Taj mahal architecture

This story originally appeared on For first-time visitors to India, it’s almost impossible to skip the Optical illusions can be spotted everywhere The architects and craftsmen of the Taj Mahal were masters of proportions and tricks of the eye. When you first approach the main gate that frames the Taj, for example, the monument appears incredibly close and large. But as you get closer, it shrinks in size—exactly the opposite of what you’d expect. And although the minarets surrounding the tomb look perfectly upright, the towers actually lean outward, which serves both form and function: in addition to providing aesthetic balance, the pillars would crumble away from the main crypt in a disaster like an earthquake. The most famous myth is probably false According to a popular legend, Shah Jahan wanted desperately for the mausoleum to be an exquisite masterpiece without an equal. To ensure no one could recreate the Taj Mahal’s beauty, Shah Jahan supposedly severed the hands and gouged the eyes of the artisans and craftsmen. Despite the prevalence of this gruesome tale, historians have found no evidence to support the story—though it does heighten the drama of the romantic tragedy. Both of the cenotaphs are empty Tomb in Taj Mahal IVANVIEITO / iStock Inside the Taj Mahal, the cenotaphs honoring Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan are enclosed in an eight-sided chamber ornamented with pietra dura (an inlay with semi-precious stones) and a marble lattice screen. But the gorgeous monuments...

In 1607 ( The intervening years had seen Khurrum take two other wives known as Akbarabadi Mahal and Kandahari Mahal, but according to the official court chronicler Qazwini, the relationship with his other wives "had little more than the status of marriage. The intimacy, deep affection, attention and favour which His Majesty had for the Cradle of Excellence [Mumtaz] lacked by a thousand times what he felt for any other." The Taj Mahal complex can be conveniently divided into five sections: • The 'moonlight garden' (Mehtab Bagh) to the north of the river Yamuna. • The riverfront terrace, containing the Mausoleum, Mosque and Guest House. • The Charbagh Garden containing pavilions. • The Naubat Khana (Drum House) at the western and eastern sides of the Garden. The western Naubat Khana is converted into a museum. • The jilaukhana (forecourt) containing accommodation for the tomb attendants and two subsidiary tombs. • The Taj Ganji, originally a bazaar and caravanserai only traces of which are still preserved. The great gate lies between the jilaukhana and the garden. Levels gradually descend in steps from the Taj Ganji towards the river. Contemporary descriptions of the complex list the elements in order from the river terrace towards the Taj Ganji. Precedents [ ] Mughal tombs [ ] The erection of Mughal tombs to honour the dead was the subject of a theological debate conducted in part, through built architecture over several centuries. For the majority of Muslims, the spiritual...

Nationality Occupation Architect Buildings Signature Ustad Ahmad Lahori ( c.1580–1649) Ahmad Ma'mar Lahori was the chief Considered greatest of the Nadir-ul-Asar (wonder of the age) from Shah Jahan. Life [ ] The Shah Jahan's court histories emphasize his personal involvement in the construction and it is true that, more than any other Mughal emperor, he showed the greatest interest in building new magnificent buildings, holding daily meetings with his architects and supervisors. The court chronicler, • ^ a b Curl, James Stevens; Wilson, Susan (2015). The Oxford Dictionary of Architecture. Oxford University Press. p.11. 978-0-19-967498-5. • Yasin, Mohammad; Yasin, Madhvi (1988). Reading in Indian History. Atlantic Publishers & Distri. p.89. • ^ a b c d Khan (Arshi), I. N. (28 August 2015). BLACK TAJ MAHAL: The Emperor's Missing Tomb. Black Taj Project. p.38. 978-81-927479-0-3. • ^ a b Necipoğlu, Gülru (1 March 1996). The Topkapi Scroll: Geometry and Ornament in Islamic Architecture. Getty Publications. p.155. 978-0-89236-335-3. • New7Wonders of the World. 13 July 2016 . Retrieved 15 June 2022. • The Sikh Courier:Volumes 9-12. Sikh Cultural Society of Great Britain. 1977. p.16. Nadir-ul-Asar Ahmad Mimar Lahori Shahjehani was also a Punjabi who designed the Taj Mahal of Agra • Janin, Hunt (2006). The Pursuit of Learning in the Islamic World, 610-2003. p.124. 978-0786429042 . Retrieved 17 November 2021. • Marmaduke William Pickthall, Muhammad Asad (1974). Islamic Culture: Volu...

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When it comes to learning about the history of a new destination, travelers should look no further than its iconic buildings. Of course, there are other ways to discover the local culture, which can be reflected in the Consider this lineup to be a travel bucket list of sorts. These buildings are renowned for various reasons—some for their architectural charm, others for their historical significance, and some for a healthy mix of both. A fair amount of them are well-known, of course: Think Europe’s AD rounds up iconic buildings from around the world that you’ll be glad you’ve seen when you look back on your travels. It’s been said that travel is the only thing you can buy that makes you richer, and we couldn’t agree more. 1. Hagia Sophia — Istanbul, Turkey

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