Source: TH
Context: The upcoming Hindi film “The Taj Story”, starring Paresh Rawal, has triggered nationwide controversy for reviving the discredited “Tejo Mahalaya” theory, which claims the Taj Mahal was originally a Shiva temple.
About the Taj Mahal:
What it is?
- The Taj Mahal is a 17th-century white marble mausoleum on the right bank of the Yamuna River in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. It is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site (1983), celebrated as the pinnacle of Indo-Islamic architecture.
Built during:
- Commissioned in 1632 CE by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, it was completed in 1648 CE, with additional structures and landscaping finished by 1653 CE under the supervision of architect Ustad Ahmad Lahori.
History:
- Constructed by artisans, calligraphers, inlayers, and masons from across India, Central Asia, and Persia, the Taj represents the zenith of Mughal craftsmanship.
- Inscriptions in Arabic, Persian, and Quranic verses document its chronology and spiritual symbolism.
Key Features:
- The central white marble tomb stands on a raised square platform with four minarets at each corner, symbolizing symmetry and spatial balance.
- The double-dome chamber houses the cenotaphs of Mumtaz Mahal (center) and Shah Jahan (west); the real graves lie in the lower crypt.
- The pietra dura (inlay) work, with precious stones depicting intricate floral motifs, exemplifies Persian and Indian artistic fusion.
- The Charbagh garden follows the Timurid-Persian quadripartite design, divided by water channels symbolizing the rivers of paradise.
- The main gateway (Darwaza-i-Rauza) and flanking mosque and guest house of red sandstone contrast with the central marble mausoleum, emphasizing visual harmony.
Significance:
- Represents the culmination of Mughal architecture, uniting Persian, Ottoman, and Indian aesthetics into a symbol of eternal love and divine harmony.
- Serves as a testament to 17th-century engineering and design, blending artistic precision with spiritual allegory—reflecting paradise and resurrection.
- Continues to be a global icon of India’s cultural heritage, drawing over 6 million visitors annually and inspiring art, literature, and architecture worldwide.
