Taj Mahal | Definition, Story, Site, History, & Facts | Britannica

Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal, an enormous white marble mausoleum constructed in Agra between 1631 and 1648 on the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan's orders in honor of his favorite wife, is the crown jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the most well-recognised works of art in all of human history.

Outstanding Universal Value

Brief synthesis

In terms of all Indo-Islamic architecture, the Taj Mahal is regarded as the pinnacle of architectural achievement. Its well-known architectural beauty is characterized by a rhythmic interplay of light shadow, concave and convex shapes, and solids and voids. Additional aesthetically pleasing features include arches and domes. The rich green landscape, reddish pathway, and blue sky overhead display the monument's constantly shifting hues and tones. It is a unique monument because of the marble relief work and the inlay of precious and semi-precious stones. 

Integrity:

The tomb, mosque, guest house, main gate, and entire Taj Mahal complex are all intact, demonstrating the preservation of their integrity. The Taj Mahal's physical structure is in good shape, and studies and ongoing monitoring have been conducted on its structural stability, foundation type, minaret verticality, and other construction-related factors. An air control monitoring station is established to continuously monitor air quality and adjust decay factors as they arise in order to mitigate the impact of deterioration caused by atmospheric contaminants. Adequate monitoring and enforcement of regulations in the extended buffer zone are necessary to guarantee the preservation of the environment. Furthermore, future tourism facility development must guarantee the preservation of the property's functional and aesthetic integrity, especially in.

Authenticity:

The main gate, the guest house, the tomb, the mosque, and the entire Taj Mahal complex have all preserved the authenticity standards from the time of inscription. Even though a significant number of restoration and preservation efforts have been made on Indian buildings during the British colonial era, these efforts have not diminished the original characteristics of the structures. Future conservation efforts will need to adhere to regulations that guarantee the preservation of attributes like shape and design. 

How to Visit

The interior of the tomb is a stunning, if somewhat cramped, area that invites careful inspection. However, a significant portion of any trip to the Taj Mahal will be devoted to taking in the structure from the outside. It's worth staying to look at the mausoleum in various lighting situations, such as the rosy glow of sunrise or the ethereal light of a full moon since its pure white marble changes color and tone to reflect the mood of the surroundings.

When to Visit

The Taj Mahal is a popular attraction all year round, though new ticketing procedures have reduced the number of visitors during prime hours. If you're looking for more privacy, consider arriving early or late in the day. The Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays, so that is one day you should NOT visit.