Taj Mahal - a Tribute to Love

"Not a piece of architecture, as other buildings are, but the proud passions of an emperor's love wrought in living stones."- Sir Edwin Arnold.

What an apt description of Taj Mahal! Only a besotted lover could build a monument this beautiful, elegant and romantic. Its splendor and aura attracts countless visitors from every corner of the world and keeps an emperor's love for his wife alive.

One of the most famous creations of the Mughal period in India, Taj Mahal, was built by the emperor, Shah Jahan, in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal.
The emperor was incredibly fond of his noble and charming wife and her death crushed him completely. As a tribute to her beauty and love, he ordered the construction of the Taj in 1631. The construction took 22 years, deployed twenty thousand people and cost 32 million rupees. Expert craftsman were brought from all over India and Central Asia and it took a fleet of a thousand elephants to carry all the materials needed to build the most exquisite mausoleum on earth. Extremely sophisticated artwork can be seen on the tomb. For instance, just 3 cm of decorative element contains more than 50 inlaid gemstones.

The architectural complex comprises of five main elements.There is a main gateway, a formally laid out garden, a mosque, a rest house and the Taj Mahal mausoleum. The actual Tomb is situated inside the Taj. One of the most amazing features of Taj Mahal is the way its white marble exterior responds to light. It looks subtly different at different times of the day. In the light of full moon, this monument glows as a pearl and looks heartbreakingly ethereal. In full day light it appears a dazzling white and at dawn it has a dreamy pinkish hue. On a foggy day, the structure looks elevated and the view is simply awe inspiring. Its picture postcard appearance has made it one of the most enduring labors of love. Harmonious construction, painstakingly designed motifs, clever geometric patterns and innumerable precious gems make this spotless marble creation, a sight to behold.

It was love at first sight for the future emperor of India and the beautiful young girl. They met at a market place within the walls of the royal palace and were married on an auspicious day in 1612. While he was the king of all kings with immense power and fortune, she was a refined woman gifted with extraordinary good looks. The king was so taken by her charm and devotion that he called her "Mumtaz Mahal" or "the chosen one of the palace" and she in turn was with him everywhere he went. Tragically, while accompanying the emperor in one of such journeys, the queen died from complications due to childbirth. The grieving husband was so distraught that he never quite reverted to his former excellence and became a brooding figure uninterested in his empire. In fact in his last years, when he was imprisoned by his own son after a bloody battle, his only solace was the sight of the Taj mahal from his prison window.

This "elegy in marble", is thus an unforgettable tribute of a lover to his beloved - a monument of unmatched refinement that features in the must-see of most art lovers. A picture snapped in front of the Taj is, perhaps, one of the most predominant tourist images of our times. Even the net surfing, virtual dating generation of today realizes its importance - in the latest sms and internet poll, the Taj was voted as one of the Seven Wonders of the World!