The history of Taj Mahal
Today, the Taj Mahal is one the most visited places in the country.
Surrounded by picturesque gardens and pools, the white marble reflects
the pink tinted sunlight at dawn, the awe-inspiring sunset and the shimmering
moonlight.
It has captured the imagination of poets, artists, writers, photographers
and sculptors since its inception and will no doubt continue to do so
for all times to come.
When visiting the Taj Mahal, one enters through the “Jilo Khana”
which has red sandstone buildings on either side. On the East Side is
the “Fatehbad Darwaza” which translates as the victory gate
and it leads to the “Kali Masjid”. The “Seerhi Darwaza”
which translates as the stairway gate is found to the south and from
here, one enters the village of the artisans and craftsmen who are the
descendents of the original builders. The entrance to the north leads
to the Taj Mahal. The gate is three stories high and has twenty-two
small domes decorating it with verses from the Quran inscribed in black
and white marble on the main archway. The mausoleum stands to the north
of the memorial.
The base of the whole construction is in red sandstone above which is
the white marble terrace. Four minarets also in white marble stand in
each corner and in the center is the main building crowned by the much
renowned dome. On each side of the main building are two twin red sandstone
buildings with traditional decorations; the one facing the west is a
mosque and the other is a resting-place for pilgrims.
In the tomb chamber there is a two-storied hall where we find the cenotaph
of the queen and to one side, a similar casket belonging to the emperor.
Both are exquisitely decorated with mosaics and calligraphy. The actual
graves are in the basement of the mausoleum.
Shahjehan planned to build a similar resting place for himself across
the river in black marble but, this was not to be since he was imprisoned
by his own son, Aurangzeb and spent his last years confined in the Red
Fort from where he gazed at the last abode of his beloved; and where
he finally rejoined her after his death.
