AN INSIGHT TO TAJ MAHAL.

YEAR OF ESTABLISHMENT: 1648 AD.

LOCATION: AGRA, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA.

ENTRY FEES: INDIAN CITIZENS: 50-/ PER PERSON

FOREIGN VISITORS: 1300-/ PER PERSON.

TIMINGS: 6:00 AM TO 6:30 PM every day,  EXCEPT FRIDAY.

NIGHTTIME: 8:30 PM TO 12:30 PM.

ARCHITECTURAL STYLE: MUGHAL ARCHITECTURE. 

TYPE: MAHAL.

BUILT BY: SHAHJAHAN.

BUILT FOR: MUMTAZ MAHAL.

ARCHITECT: USTAD AHMAD LAHAURI.

MATERIAL USED: WHITE MARBLE.

GOVERNING BODY: GOVERNMENT OG INDIA (GOI)

INTRODUCTION:

TAJ MAHAL (meaning crown of the palaces) is the white marble mausoleum on the south bank of Yamuna river in the city of Agra, India. It was commissioned by the fifth Mughal emperor Shahjahan for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. The estimated cost of the Mahal is approximately 32 million rupees. The Taj Mahal was designated a UNESCO world heritage site in the year 1983 for being the jewel of Muslim art in India and was declared as one of the world's wonder in the year 2000 till 2007. 

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN AND HISTORY:

The tomb is the centerpiece of the 17-hectare complex, which includes a mosque, and a guest house and a set of formal gardens bounded on the three sides of the crenelated wall. The height of the mausoleum is  73m high (240ft approx.) with the similar char bagh system as that of Humayun's tomb. It is regarded as one of the best examples of Mughal architecture and a symbol of India's rich history.