The Taj Mahal is a world-famous mausoleum. It can confidently be said that there is no second medieval structure as visually stunning. The Taj Mahal is located in Agra, in India’s Uttar Pradesh state. Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan built this exquisitely beautiful monument in Agra, the capital of the Mughal Empire, to preserve the memory of his wife, Empress Mumtaz Mahal (Begum Arjumand Banu). It is considered the finest example of Mughal architecture, blending Islamic, Persian, Turkish and Indian architectural styles. The Taj Mahal was designed by the renowned Lahore architect Ustad Ahmed, who was also known as Isa Khan. Construction of the Taj Mahal began in 1632, with the main mausoleum completed in 1648. The full construction was completed in 1653, taking a total of 22 years. During construction, some 20,000 skilled artisans and laborers from India, Persia, Egypt and Central Asia are known to have worked on the project regularly. In 1983, the Taj Mahal was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site as one of the seven wonders of the world.
Foundation and structure of the Taj Mahal
At the heart of the Taj Mahal is its white marble mausoleum. The tomb sits atop a square platform. The foundation structure is vast, comprising several chambers. The main chamber holds the cenotaphs of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan. The platform measures 55 meters on each side, featuring arched pathways and iwan structures, with a matching arched gallery above. This main arched gateway connects at the top with the building’s roof, forming the facade. Each side of the Taj Mahal is built in an identical design. There is one minaret at each corner of the platform, four in total. The graves of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan lie on the lowest level.
The Taj Mahal’s marble dome is remarkably striking. It measures 35 meters, equal to the width of the building’s platform. The top of the dome is adorned with a lotus-flower motif, which further accentuates its height. Atop the dome sits a copper finial decorated with Persian ornamentation. The main dome is flanked at its four corners by four smaller, matching domes. The smaller domes also carry copper finials. Atop the main dome sits a crown-like pinnacle. Until the 1800s, this pinnacle was made of gold, but it was later replaced with one made of bronze.
At each corner of the main platform stands one of four large minarets. Each minaret rises more than 40 meters. The minarets are designed in the traditional style of mosque minarets, from which the muezzin gives the call to prayer. Each minaret is divided into three equal sections by two balconies. Each minaret leans slightly outward from the platform, so that if one were ever to collapse, it would not fall onto the main mausoleum.
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