For my last blog post, I decided to talk about one of the new seven wonders of the world: the Taj Mahal.
Combining architectural and decorative elements from Indian, Persian, and Islamic influences, the Taj Mahal is the most famous example of Mughal architecture in the world. This was a distinctive style of architecture developed and used by the Mughal empire in northern and central India from the 16th century to the 18th century.
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The Taj Mahal was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in order to immortalize his favorite wife, Arjuman Banu, also known as Mumtaz Mahal. It is located in Agra, India and was originally constructed on the banks of the Yamuna river.
Built in 1632 and taking about 22 years to complete construction, the Taj Mahal functions as a mausoleum complex. Despite being relatively large, comprising about 35,000 square feet, the intricate monument only holds the tombs for two people: Jahan and his wife.
With a perfectly symmetrical form, the Taj Mahal is made entirely out of white marble and inlaid with semi-precious jewels and stones. It is flanked on both sides with identical red sandstone buildings.
The well known mausoleum complex displays some of the most prominent characteristics of Mughal architecture, especially domes. The central onion shaped dome, which has a height of over 200 feet, is surrounded by four smaller domes, or chhatri. These are elevated pavilions utilized heavily throughout Indian structures.
Taking inspiration from Islamic architecture, the Taj Mahal is also surrounded by four minarets. These architectural elements, which are slender towers with stairs leading to one or more balconies, were often incorporated into mosque complexes and used to call faithful Muslims to prayer.
Also influenced by the early Islamic decoration style, the Taj Mahal features Arabic calligraphic inscriptions (also called Thuluth script), or passages and verses from the sacred Islamic book of Quran, throughout the entire complex.
Another decorative feature prominently used across the mausoleum is known as pietra dura, a type of mosaic that is formed by inlaying and fitting highly polished, colorful stones, such as jade, crystal, amethyst, and turquoise. The resulting stonework created highly formalized designs often depicting intertwining geometric, abstract, and floral designs.
In addition to being an impressive architectural work featuring different formal and decorative elements, the Taj Mahal is also very symbolic in the way it was designed and built.
Not only being a monumental symbol of Jahan’s love for his wife, the mausoleum complex paints a picture of Paradise, as defined by the Muslim religion. The most explicit example of this paradise (or an everlasting afterlife) is the complex’s garden and two water channels. Oriented to the cardinal points of the compass and forming the shape of a cross, the four canals symbolize the four rivers of paradise.
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The Taj Mahal is a national symbol of India and was recognized as an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982.
This was so interesting to read. I had to do a research project on the Taj Mahal in my Sophomore year of highschool but I had forgotton a lot about it now, so this was very informative. I never realized how old it was. It’s always so intriguing to me how advanced society was hundreds of years ago.
I really enjoyed learning all of these facts and the background about the Taj mahal because while I have known a little about it, I have always wanted to learn more. The one thing that fascinates me the most about the Taj Mahal is that it is the product of a fusion of many different cultures. The Taj Mahal blends Indian, Persian, and Islamic styles in order to form one of the 7 wonders of the world. If you had asked me 5 years ago, I would have said that I had no desire to go to India and visit the Taj Mahal because I just did not have a connection to it. Within these past few years, specifically my senior year in high school, I had the ability to research different architecture styles around the world, and it had just been so cool to see how these big structures differ based on engineering advancements and cultural elements. With that newfound interest, I would now say that I want to visit India to see this amazing architectural feat.
Such an interesting read! I have always thought the Taj Mahal was such a cool piece of architecture but after resding this I definitely have even more respect for it and knwolegedge.
This is one of the most beautiful works of design and architecture I have ever seen I always love looking at pictures of the Taj Mahal. I never knew that only 2 people live inside, what do they even do with all that space and all those rooms? My favorite part to read about from your post was all the religious symbolism that is present in this building’s features. I also really appreciate the perfect symmetry of the Taj Mahal, it shows how much effort and precision must have gone into creating such a masterpiece. So does the fact that it took 22 years to finish building. Hopefully one day I can see this masterpiece in person but your blog posts will have to do for now!