The Taj Mahal, Agra
The Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most famous monuments in India. It is a white marble mausoleum built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. It is located in Agra, a major city in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.
Timings for visitors:
History of Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal has a rich and fascinating history. It was commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to house the remains of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died in childbirth in 1631. The construction took 22 years and involved 20,000 workers and 1,000 elephants. The mausoleum is made of white marble and decorated with precious stones and calligraphy. It is regarded as the best example of Mughal architecture and a symbol of India’s rich history.
The Taj Mahal is part of a larger complex that includes a mosque, a guest house, a gateway, and a garden. The complex reflects the Mughal style of blending Persian, Islamic, and Indian elements. The Taj Mahal is also influenced by the earlier monuments built by the Mughals, such as the Red Fort and the Humayun’s Tomb.
How much did it cost to build Taj Mahal?
According to various sources, the cost of building the Taj Mahal was around 32 million rupees at the time of its completion in 1653. This would be equivalent to about 70 billion rupees or 1 billion US dollars in 2020. The cost included the materials, labor, transportation, and decoration of the complex. The Taj Mahal was one of the most expensive projects ever undertaken by any sovereign or government.
Who designed Taj Mahal?
The designer of the Taj Mahal is not conclusively known, but the most widely accepted name is Ustad Ahmad Lahori, a Persian architect who was in the court of Shah Jahan. He is credited as the chief architect or plan drawer of the Taj Mahal, based on a seventeenth century manuscript and other historical sources. He was also involved in the design of the Red Fort at Delhi.
There are some other theories that suggest different architects, such as Geronimo Vereneo, an Italian, or Ustad Isa, another Persian, but they are not well supported by evidence.
How long did it take to build Taj Mahal?
The construction of the Taj Mahal took about 22 years in total, from 1632 to 1653. The main tomb was completed in 1648, while the mosque, gateway, minarets, and gardens took another 5 years to finish.
The Taj Mahal was built by Shah Jahan as a tribute to his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died in childbirth in 1631. He employed about 20,000 artisans and a board of architects led by Ustad Ahmad Lahori to create this magnificent monument.
Dos and Don'ts inside Tajmahal
| Do's | Don'ts |
|---|---|
| Tourists must co-operate in keeping the monument neat & clean by using dustbins. | Drone camera is strictly prohibited inside and around the Taj Mahal. |
| Tourists are advised to hire approved guides & photographers who exhibit their identity cards. | Eating and smoking is strictly prohibited inside Taj Mahal. Arms, ammunitions, fire, smoking items, tobacco products, liquor, eatables (Toffees), head phones, knives, wire, mobile charger, electric goods (except camera), Tripods are also prohibited. |
| Taj Museum inside Taj Mahal Complex opens from 10.00 AM to 5.00 PM, entry free. | Mobile phones are to be kept switched off or on silent mode. Please avoid carrying big bags and books inside the monument, this may increase your security check time. Avoid touching & scratching the walls & surfaces of the monument as these are heritage sites and need special care. |
| No Polluting vehicles are allowed within 500 mts. radius of Taj Mahal. Parking Facility is available at Shilpgram for east gate entry & at Amrood ka Teela for west gate entry. | Photography is prohibited inside the main mausoleum. Avoid touching & scratching the walls & surfaces of the monument as these are heritage sites and need special care. |
| From parking to Taj Mahal gate battery buses & golf carts are available. | Above mentioned list of prohibited items along with mobile phones are banned for night viewing of the Taj Mahal. Video camera, extra batteries are prohibited though still camera is permitted after the security check for night viewing of Taj Mahal. |
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