The Taj Mahal

The Tajmahal was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan (reign, 1628-1658 A.D.), grandson of Akbar, the Great, in the memory of his queen Arjumand Bano Begum, entitled 'Mumtaz Mahal'. She was niece of empress Nur Jahan and grand-daughter of Mirza Ghias Beg "I'Timad-Ud-Daulah" vazir of emperor Jehangir. She was born in 1593 and was married to prince Khurram (Shah Jahan) in 1612. She died in 1631 on the birth of her 14th child, at Burhanpur, where she was temporarily buried. Six months later, her body was transferred to Agra and finally enshrined in the crypt of the main tomb. Shah Jahan who died in 1666 was also buried here. The Taj Mahal is the mausoleum of both Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan. Originally styled as 'Rauza-I-Munavvara' and 'Rauza-I-Mumtaz Mahal', gradually it became famous as Tah Mahal and Taj-Bibi-Ka-Rauza (the garden-tomb of the Taj queen).

It is sited on the right bank of the river Jamuna at a point where it takes a sharp turn and flows eastward. This location has a correct orientation for the adjunct-mosque, minimum thrust of water and, above all, a large natural lake to provide it with a continuous protective cover of moisture. The river with 30 geet deep clean water was a constituent of its original design.

Its land was acquired in lieu of four Havelis. The construction began from the foundations. Wells were laid to support the huge building. Artisans were requisitioned from the whole of the empire and from central Asia and Iran, while bricks for internal skeleton were locally make, white marble for externals surfaces was obtained from Makrana. It was completed in 1648 in 17 years, at the cost of about rupees four crore (40 million) when gold was sold at rs. 15 per tola (11,66 grams).

In all, it covers an area of 60 bighas. As terrain gradually sloped from south to north, towards the river, it is laid out in descending terraces. At the southern point is the forecourt with the main gate in front and tombs of Akbarabadi Begum and Fatehpuribegum, two other queens of Shah Jahan, on its south-east and south-west corners. On the second terrace is a spacious charbagh garden divided into four quarters by the broad shallow canals, with wide walkways and cypress avenues on the sides. They are studded with fountains which were fed by overhead water tanks situated in the adjoining Bagh Khan-I-'Alam.

The main tomb is placed at the northern edge of this garden. It integrated the Taj with the blue sky, and provided it with a beautiful natural background, which was constantly changing from sunrise to midnight. The changing colours of the sky descended softly on its white marble and it looked ever new at avery moment. This newness is the secret of its beauty.

The main tomb was designed under the guidance of the emperor himself its perfect proportions were evolved in wooden models. It rises to 285 feet from the river level with 187 feet width. Its geometrical summetry is also unique.

Though it has some wonderful specimens of polychrome inlay art, in the interior: on the dados, on cenotaphs and on the marble Jhajjhari (jali-screen) around them, and on the exterior on the spandrels of the arches, this ornament is sparse and minimal, and it does not play any role in the total aesthetic effect of the building, which is wholly achritectonic.

It was efficiently maintained until it fell on bad days, in the 18th century A.D. [begin defaced section] Its doors, loose fittings and furniture of ebony and sandalwood, costly lamps, stands, utensils, rugs, carpets, curtains and wall hangings of rare textiles, jewelled coverings the entire paraphernalia was plundered successively by the Jats, Marathas and the British of the East India Company who captured Agra in 1803. [end defaced section] The British replaced the original gold Kalash finial in 1810 and, the Taj was once - during the regime of William Bentinck - put to auction only for the value of its marble. Fortunately this sacrilege was averted. The Taj survived, although in bare skeletal form without the imperial coverings. Since the archaeological survey of India was established in 1861, it is being properly maintained and conserved.

One of the most beautiful creations of man on earth, it is variously admired: as a 'materialised vision of loveliness', a 'dream in marble', a 'noble tribute to the grace of Indian womanhood' and a 'resplendent immortal tear drop on the cheek of time' it symbolises India's composite culture. It is reckoned among the wonders of the world and is inscribed as a world heritage site by the UNESCO.

1/12th scale, this is in beech, though I make it in other woods too, and has etched "glass" table top and unit doors. Hand-made steel ringdrop handles on the sideboard. This deceptively simple design is actually harder to do than it looks, as you have to mark it all out individually on the protective covering, cut carefully along the lines (making sure not to overcut - or you'll see the cuts when it's finished - then REMOVE all the surrounding areas leaving only the squares covered. Then spray, and only after several coats of spray have achieved the desired density, remove the squares to expose the transparent sections.