TheTaj Mahal It is one of the most famous and admired monuments in India and the world. So it is not surprising that it is also one of the tourist attractions that each year attracts more than 7 million visitors. It is one of the most important architectural wonders of the Mughal Empire and is still standing in all its beauty. But it also houses one of the most powerful and famous testimonies of love.
However, despite being one of the most recognizable monuments in the world, it also hides many fascinating facts that very few know about. Here are some of them, and they are sure to give you many reasons to visit. theTaj Mahal on your next trip.
11 Curiosities about the Taj Mahal that you should know
1. Why is it known as a symbol of love?
Unlike many famous buildings in the world that are dedicated to important leaders, the Taj Mahl is a tribute to love. It was specifically built by Emperor Shah Jahan to honor his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Who died giving birth to her fourteenth child, after 30 hours of labor at 40 years of age.
Although Shah Jahan had many wives, who were also buried in the same complex, Mumtaz Majal was his favorite wife. So, without a doubt, behind its construction this monument has a romantic and tragic history. Which has been recognized around the world as one of the most romantic gestures in history.
2. The Taj Mahal is one of the seven wonders of the modern world
Through the New Open World Corporation foundation run by Swiss tycoon Bernard Weber. In 2007, a contest was organized in which people from all over the world voted to choose the new seven wonders of the world. resulting theTaj Mahal one of them, with more than 100 million votes.
It was an initiative that was taken as a basis, the fact that all the ancient wonders of the world, except the pyramid of Cheops, had been destroyed.
Although this is not the only important recognition that has been given to this monument to love. Well, since 1983 it has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
3. It has Islamic calligraphy inscriptions all over it
In several places of the Taj Mahal, including the Tomb of Queen Mumtaz Mahal and Emperor Shah Jahan, we can see plaques with calligraphic inscriptions in Arabic, which are texts or passages from the Koran. Which were created with the black marble inlay technique for the letters, on the white background of the walls.
These inscriptions were designed by the Persian calligrapher Amanat Khan Shirazi. Who, by the way, left his signature on several of the panels and was also in charge of choosing the passages from the Koran to place.
The calligrapher left a very humble signature which can be translated as “Written by the insignificant being Amanat Khan Shirazi”. But the most prominent inscription is surely the one on the great gate. Which says the following: “O soul, you are at rest. Return to the Lord in peace with him, and he in peace with you.”
4. Cars and buses must stay at least 500 meters from the Taj Mahal.
Since the late 1980s, the area where this monument is located has had a major air pollution problem. Caused mainly by heavy vehicle traffic and the activity of chemical industries and refineries located in nearby areas. So, the white marble of the Taj Mahal is turning yellow due to this problem.
Therefore, to reduce the harmful effects caused by air pollution, several measures were taken. Among them the prohibition of car and bus traffic within 500 meters of the entrance. Only electric vehicles are allowed near the structure, and a 4,000-square-mile environmental radius has been declared around the monument to try to control emissions.
For their part, those who visit the monument must do so on foot or can take electric buses from the parking area to the Taj Mahal.
5. How long did it take to build it?
To complete this impressive work of architecture, its construction took about 22 years, beginning in 1632 and ending in approximately 1653. Although some refinements were made after its completion. It is estimated that more than 22,000 people participated in the construction project, including workers, stonemasons, painters, embroiderers, calligraphers, and others. Likewise, more than 1,000 elephants were used.
6. The Taj Mahal is full of precious stones and marble
A total of 28 types of precious and semi-precious jewels were set in the marble. Among them, turquoise came from Tibet and jade was brought from China. While white marble, which was the main building material, was brought from Rajasthan. The emperor would have commissioned marble from Rajasthan, as it supposedly looks pink in the morning, white in the afternoon, and milky at night.
7. Its main characteristics
One of the most recognizable features of the Taj Mahal is its large white dome, which is known as an «onion dome» due to its shape. It stands approximately 35 meters (115 feet) tall and is surrounded by 4 smaller domes. For its part, the total height of the Taj Mahal is 171 meters (561 feet).
In general, the Taj Mahal complex includes a large garden, a reflecting pool, a mosque and other mausoleums, occupying an area of 17 hectares.
8. Who built it?
Although it is well known that this work was a tribute from Emperor Shah Jahan to his wife Mumtaz Mahal. What few people know is that this wonder of the world was commissioned from the court architect Ustad Ahmad Lahori. Who would use a combination of Islamic, Persian and Indian styles in its construction to obtain one of the most beautiful buildings in the world.
As a curious fact and to the surprise of many, Ustad Ahmad Lahori was not Indian, he was a Persian from Iran. On the other hand, it is said that when the works were finished, the emperor assassinated this architect so that he could not make another building like it.
9. How much did the Taj Mahal cost to build?
The construction of the Taj Mahal is said to have cost approximately 32 million Indian rupees. Which is equivalent to more than a billion dollars if its current value is calculated. Above all, if we also take into account the change in the price of marble from one era to another.
10. Own a working mosque
As we have already mentioned theTaj Mahal it contains a mosque and is in operation. Therefore, it is closed on Fridays for prayer. So, as it is an active religious structure, respect must be shown during the visit. Dress appropriately, despite the heat.
11. The Taj Mahal was not going to be built in Agra
This monument was supposed to be built in Burhanpur, where Emperor Shah Jahan’s beloved wife died. But when planning the construction it was not possible to supply enough white marble to Burhanpur. Therefore, it was decided to build theTaj Mahal in Agra, where he is currently.