Do you know who built Taj Mahal? What is exactly Taj Mahal?

1st Question: Do you know who built Taj Mahal? 1st Answer: Taj Mahal was built by a Muslim, Emperor Shah Jahan (died 1666 C.E.) in the memory of his dear wife and queen Mumtaz Mahal at Agra, India. It is an "elegy in marble" or some say an expression of a "dream." Taj Mahal (meaning Crown Palace) is a Mausoleum that houses the grave of queen Mumtaz Mahal at the lower chamber. The grave of Shah Jahan was added to it later. The queen’s real name was Arjumand Banu. In the tradition of the Mughals, important ladies of the royal family were given another name at their marriage or at some other significant event in their lives, and that new name was commonly used by the public. Shah Jahan's real name was Shahab-ud-din, and he was known as Prince Khurram before ascending to the throne in 1628. 2nd Question: What is exactly Taj Mahal? 2nd Answer: Taj Mahal is regarded as one of the eight wonders of the world, and some Western historians have noted that its architectural beauty has never been surpassed. The Taj is the most beautiful monument built by the Mughals, the Muslim rulers of India. Taj Mahal is built entirely of white marble. Its stunning architectural beauty is beyond adequate description, particularly at dawn and sunset. The Taj seems to glow in the light of the full moon. On a foggy morning, the visitors experience the Taj as if suspended when viewed from across the Jamuna river. Taj Mahal was constructed over a period of twenty-two years, employing twenty thousand workers. It was completed in 1648 C.E. at a cost of 32 Million Rupees. The construction documents show that its master architect was Ustad ‘Isa, the renowned Islamic architect of his time. The documents contain names of those employed and the inventory of construction materials and their origin. Expert craftsmen from Delhi, Qannauj, Lahore, and Multan were employed. In addition, many renowned Muslim craftsmen from Baghdad, Shiraz and Bukhara worked on many specialized tasks. The Taj stands on a raised, square platform (186 x 186 feet) with its four corners truncated, forming an unequal octagon. The architectural design uses the interlocking arabesque concept, in which each element stands on its own and perfectly integrates with the main structure. It uses the principles of self-replicating geometry and a symmetry of architectural elements. Its central dome is fifty-eight feet in diameter and rises to a height of 213 feet. It is flanked by four subsidiary domed chambers. The four graceful, slender minarets are 162.5 feet each. The entire mausoleum (inside as well as outside) is decorated with inlaid design of flowers and calligraphy using precious gems such as agate and jasper. The main archways, chiseled with passages from the Holy Qur’an and the bold scroll work of flowery pattern, give a captivating charm to its beauty. The central domed chamber and four adjoining chambers include many walls and panels of Islamic decoration. The mausoleum is a part of a vast complex comprising of a main gateway, an elaborate garden, a mosque (to the left), a guest house (to the right), and several other palatial buildings. The Taj is at the farthest end of this complex, with the river Jamuna behind it. The large garden contains four reflecting pools dividing it at the center. Each of these four sections is further subdivided into four sections and then each into yet another four sections. Like the Taj, the garden elements serve like Arabesque, standing on their own and also constituting the whole.

Ustad Ahmad Lahauri. In 1631, Shah Jahan, emperor during Mughal's period of greatest prosperity, was griefstricken when his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, died during the birth of their fourteenth child, Gauhara Begum.[3] The court chronicles of Shah Jahan's grief illustrates the love story traditionally held as an inspiration for Taj Mahal.[4] [5] The construction of Taj Mahal begun soon after Mumtaz's death with the principal mausoleum completed in 1648. The surrounding buildings and garden were finished five years later. Visiting Agra in 1663, French traveller François Bernier wrote: I shall finish this letter with a description of the two wonderful mausoleums which constitute the chief superiority of Agra over Delhi. One was erected by Jehan-guyre [sic] in honour of his father Ekbar; and Chah-Jehan raised the other to the memory of his wife Tage Mehale, that extraordinary and celebrated beauty, of whom her husband was so enamoured it is said that he was constant to her during life, and at her death was so affected as nearly to follow her to the grave.[6] Tomb of Humayun shares similar patterns with Taj MahalThe Taj Mahal incorporates and expands on design traditions of Persian and earlier Mughal architecture. Specific inspiration came from successful Timurid and Mughal buildings including the Gur-e Amir (the tomb of Timur, progenitor of the Mughal dynasty, in Samarkand),[7] Humayun's Tomb, Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb (sometimes called the Baby Taj), and Shah Jahan's own Jama Masjid in Delhi. While earlier Mughal buildings were primarily constructed of red sandstone, Shah Jahan promoted use of white marble inlaid with semi-precious stones and buildings under his patronage reached new levels of refinement.[8]. Soon after Taj Mahal's completion, Shah Jahan was deposed and put under house arrest at nearby Agra Fort by his son Aurangzeb. Legend has it that he spent the remainder of his days gazing at the Taj Mahal. Upon Shah Jahan's death, Aurangzeb buried him in the Taj Mahal next to his wife. By late 19th century, parts of Taj Mahal had fallen badly into disrepair. Protective wartime scaffoldingDuring the time of Indian rebellion of 1857, Taj Mahal faced defacement by British soldiers and government officials, who chiseled out precious stones and lapis lazuli from its walls. At the end of 19th century British viceroy Lord Curzon ordered a massive restoration project, completed in 1908. He also commissioned the large lamp in interior chamber, modelled based on one in a Cairo mosque. It was during this time the garden was remodelled with British looking lawns that are visible today. In 1942, the government erected a scaffolding in anticipation of an air attack by German Luftwaffe and later by Japanese Air Force. During the India-Pakistan wars of 1965 and 1971, scaffoldings were erected to mislead bomber pilots. Its recent threats came from environmental pollution on the banks of Yamuna River including acid rain due to Mathura oil refinery, which was opposed by Supreme Court of India directives. In 1983, Taj Mahal was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Emperor Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal for his wife Muntaj(also Muntaz) Mahal

Hi, Well Taj Mahal is made by Shah Jahan.Its a very famous just because it is made of marbles completely and it is among the seven wonders of the world. WITH BEST WISHES SHISHIR

The Taj Mahal (Devanagari: ताज महल, Nastaliq: تاج محل) is a mausoleum located in Agra, India, that was built under Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal (also "the Taj") is considered as the finest example of Mughal architecture, a style that combines elements from Persian, Turkish, Indian, and Islamic architectural styles. In 1983, Taj Mahal became a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was cited as "the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage." While the white domed marble mausoleum is most familiar, Taj Mahal is an integrated complex of structures and was completed around 1648. Ustad Ahmad Lahauri is generally considered as the principal designer of Taj Mahal.

it was built by shah-jahan in the 16th century!!!!!!!

Taj Mahal was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan (Prince Khuram) in 16th cent for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal (Arjumand Banu Begum).Her last wish while dieing to her husband was "to build a tomb in her memory such as the world had never seen before".Taj Mahal took 17 years to be completed that is from AD 1631 to AD 1648 including 20,000 workers. Taj Mahal is the symbol of love.it is made up of white marble. the materials required for the construction was brought from all over india & central asia which took a fleet of 1000 elephants to transport it to the site.

Ustad Ahmad Lahauri. In 1631, Shah Jahan, emperor during Mughal's period of greatest prosperity, was griefstricken when his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, died during the birth of their fourteenth child, Gauhara Begum.[3] The court chronicles of Shah Jahan's grief illustrates the love story traditionally held as an inspiration for Taj Mahal.[4] [5] The construction of Taj Mahal begun soon after Mumtaz's death with the principal mausoleum completed in 1648. The surrounding buildings and garden were finished five years later. Visiting Agra in 1663, French traveller François Bernier wrote: I shall finish this letter with a description of the two wonderful mausoleums which constitute the chief superiority of Agra over Delhi. One was erected by Jehan-guyre [sic] in honour of his father Ekbar; and Chah-Jehan raised the other to the memory of his wife Tage Mehale, that extraordinary and celebrated beauty, of whom her husband was so enamoured it is said that he was constant to her during life, and at her death was so affected as nearly to follow her to the grave.[6] Tomb of Humayun shares similar patterns with Taj MahalThe Taj Mahal incorporates and expands on design traditions of Persian and earlier Mughal architecture. Specific inspiration came from successful Timurid and Mughal buildings including the Gur-e Amir (the tomb of Timur, progenitor of the Mughal dynasty, in Samarkand),[7] Humayun's Tomb, Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb (sometimes called the Baby Taj), and Shah Jahan's own Jama Masjid in Delhi. While earlier Mughal buildings were primarily constructed of red sandstone, Shah Jahan promoted use of white marble inlaid with semi-precious stones and buildings under his patronage reached new levels of refinement.[8]. Soon after Taj Mahal's completion, Shah Jahan was deposed and put under house arrest at nearby Agra Fort by his son Aurangzeb. Legend has it that he spent the remainder of his days gazing at the Taj Mahal. Upon Shah Jahan's death, Aurangzeb buried him in the Taj Mahal next to his wife. By late 19th century, parts of Taj Mahal had fallen badly into disrepair. Protective wartime scaffoldingDuring the time of Indian rebellion of 1857, Taj Mahal faced defacement by British soldiers and government officials, who chiseled out precious stones and lapis lazuli from its walls. At the end of 19th century British viceroy Lord Curzon ordered a massive restoration project, completed in 1908. He also commissioned the large lamp in interior chamber, modelled based on one in a Cairo mosque. It was during this time the garden was remodelled with British looking lawns that are visible today. In 1942, the government erected a scaffolding in anticipation of an air attack by German Luftwaffe and later by Japanese Air Force. During the India-Pakistan wars of 1965 and 1971, scaffoldings were erected to mislead bomber pilots. Its recent threats came from environmental pollution on the banks of Yamuna River including acid rain due to Mathura oil refinery, which was opposed by Supreme Court of India directives. In 1983, Taj Mahal was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

How dumb can you be?Are you really an Indian?All Indians grow up by hearing of the beauty and glory of the Taj and Emperor Shah Jahan's undying love. The Taj was of course built by Shah Jahan. All great deeds are sure to be criticised and remember my friend,however glorious your deeds maybe,there are always the critics who will find some fault or the other with it.The same applies for the Taj. Only after unearthing solid,conclusive proof our historians and scholars affirm that the Taj was indubitably built by Shah Jahan. Let's see, the Taj primarily has Muslim and Persian architecture.So,why in hell would a Rajput do that? You also wanted to know what exactly the Taj was.Here I go: Before it became the name of one of the world's most beautiful buildings, Taj Mahal was the name of a woman. She was Arjumand Banu Begum (begum is a title for a Muslim woman of high social rank), the favorite wife of Shah Jahan, who was the Muslim ruler of India's Mughal Empire from 1628 to 1658. He affectionately called her Mumtaz Mahal, meaning “ornament of the palace.” The name Taj Mahal came from this term of endearment and was given to the mausoleum he built for her. The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum, a burial place. Jahan and his wife were married in 1612, and she was his inseparable companion until her death in childbirth in 1631. His grief led him to design and construct as magnificent a building as possible for her final resting place. Later Jahan also was buried there. The mausoleum is set within a large complex of gardens and other buildings, enclosed within a high red sandstone wall with octagonal turrets at the corners. The Taj Majal stands on a square marble base 312 feet (95 meters) per side and 23 feet (7 meters) high. The building is a square of 186 feet (57 meters) per side with grooved corners and a massive arch in each face, rising to a height of 108 feet (33 meters). Atop the entire building is a large, onion-shaped dome. It is supported on a tall drum, and the top stands 243 feet (74 meters) above garden level. There are parapets over each arch. At each corner of the base stands a three-story minaret or the narrow tower, about 138 feet (42 meters) tall. The whole building is covered in pure white Makrana marble. Inside the building is an eight-sided room with monuments to Jahan and his wife. The actual tombs are in a vault below, at garden level.It was on the south bank of the Yamuna River, outside the city of Agra, that Jahan decided to erect his memorial. The whole complex is a rectangle measuring 1,900 feet (580 meters) by 1,000 feet (305 meters), aligned north and south. In the center of the rectangle is a garden area 1,000 feet on a side, leaving an oblong area at each end. At the south is the sandstone gateway and other buildings. At the north end is the mausoleum, flanked on each side by identical buildings. One is a mosque, and the other is called its jawab, or duplicate. These are made of red sandstone with marble necked domes and some surface decoration.The construction of the Taj Mahal took 22 years, from 1632 to 1654. More than 20,000 workers labored daily to complete the mausoleum itself by 1643. A council of architects was called in from India, Persia, and other places. Credit for the final plan is usually given to Ustad Isa, who was either Turkish or Persian. But there is some uncertainty about who really drew the plans. It may have been a Turkish architect, Isa Muhammad Effendi, a pupil of the greatest Turkish architect of his time, Sinan. Or it could have been a Venetian named Geronimo Veroneo. Much of the decoration, apart from geometrical designs, consists of verses from the Koran written in fine calligraphy in marble. It is believed that Amanat Khan Shirazi from Persia was in charge of the calligraphy.