Specality of TajMahal

8/14/2019 Specality of TajMahal

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Why TajMahal is SoWhy TajMahal is So

Special..?Special..?


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INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

The Taj Mahal (The Taj Mahal (DevanagariDevanagari:,:, NastaliqNastaliq:: ) .is a mausoleum located in Agra, India. (is a mausoleum located in Agra, IndiaThe Mughal Emperor Shah JahanThe Mughal Emperor Shah Jahancommissioned it as a mausoleum for hiscommissioned it as a mausoleum for his

favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Constructionfavorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Constructionbegan in 1632 and was completed inbegan in 1632 and was completed inapproximately 1648. Some dispute surroundsapproximately 1648. Some dispute surroundsthe question of who designed the Taj Mahal;the question of who designed the Taj Mahal;it is clear a team of designers and craftsmenit is clear a team of designers and craftsmen

were responsible for the design, with Ustadwere responsible for the design, with UstadAhmad Lahauri considered the most likelAhmad Lahauri considered the most likelycandidate as the principal designer.candidate as the principal designer.


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ContdContd

The Taj Mahal (sometimes called "the Taj") isThe Taj Mahal (sometimes called "the Taj") isgenerally considered the finest example ofgenerally considered the finest example ofMughal architecture, a style that combinesMughal architecture, a style that combineselements of Persian, Turkish, Indian, and Islamicelements of Persian, Turkish, Indian, and Islamic

architectural styles. While the white domedarchitectural styles. While the white domedmarble mausoleum is the most familiar part ofmarble mausoleum is the most familiar part ofthe monument, the Taj Mahal is actually anthe monument, the Taj Mahal is actually anintegrated complex of structures. In 1983 the Tajintegrated complex of structures. In 1983 the Tajbecame a UNESCO World Heritage Site andbecame a UNESCO World Heritage Site and

was cited as "the jewel of Muslim art in India andwas cited as "the jewel of Muslim art in India andone of the universally admired masterpieces ofone of the universally admired masterpieces ofthe world's heritage."the world's heritage."


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ConstructionConstruction

The Taj Mahal was built on a parcel of land to theThe Taj Mahal was built on a parcel of land to thesouth of the walled city of Agra which had belongedsouth of the walled city of Agra which had belongedto Maharajah Jai Singh: Shah Jahan presented himto Maharajah Jai Singh: Shah Jahan presented himwith a large palace in the centre of Agra in exchange.with a large palace in the centre of Agra in exchange.

Construction began with setting the foundations forConstruction began with setting the foundations forthe tomb. An area of roughly three acres wasthe tomb. An area of roughly three acres wasexcavated and filled with dirt to reduce seepage fromexcavated and filled with dirt to reduce seepage fromthe river.the river.

The entire site was leveled to a fixed height about 50The entire site was leveled to a fixed height about 50meters above the riverbank. The Taj Mahal is 55meters above the riverbank. The Taj Mahal is 55meters tall. The dome itself measures 18 meters inmeters tall. The dome itself measures 18 meters indiameter and 24 meters high.diameter and 24 meters high.


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ContdContd

In the tomb area, wells were then dug to the point that water wasIn the tomb area, wells were then dug to the point that water wasencountered. These wells were later filled with stone and rubble,encountered. These wells were later filled with stone and rubble,forming the basis for the footings of the tomb. [An additionalforming the basis for the footings of the tomb. [An additionalwell was built to same depth nearby to provide a visual methodwell was built to same depth nearby to provide a visual methodto track water level changes over time.]to track water level changes over time.]

Instead of lashed bamboo, the typical scaffolding method,Instead of lashed bamboo, the typical scaffolding method,workmen constructed a colossal brick scaffold that mirrored theworkmen constructed a colossal brick scaffold that mirrored theinner and outer surfaces of the tomb. The scaffold was soinner and outer surfaces of the tomb. The scaffold was soenormous that foremen estimated it would take years toenormous that foremen estimated it would take years todismantle. According to legend, Shah Jahan decreed thatdismantle. According to legend, Shah Jahan decreed thatanyone could keep bricks taken from the scaffold, and it wasanyone could keep bricks taken from the scaffold, and it wasdismantled by peasants overnight.dismantled by peasants overnight.

A fifteen-kilometer tamped-earth ramp was built to transportA fifteen-kilometer tamped-earth ramp was built to transportmarble and materials to the construction site. According tomarble and materials to the construction site. According tocontemporary accounts teams of twenty or thirty oxen strainedcontemporary accounts teams of twenty or thirty oxen strainedto pull the blocks on specially constructed wagons.to pull the blocks on specially constructed wagons.


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Contd..Contd..

To raise the blocks into position required an elaborate post-To raise the blocks into position required an elaborate post-and-beam pulley system. Teams of mules and oxen providedand-beam pulley system. Teams of mules and oxen providedthe lifting power.the lifting power. The order of construction wasThe order of construction was

The plinthThe plinth

The tombThe tomb The four minaretsThe four minarets

The mosque and jawabThe mosque and jawab

The gatewayThe gateway

The plinth and tomb took roughly 12 years to complete. TheThe plinth and tomb took roughly 12 years to complete. Theremaining parts of the complex took an additional 10 years.remaining parts of the complex took an additional 10 years.


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Few PhotographsFew Photographs
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Taj_Mahal_in_March_2004.jpg


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Taj Mahal
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Taj_Mahal_in_March_2004.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:TajEntryArch.jpg


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Main iwan and side pishtaqs
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:TajEntryArch.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Tombs-in-crypt.jpg


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The actual tombs of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal in the crypt of the TajMahal
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Tombs-in-crypt.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Sambourneagra1860s.jpg


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Photograph of the Taj Mahal by Samuel Bourne, 1860
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Sambourneagra1860s.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Sambourneagra1860s.jpg


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And the Most Important thingAnd the Most Important thingwhich Makes It SPECIAL iswhich Makes It SPECIAL is


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You are Absolutely CorrectYou are Absolutely Correct

Your Evergreen friendYour Evergreen friendVineeth Has VisitedVineeth Has Visited

TajMahal.!TajMahal.!

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Specality of TajMahal