Taj Mahal (ताज महल) 'The Crown of the Palace'

One of the Seven wonders of the world, Taj Mahal is an absolutely beautiful sight.

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Built by Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan, in 1631, to house the tomb of his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died on 17 June, 1631, giving birth to his 14th child, who was emperor's closest companion since their marriage in 1612.

This ivory-white marble mausoleum is located on the southern(right) bank of river Yamuna in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India, in a land encompasses 17 hectare(42-acre). The building complex include a mosque, guesthouse and a beautiful garden.

According to UNESCO, "Taj Mahal is the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage", which they designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. It is the finest masterpiece of Mughal architecture, with a blend of Indian, Persian and Islamic styles.

Construction which started in 1631, was completed in 1658. It is believed to have cost ₹32 million, which in 2020 would be approximately ₹70 billion (about US $1 billion). Estimated 22,000 artisans from various parts of India, central Asia as well as Iran, worked under the guidance of a board of architects led by the court architect to the emperor, Ustad Ahmad Lahauri.

Materials for construction was brought from various parts of India and Asia. White marble was brought from Makrana, Rajasthan, Jasper from Punjab, Jade and Crystal from China, Sapphire from Sri Lanka, Carnelian from Arabia, Turquoise from Tibet and Lapis lazuli from Afghanistan.

The main gateway (darwaza) is located at the southern end of the complex. This two storied red sandstone structure consists of white marble paneling with black Quranic lettering and floral motifs around the archway which mirror the shape of the tomb's archway.

The Mughal garden follows the charbagh layout(Persian and Indo-Persian quadrilateral garden layout based on the four gardens of Paradise mentioned in the Quran). 300m(980feet) square garden is divided into 16 sunken parterres or flowerbeds using raised pathways.

The reflection pool is positioned on a north-south axis. An elevated marble water tank is situated halfway between tomb and the gateway, called Hawd al-Kawthar (Tank of Abundance)

The majestic central dome is the most spectacular feature of the tomb.Rising around 35m(115feet) this onion shaped dome sits on a cylindrical drum which is around 7m(23feet) high. Four smaller domed chattris(kiosks) are placed at four corners, which replicate the shape of the main dome. The acoustics inside the main dome cause the single note of a flute to reverberate five times.

The top is decorated with a lotus design. The tip of the finial reaches a height of 73m(240feet). Originally made of gold, the main finial was replaced by an identical copy made of gilded bronze in the early 19th century. The finial is topped by a moon, a typical Islamic motif whose horns point heavenward.

The exterior of the building is decorated with different decorative elements according to the Islamic prohibition of using anthropomorphic forms. As surface area changes, the decorations are refined proportionally.

Decorative elements consists of calligraphy, abstract forms and vegetative motifs. Painting, stucco, carvings and stone inlays are used to create the decorative elements. The inlay stones are of yellow marble, jasper and jade, polished and levelled to the surface of the walls.

Photography is not allowed inside the main chamber. The octagonal marble chamber with entry from each face contains the cenotaphs of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan, placed on rectangular platform. The octagonal marble lattice screen with highly polished and richly decorated inlay work displays exquisite workmanship. The interior walls are about 25m(82feet) high, topped with a false interior dome decorated with motif. The actual sarcophagi of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan are located at a lower level.

Four minarets are located in four corners each about 40m(130feet) high, each divided by two working balconies ring around the tower to three equal parts. Top of the tower is designed with chattris containing same lotus design decorative elements as in the main dome and topped by a gilded finial.

Minarets are used by muezzin to call the Islamic faithful to prayers, and a traditional element of mosques. The minarets were constructed slightly outside of the plinth, so in the event of a collapse, it would fall away from the tomb.

Keeping up with the Symmetry there are two red sandstone buildings on the Eastern and Western sides of the main building. The one on the Western side is the mosque.

The one on the Eastern side is the jawab, constructed for architectural balance and later used as a guesthouse.

Environment pollution has been a major threat to the Taj Mahal recently. Pollution has been turning Taj Mahal yellow-brown. An area of 10,400 square kilometres(4000 sq. miles) has been declared as "Taj Trapezium Zone"(TTZ) by Indian government in 1996 to safeguard 40 protected monuments, including three UNESCO world heritage sites - Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri. Use of cola/coke is banned in industries located within TTZ. Use of fossil fuelled vehicles are also banned near Taj Mahal, visitors are required to park their vehicles in the car park and ride the electric vehicle from car park to Taj Mahal.

Taj Mahal attracts around 7-8 million visitors every year. There are three category of tickets available, cheapest for the Indian nationals, SAARC and BIMSTEC countries fall in to the second tier and other foreign tourists falls under the most expensive tier.