal passed away during the birth of their thirteenth child.
This incident had a lasting impact on Shah Jahan, leaving him extremely depressed and disturbed.
It was in memory of Mumtaz Mahal that Shah Jahan decided to create an everlasting symbol of love, and thus came into being the Taj Mahal. The Taj is a mausoleum complex that is home to the tomb of Mumtaz and Shah Jahan himself.
Interesting facts about the Taj…
- The Taj Mahal is known to change colours across the duration of the day. In reality, however, as it is built of marble, it reflects hues depending on the intensity of sunlight and moonlight.
- It is believed that more than 20,000 workers from across India, Persia, Europe, and the Ottoman Empire were employed to finish the construction of the Taj.
- It has been visited by several world leaders such as former President and First Lady of the United States, Barack and Michelle Obama, Princess Diana, Prince William and Kate Middleton, Vladimir Putin, and Jacqueline Kennedy, among many others.
Here is an iconic picture of Prince Diana at the Taj Mahal.
4. Dozens of precious and semi-precious stones sourced from Tibet, China, and Sri Lanka were embellished in the Tah.
Have you visited this breathtaking monument? Do share your first reactions on seeing the Taj Mahal in the comments section below.
1