Eternally breathtaking: The story behind the Taj Mahal

The Mughal Empire was founded in 1526 by Babur, a descendant of Timur and Genghis Khan.

His new empire consolidated vast territories under centralized authority. By the early seventeenth century, the Mughal rulers commanded extraordinary resources, facilitating advancements in administration, trade, and art.

The empire became a crucible for diverse traditions, blending Persian, Central Asian, and Indian influences into a vibrant and distinctive culture.

Emperors such as Akbar, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan propelled this legacy forward, each contributing to its development through conquest, diplomacy, and patronage. 

Under Shah Jahan, who ascended the throne in 1628, the Mughal Empire entered what many consider its architectural golden age.

His reign oversaw the construction of monumental structures, reflecting both the empire’s wealth and Shah Jahan’s personal vision.

He sought to memorialize his power and devotion through works of exquisite detail and scale.  

The Red Fort in Delhi, built in 1648, displayed the empire’s wealth and power through its imposing walls, marble palaces, and elaborate gardens.

Shah Jahan also expanded and renovated existing structures, further embellishing the empire’s cities as centers of sophistication and power.

Thanks to these endeavors, the Mughal Empire achieved an artistic zenith that left a profound impression on its contemporaries, cementing Shah Jahan’s reputation as a ruler dedicated to both legacy and beauty. 

When Shah Jahan met Arjumand Banu Begum, later known as Mumtaz Mahal, their bond grew into one of profound affection and loyalty.

Married in 1612, Mumtaz Mahal, who was the emperor's trusted confidante and advisor, accompanied Shah Jahan on military campaigns and participated in courtly affairs.

Her influence was notable, yet her role as his companion defined their connection.

Shah Jahan was deeply attached to her and praised her intelligence and grace, and their relationship became a celebrated aspect of his reign.

Her untimely death in 1631 during the birth of their fourteenth child devastated the emperor. 

Following her death, Shah Jahan sought a way to honor Mumtaz Mahal's memory through an extraordinary and enduring project.

Inspired by the Mughal tradition of elaborate tombs, he envisioned a mausoleum of unmatched splendor.

The Taj Mahal, as it became known, drew upon Islamic funerary traditions while incorporating innovative artistic techniques.  

Beginning in 1632, the construction of the Taj Mahal spanned over two decades, culminating in 1653.

Shah Jahan personally oversaw the project, dedicating immense resources to its realization.

The workforce, numbering approximately 20,000, included skilled artisans, laborers, and engineers recruited from across the Mughal Empire and beyond.

Teams of stonecutters, inlayers, and calligraphers collaborated to achieve the intricate designs envisioned by the emperor.

Specific records credit Ustad Ahmad Lahauri as the chief architect. 

The central dome rose to a height of 73 meters and was shaped as a bulbous silhouette common in Persian design.

Four minarets were positioned at the corners to emphasize balance and added a sense of grandeur.

The decorative elements, such as pietra dura inlays and Quranic inscriptions, demonstrated meticulous craftsmanship.

Persian gardens inspired the surrounding layout, integrating water channels and pathways to create a serene environment. 

To achieve the Taj Mahal's resplendent appearance, artisans used materials sourced from across the empire and beyond.

White marble from Makrana in Rajasthan formed the monument's luminous exterior. Carnelian, jasper, and lapis lazuli were imported from regions such as Persia, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka for the intricate inlays.

The construction process relied on innovative techniques, including scaffolding constructed from brick instead of wood to support the structure's weight.

The sheer scale of the endeavor demanded the transportation of massive stone blocks and delicate materials by river and elephant caravans. 

Within the Taj Mahal’s complex, the Charbagh garden created a serene and orderly setting that reinforced the monument’s spiritual and aesthetic themes.

Divided into four symmetrical quadrants by walkways and water channels, the garden adhered to a Persian design known as Charbagh, which represented paradise as described in Islamic texts.

Each section of the garden included well-maintained plants and flowers, where the arrangement symbolized life, death, and rebirth.

On the western side of the Taj Mahal, the mosque provided a sacred space for prayer, constructed from red sandstone with white marble accents.

Opposite the mosque, a guest house known as the Mehman Khana balanced the layout of the complex.

Though not used for religious purposes, the guest house mirrored the design of the mosque, maintaining symmetry and continuity throughout the site. 

Along the Taj Mahal’s northern edge, the Yamuna River provided a natural boundary that integrated the complex into its surroundings.

This waterway, which was an essential feature of Mughal urban planning, contributed to the site’s peaceful atmosphere.

The river’s reflective surface amplified the visual beauty of the mausoleum, particularly at sunrise and sunset, where the changing light created dynamic views.

The decision to situate the Taj Mahal along the Yamuna not only reflected Shah Jahan’s aesthetic preferences but also connected the monument to Agra’s urban and natural environment.  

After its completion in 1653, the Taj Mahal became a focal point of the Mughal Empire, drawing admiration from visitors and dignitaries who marveled at its architectural brilliance.

Shah Jahan himself spent his remaining years in Agra, where his devotion to the monument never waned.

In 1658, his son Aurangzeb seized power, deposing Shah Jahan and confining him to the Agra Fort, which was located across the Yamuna River.

From this vantage point, Shah Jahan is believed to have spent his final days gazing at the Taj Mahal, which was as a constant reminder of his love for Mumtaz Mahal.

Upon his death in 1666, he was interred beside her in the mausoleum, fulfilling the vision of eternal unity he had sought. 

Under Aurangzeb’s rule, the empire shifted its focus toward military campaigns and religious conservatism, which meant fewer resources were allocated to maintaining the Taj Mahal.

By the eighteenth century, the decline of the Mughal Empire left the monument vulnerable to neglect and looting.

In 1739, during the invasion of India by Nader Shah of Persia, much of the empire’s wealth, including gems from the Taj Mahal, was plundered.

Later, as regional powers challenged Mughal authority, the upkeep of the complex became sporadic, and sections of its intricate marble work began to deteriorate. 

During British colonial rule in the nineteenth century, the Taj Mahal gained renewed attention, which led to both preservation efforts and exploitation.

British officials, including Lord William Bentinck, proposed dismantling the monument and auctioning its marble, though this plan was ultimately abandoned.

Meanwhile, the British made changes to the gardens, transforming them into an English-style landscape which altered the original Charbagh layout.

In the later years of colonial administration, growing appreciation for Indian heritage led to restoration projects, which were intended to stabilize the structure and repair damaged sections of the marble inlay. 

In the decades following India’s independence in 1947, the Taj Mahal became a national symbol, which meant significant resources were dedicated to its preservation.

Conservation efforts addressed structural weaknesses, pollution-related discoloration, and the threat of overcrowding from tourism.

Modern interventions, including air quality monitoring and restricted access to certain areas, sought to ensure the monument’s survival.