Tajmahal - Why is it a Wonder? | Where is it? | Full Story

Taj Mahal is an ivory-white marble mausoleum known to be constructed by the Moghul emperor Shahjahan in the 17th century in memory of his favorite wife Mumtaz Mahal after she died.

It is widely known as the most beautiful buildings in the world. It is one of the biggest tourist attractions of India.

Tajmahal was listed as one of the seven wonders of the world in 2007 and is listed as one of the world heritage sites in the list of UNESCO.

It is one of the most noticeable architectures built by the Moghuls in India.

    pic courtesy: indianexpress.com

Tajmahal kis Nadi ke kinare sthit hai (Tajmahal is located on which riverbank? )

Tajmahal is located on the south bank of river Yamuna in India.

Tajmahal Kahan per hai (where is Tajmahal located? )

It is located in the city of Agra in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. 

Construction:

Tajmahal is said to be influenced by designs from middle eastern, Indian, Turkish, and Ottoman architecture.

Materials from around the world were used in the construction of the Taj mahal and a total of 20,000 workers were involved in moving and building this monument.

Construction of the Taj Mahal was completed in 1648 and the monument is believed to be about 6000 feet.

It was commissioned in 1632 and was completed in its entirety in 1653. It houses the tomb of his loving wife Mumtaz Mahal and also tomb of himself.

The tomb is the centerpiece of a 17 hectare (42 acres) complex. Taj Mahal complex includes a mosque, a guest house and is set in formal gardens bounded on three sides by a boundary wall.

Construction of the mausoleum was completed in 1643 but work on other parts of the complex went on for another 10 years and in 1653, the Taj Mahal was completed as a whole project.

The cost of building the Taj Mahal back then in 1633-1653 is estimated to be 32 million rupees which in today's value in 2020 will be approximately 70 billion rupees (USD 956 million).

It is said that about 20,000 artisans were employed to construct this beautiful monument and after its completion, emperor Shahjahan ordered both hands of all the artisans be chopped off at wrists to ensure no other similar monument will ever be built.

The main architect for this wonderful piece of art is known to be the lead architect of the emperor Ustad Ahmad Lahauri.

Tours:

Tourists from around the world come to India to see this magnificent creation which depicts the story of the love of emperor Shahjahan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal.

Over 7 to 8 million visitors come every year to visit the Taj mahal.

Love Story:

It is believed that Shahjahan built the Taj mahal in memory of his fourth wife, he had 7 in total who he married after murdering her ex-husband.

Mumtaz Mahal died while giving birth to Shahjahan's 14th child and soon after her death, Shahjahan married her sister in few days.

The Book "The Naked Mughals: Forbidden Tales of Harem and Butchery (Reviving Indian History)" written by Vashi Sharma is available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle versions.

The book gives more insight on not only emperor Shahjahan but also other Moghul rulers, their lives, and deep insight into stories that are not commonly known by current civilization. 

Below are some of the reviews the book has received:

- Eye opener
- Actual facts about Moghuls, not fantasy history taught in Indian schools
- Gives a different eye-opening perspective
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