The emblem of India is much more than a palace. The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum that not only tells a love story. It was the cause of the dethronement of an emperor and is an exceptional architectural monument, impossible to repeat. Perhaps that is why it was awarded a place among the 7 Wonders of the Modern World in 2007 and UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site.

Here we will tell you all the details about the history of the Taj Mahal and the legends that surround it

History of the Taj Mahal

What is the Taj Mahal?

Although some consider it to be an Indian palace, it is actually an architectural monument.

It was built as an offering to Arjumand Banu Begum, the third wife of Emperor Shah Jahan I (a member of the Mughal dynasty). However, she was known as Mumtaz Mahal, which means "the chosen one of the palace."

The name of the monument is considered to come from the nickname given to the emperor's wife. "Taj" translates as "crown" in Persian, so Taj Mahal would refer to "the crown of the palace", the honored woman.

The construction is a walled complex of 170,000 square meters. It consists of a mosque, a guest house and other buildings, in addition to the main mausoleum. Although the meaning of mausoleum implies that it is the funerary monument of an important person, in this case it was not the case, which makes it even more exceptional.

Although some data has not yet been confirmed, experts agree as to when the Taj Mahal was built: between 1631 and 1653. In the complex it can be seen that 22 domes stand out, which represent the 22 years of its existence. labor required to complete the work.

Where is the Taj Mahal?

It is located in Agra, known as the city of the Taj Mahal, in India. It is located next to a bend made by the Yamuna River.

One of the advantages of its location is that it allows its reflection to be seen on the water at all times. By typing “Taj Mahal location” in the search engine you can quickly locate many Taj Mahal images with its beautiful reflection in the water.

The city is part of the state of Uttar Pradesh. Some experts say that the construction is sinking because the foundations need moisture from the river, which is currently drying up.

Once it is clear where the Taj Mahal is located, it is necessary to discuss how to get there. The monument is 200 kilometers away from Delhi, approximately, so it is possible to make one-day visits from the capital of India. Agra can be reached by train from Delhi, Varanasi and Rajasthan.

If you decide to take the Yamuna Expressway train, it is possible to reach Agra in less than three hours from Delhi. The ticket costs 415 rupees, about 5 euros, and the trip is one way. Round trips from Delhi cost 665 rupees, about 8 euros.

Who built the Taj Mahal?

Emperor Shah Jahan ordered its construction, which involved more than 20,000 men and 1,000 elephants. The master builder was Listad Isa and Ustad Ahmad Lahouri the main architect.

The men who participated in the construction came from India, Persia, Europe and the Ottoman Empire, so there are a wide variety of influences present in the architecture. The best in each specialty were sought to carry out the work.

The construction of the Taj Mahal lasted 22 years.

Why was the Taj Mahal built?

The story of the Taj Mahal is considered a love story, as the emperor decided to create a posthumous tribute to his favorite wife. According to local legends, she was the only one to whom he was faithful.

Legend has it that they met in a market while she was trying on a crystal necklace and Shah Jahan, who was a prince at the time, bought it for her. The differences between their political ranks did not allow the relationship to develop.

The emperor could have up to five wives. He married two women before deciding to take Ajumand Banu Begum as his third wife. She was designated as Mumtaz Mahal, the chosen one of the palace.

After enjoying a few years of happiness, Mumtaz Mahal died during her 14th childbirth. She had borne 13 of the Emperor's children before, but the last delivery was complicated.

It is said that on his deathbed he asked the emperor to build him a tomb, to be good to his children, and to visit the mausoleum on every anniversary. Unfortunately, only one of the three requests could be fulfilled.

Emperor Shah Jahan set out to create the most spectacular tomb in honor of his beloved. He then began the construction of the palace that functions as a mausoleum and in the center of which is the tomb of Mumtaz Mahal.

The mausoleum of the Taj Mahal

What is most striking about the interior of the mausoleum is that it is the only place in the entire complex that does not have perfect symmetry, contrary to the wish of the emperor.

Inside are the two false tombs, also called cenotaphs, one for Shah Jahan and the other belonging to Mumtaz Mahal. Their bodies are not inside them, but in a simple coffin below, with their heads cocked in the direction of Mecca.

Above the cenotaph of Mumtaz Mahal stands a tablet-shaped figure representing a white paper scroll. In the emperor's tomb there is a symbol that alludes to an inkwell. The meaning of these details is that the wife is like a blank sheet on which the emperor writes.

Shah Jahan died two years after construction of the Taj Mahal was completed. At that time he was locked up as a prisoner of his sons, who had rebelled. They seized power after the father triggered an economic crisis by spending more than was reasonable with the construction of the mausoleum.

After his death, Aurangzeb (the son who took his place as emperor) buried him in the mausoleum of the Taj Mahal, right next to his favorite wife. It was at that moment that the symmetry of the mausoleum was forever broken. It is believed that this was the intention of Aurangzeb, who made the decision motivated by revenge.

Although this assumption has never been confirmed, it is known that the emperor's desire was to maintain symmetry, which is why he placed the tomb of Mumtaz Mahal right in the center of the building.

On the other hand, he had a desire to create a twin building to the Taj Mahal on the other side of the river. The second building would be black in color and would be linked to the original mausoleum via a gold bridge, but this dream could never be realized.

Architectural design of the Taj Mahal

The design of this monument is considered one of the most astonishing in the world, which ensured that it became one of the new 7 wonders of the world that was established by vote in 2007. Its architecture has Islamic, Persian, Indian and Turkish influences.

Taj Mahal Decoration

The decoration of the Taj Mahal inside and out impresses. Each space features perfectly executed artistic details.

Taj Mahal interior

For the decoration of the interior, precious gems were mainly used, making a great work of goldsmith and jewelry.

Under the main hall are buried Emperor Shah Jahan and his wife Mumtaz Mahal, in the cenotaphs erected in their honor. The room has an octagonal shape.

Under the roof is a kind of interior dome that is decorated in a solar theme. The room has eight arches and walls 25 meters high. The lighting is natural, since sunlight penetrates through four balconies.

There is a great amount of detail on the walls with embedded rhinestones. In addition, calligraphy is also part of the decoration. In fact, in the false tomb of Mumtaz Mahal, calligraphic decoration was used to engrave various prayers. The base of his tomb is also encrusted with gems.

Taj Mahal exterior

The exterior decoration merges with the architecture and is one of the most striking in the world. It has sculptures, precious stones and walls in which calligraphic inscriptions predominate.

Handwriting is difficult to understand and read. They are inlaid with gold and narrate some passages from the Koran. In some places you can even see the signature of the calligrapher. The calligraphy present on the main portal narrates a passage that talks about paradise.

On the floors and in some exterior paths you can see the presence of mosaics with varied colors. They are placed following patterns of geometric figures.

There is also a lot of flowers and other decorative elements that are inspired by nature. Around the monument there is a symmetrical natural garden that stands out for its greenery, in addition to the variety of colors of the vegetation that makes it up.

The façade is composed mostly of white marble. Among all the stones used, the use of jade, lapis lazuli, crystal and turquoise should be highlighted.

Taj Mahal: fun facts

Many myths, legends and unconfirmed stories have been told around the Taj Mahal.

Some say that, before beginning its construction, the emperor requested that the wife of Ustad Ahmad Lahouri (the main architect) be assassinated, so that he could feel and capture the pain in his work.

Another legend of the Taj Mahal tells that, at the end of the construction, Shah Jahan ordered that the hands of all those who worked on it be cut off, so that another similar or better monument could never be created. Furthermore, others claim that he also blinded them.

On the other side of the Yamuna river you can see some black stones. It is believed that they were placed there to form the base of the twin black building that Emperor Shah Jahan planned to build before his son dethroned him.

Another story refers to the fact that, around 1830, the British almost destroyed the building to sell the marble. In addition, they modified the gardens to make them more similar to those in England.

Today, oxen are still used to prun the gardens. This image continues to surprise visitors who have the opportunity to see it.

Cars are not allowed near the monument. In fact, their presence is prohibited within a radius of 500 meters around the Taj Mahal, with the exception of electric cars. These measures were taken to prevent contamination from affecting the façade of the mausoleum.

Pollution is one of the main threats to the maintenance and protection of the Taj Mahal. This prompted the Supreme Court of India to take legal action on the matter in 1998. In addition to banning cars, some factories were closed to prevent air pollution.

Finally, there is a popular belief that the emperor always loved his wife. So much so that, even as a prisoner, he died looking at the Taj Mahal from his cell. Some say that he did it by using a mirror to get the reflection, while others say that he used glass.

The truth is that this ending increases the mystery and beauty of one of the most amazing love stories in history.

History of Shah Jahan

The emperor was part of the Mughal dynasty. When he met Mumtaz Mahal he was just a prince. His accession to the throne took place after the death of his father, King Jahangir, in 1627.

The death of the king caused the brothers to confront each other, as they all wanted to gain power. Shah Jahan was victorious a year later and became Emperor of Agra in 1628.

The Mughal dynasty ruled from the early 16th century to the mid-18th century. His power was exercised over the northern part of India and continued even after Jahan's death. The successor was Aurangzeb, his son, who received the support of two of his brothers, who ruled in other regions of the country.

Bibi Ka Maqbara

What is it?

After explaining what the Taj Mahal is, the story of Bibi Ka Maqbara draws attention. It is a construction almost identical to the Taj Mahal, in which the same architectural styles predominate. However, it remains in the shadow of the original, since its size is much smaller.

It is found in Aurangabad, also in India. Its history, contrary to what one might think, is closely related to that of the Taj Mahal. Hence their striking resemblance.

Although attempts have been made to reproduce the architectural monument on several occasions, taking into account the drawing of the original Taj Mahal, Bibi Ka Maqbara is the most realistic replica.

What is its story?

The love story of the Taj Mahal is not the only one that has inspired a monument in India. The name of Bibi Ka Maqbara means “the tomb of the lady”. The construction was also erected as a tribute, although in this case it was in honor of a mother.

Its creation took place under the order of Azam Shah, who wanted to honor the memory of Dilras Banu Begum, his own mother and the granddaughter of Mumtaz Mahal. That relationship explains why the mausoleum shares many of the characteristics of the Taj Mahal.

Information on the Taj Mahal

How much does a visit to the Taj Mahal cost?

The price for foreign tourists is 1,000 rupees, which represents about 12.14 euros. For domestic visitors, the entrance fee is only 40 rupees, around 0.49 euros.

Tickets can only be purchased through the official website of the Taj Mahal, or at the ticket office in front of the monument. There are some packages that can offer discounts, which include visits to other places of interest in the city, but only if all tickets are for the same day.

For foreign visitors, the ticket includes a shoe protector, a bottle of water, a bus that takes them to the monument and a map of the city. The map shows the location of the Taj Mahal and other sites of interest.

You can also visit the Taj Mahal, in Agra, India, at night, although the ticket only allows you to stay in the place for half an hour. The night entrance has a value of 750 rupees for foreigners, around 9.10 euros.

For people from India it costs 510 rupees, about 6.20 euros. However, these types of tickets must be purchased one day in advance. They are available for sale from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

About three million people visit this monument annually. During the most popular times, it is estimated that the complex receives 45,000 tourists each day.

What is the best time of the year to visit it

It is recommended to visit it between November and February, when the weather is much cooler. During the rest of the year, the rains are quite frequent and the heat can be unbearable for many of the visitors.

It is also advisable to go during sunrise. The exterior marble walls and gemstones vary in hue depending on the lighting. During dawn you can appreciate this quality much more. In addition, without so much crowding, it is also possible to enjoy the visit more and you can get better photos of the Taj Mahal.

Lastly, during the hottest times of the year you are likely to get discounts on admission, so it can be a good option for those who do not have a problem with extreme heat.

Visiting hours

The monument allows visitors to enter from 06:00, so it is possible to enjoy the sunrise and the colors that this lighting reflects on the mausoleum. It closes at 7:00 p.m.

It can be visited every day, with the exception of Fridays, since that day is closed because it is dedicated to prayers.

You can also visit the Taj Mahal at night, between 8:30 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. However, these visits can only last 30 minutes. Night access is only allowed two days before and two days after the full moon.

Guides

There are tours created by tour companies that offer guided tours. However, travelers who prefer to explore it at their own pace can choose to use the audio guides.

Official audio guides are a resource provided by the government, which is not excessively expensive. They can be accessed through a mobile app and are available in multiple languages. Among them, various languages ​​of India, English, Spanish, German, French, Italian and Japanese.

The Taj Mahal, in addition to being an imposing palace and an emblem of India, is the symbol of a love story that has been told generation after generation. However, despite the fact that it was inspired by a good feeling, it also remains as a reminder of other incidents.

Among them, the dethronement of the emperor, the asymmetrical space in the mausoleum, which seems to have been the product of revenge, and the legends that tell of the cruelties that were committed against those who built it.

The complexity of its concept makes it much more attractive to know and difficult to capture all its essence through a summary history of the Taj Mahal.