“One Of The Seven Wonders Of The World”
The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum located in Agra, India. It was commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died during childbirth in 1631. Construction of the Taj Mahal began in 1632 and took over 20 years to complete, with the monument being finished in 1653.
It is considered one of the finest examples of Mughal architecture, which is a blend of Islamic, Persian, and Indian styles. The structure is made of white marble and is adorned with intricate carvings and inlaid with precious stones, including jasper, jade, and turquoise.
The Taj Mahal is surrounded by beautiful gardens and a reflecting pool, and it is situated on the banks of the Yamuna River. The monument is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful and iconic structures in the world. It is also considered a symbol of love and devotion, and it has inspired countless works of art and literature.
Visitors to the Taj Mahal can explore the interior of the mausoleum, which houses the tombs of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal. The monument attracts millions of visitors each year and remains a testament to the power of love and the enduring legacy of the Mughal Empire.
But as grand as it sounds the Taj Mahal shrouds many secrets which many people do not know of. Want to know those secrets? Keep reading!
5 Unknown Facts About Taj Mahal
Here are 5 interesting unknown facts about Taj Mahal:
Color-changing illusion
The Taj Mahal changes color depending on the time of day. During the morning, the Taj Mahal appears pinkish in color, while in the afternoon it appears more white, and during sunset, it takes on a golden hue. This color change is due to the reflection and scattering of sunlight on the white marble surface of the monument. The Taj Mahal is also surrounded by beautiful gardens, and there is a network of underground channels that bring cool water from the nearby Yamuna River to help maintain the temperature inside the building.
Politics enveloped in love?
There is a theory that suggests that the Taj Mahal was not solely built as a monument born out of love, but rather as a political statement. Some historians believe that Shah Jahan may have had ulterior motives for building the Taj Mahal, such as projecting his power and wealth to his subjects and neighboring kingdoms. According to this theory, the Taj Mahal was designed to be a grand symbol of Mughal power and dominance, rather than just a monument to love.
Emperor gazing at the monument in his last days
Shah Jahan was imprisoned in the Agra Fort by his son Aurangzeb, who overthrew him in a coup in 1658. Shah Jahan was held captive in the fort for the remaining years of his life until his death in 1666.
During his imprisonment, Shah Jahan was confined to a room in the fort that overlooked the Taj Mahal, which he had commissioned in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. It is said that he spent his days gazing out of the window at the monument, reminiscing about his lost love.
The cursed diamond and Taj
Another legend associated with the Taj Mahal is the curse of the Koh-i-Noor diamond. According to it, the Koh-i-Noor diamond, which was part of the Mughal crown jewels, was taken by the British after the fall of the Mughal Empire. The legend suggests that anyone who possesses the diamond will suffer from bad luck and misfortune, and that the diamond was responsible for the downfall of the Mughal Empire. However, there is no evidence to support the existence of any curse, and the diamond is now part of the British Crown Jewels.
The emperor sleeps there too
Any traveler who plans on going to the Taj Mahal might presume that it shelters the grave of Mumtaz Mahal. Correct, but on top of it, there exists one more tomb. After Shah Jahan's death in 1666, he was buried next to Mumtaz Mahal in a tomb that is identical to hers. The two tombs are located in the main chamber of the Taj Mahal, beneath the main dome, and are surrounded by ornate screens and decorations.
So, these were the hidden stories behind Taj Mahal, a cryptic mystery enveloped in love. It tells you how you can go to a place and still not know everything about it. There are hundreds of mysteries still buried in every marble of the monument, still and silent.
Want to know more such facts about other monuments? Stay tuned for more!
Written By – Anushka Dabhade
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