Taj Mahal and inspiration for the architecture and later monuments built during the Mughal period. Well it would be better to say that Taj Mahal is an inspired monument. It got inspired from the earliar monuments. During the Mughal era or the periods of Sultanate do present many such monuments that can be the roots to inspire the Taj Mahal.
The architecture, craft, artistic endeavor and the location of Taj Mahal is a great inspiration for many other buildings later. Taj Mahal and inspiration to build such a monument originated from the promise of a deprived husband to his beloved wife in her last moments.
Why Taj Mahal was Built
The main reason behind the monument is to bury the Empress Mumtaj Mahal of India. Mumtaj Mahal was called Arjumand Banu Beghum before the marriage with Shah Jahan, the 5th Mughal Emperor of India. They met in a market where only family members of nobles and minister of court could sell their products to the members of the Royal Family.
Shah Jahan earned this title after controlling the rebellion of Deccan from his father as the Emperor of the earth. His childhood name was Prince Khurram. It was a tradition in the Mughals to change or add title or name after any auspicious or important occasions.
After marriage to Mumtaj Mahal they lived together for around 19 years. Mumtaj mahal is said to have serious bleeding during the birth of her 14th child. After the birth of the baby, a girl child, she could escape few moments to talk to her husband.
The promise She made her husband to keep.
Mumtaj Mahal was lying on her bed while Shah Jahan asked, if there is something he could do, in response she told him not to have children from his other wives. Take care of their children, and make a beautiful tomb, that would tell the future generation of their immortal love.
She died on 17th June 1631 and buried in Buhranpur and later buried in Agra where the tomb was constructed under the direct supervision of the Emperor. He was so much depressed after the death of his wife that he almost left eating and sleeping properly. He closed himself in a room for eight days and did not meet anyone. Shah Jahan remained in mourn for about two years but the promise to build a tomb slowly attracted his all attention towards it.
The Design and the Architect of the Taj Mahal
Taj mahal is inspired from many other monuments as these old buildings are easily identifiable in Taj Mahal. The first building which is almost the same is the Humayun tomb in Delhi. The tomb is related to the great grand father of Shah Jahan. Humayun was the eldest son of Babur and became the 2nd Mughal Emperor of India in 1530. His tomb built by his wife after nine years of his death in 1556.
It is in the middle of the garden which make the squares into the squares divided by pathways and water channels. The same style of garden tomb had been constructed by Shah jahan with some differences to make it unique. In Delhi there is a Lodi Garden built by Sikander Lodi could give you many artistic and architectural similarities that were used in the Tomb Of Taj Mahal.
Structure of Taj Mahal
The structure of Taj Mahal is the same as appeared in Humayun Tomb, tomb of Sikander Lodi, tomb of Isa khan Tomb of Akbar in Sikandra, and tomb of Jahangir In Lahore. The similarities are, they are inspired from the Persian architects. standing on high rising Platform, central high,indepth arch with calligraphy on its border panels. Appearing the same from front, side and back equally.
The corner arch in double story appearance and the entrance or big Arch always in the center. these were made to provide corner chamber to hold the main central chamber. The main hall was octagonal in shape and lifting up to strengthen the dome.
In the old time there were many use of beam and lintel to hold the ceiling. But many architects from Arabian and Persian origins brought with them the arch and dome. Taj Mahal and inspiration to build a unique yet Islamic and similar to the ancestral tomb design. It took them around two years to finalize the design of Taj Mahal. Starting from the death of Mumtaj Mahal in 1631 the construction of Taj Mahal ended almost 22 years in 1653.
To complete the Taj it took only 17 years but the other parts of the complex took another five years. Then the symbol of Love the Great Mughal architectural marvel completed in 1653. This beautiful tomb is one among the new 7 wonders of the world.
Shah Jahan died in 1666 and buried inside the Taj Mahal. The true lovers got united after leaving this mortal life.
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Thank you very much for your nice feedback.