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 A
grand mausoleum built as the highest tribute to eternal
love and as an exaltation of mans ego -The Taj Mahal
in Agra, India represents the finest illustration of
Safavid style of architecture. In fact the architectural
style of the imposing mausoleum is a unique example
of Indo-Islamic architecture.
Considered to be the ultimate achievement of Mughal
architectural expression, the Taj Mahal in Agra, India
is a dream in pure marble that was specially brought
from Makrana in Rajasthan, India and shaped by a colony
of 20,000 artisans, calligraphers, stone masons and
other craftsmen.
The board of architects who were given the responsibility
to oversee the construction of this wonder monument
were Ustad Ahmed Lahwari, Makramat Khan and Abd ul-Karim
Ma'mur Khan among others. The emperor Shah Jahan was
actively involved in the team of architects.
Muhammed Hanif, the chief mason supervised the workers
onsite. Ismail Khan Afridi, an architect from Turkey,
played a key role in the conception, design and construction
of the dome that crowns the mausoleum. Ghiyasuddin,
a celebrated poet in the Mughal court had the privilege
of composing the epitaphs inscribed on the tombstones
of Emperor Shah Jahan and Empress Mumtaz Mahal.
The architecture of the Taj Mahal is such that it is
a part of a huge complex that consists of a massive
red sandstone entrance that leads to the enthralling
Char Bagh, at the extreme end of which stands the lovely
Taj Mahal perched on a red sandstone platform. The Naqqar
Khana (guesthouse) lies on one side of the monument
and the Masjid (mosque) lies on the other.
The foundations of the Taj Mahal in Agra, India was
laid on solid bases. The workers were made to dig till
they reached the water level and then the entire space
was carefully filled with lime mortar and stone to create
the "Chameli farsh" that formed the foundation
of the red sandstone platform that supports the fabulous
Taj Mahal. The superstructure was the main consideration
while the foundation was being constructed such that
each pier of the monument rests on a lime and mortar
well that are connected by massive arches.
The pietra dura (inlay) work done with precious stones
like jade, lapis, amethyst, garnet, coral, onyx, sapphire,
jasper, lazuli and other varieties of colorful semi-precious
and precious stones on the pure white marble is done
with such finesse that one cannot distinguish till date
where the precious stone actually separates from the
marble, as though the floral motifs and geometrical
designs are not inlaid in stone but have been printed
on it.
So come and experience the undying feeling of love
that bonds human beings in a positive string at the
Taj Mahal in Agra, India with About Taj Mahal. Be enthralled
at the way the pure white marble seems to reflect the
hues of the changing phases during the day.
About Taj Mahal offers online tour booking for Taj
Mahal tours. For more details please enter your query
in the form provided below.
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