The Taj Mahal is one of the wonders of the world and the pride of India! While everybody knows about it, here are some aspects worth reflecting on.
1) Usage of Pietra Dura – Pietra Dura entails an inlay technique of encrusting precious stones into marble. A practice that was begun in Florence in the 16th century, it became a predominant and popular practice in Indian monuments also, particularly during the Mughal period. These are what make the Taj Mahal even more beautiful, almost surreal! Within the white marble, is encrusted these colored (previously precious) stones. The entire Taj would shine!2) The love affair associated with it is real! - Prominent historian, Ebba Koch has confirmed that the Taj Mahal indeed is a symbol of love. Sources tell about the love affair of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal and their complete devotion for one another. It was almost a monogamous relationship, and Mumtaz had immense importance in the household and played a crucial role in political matters. The Taj Mahal was designed to represent Mumtaz Mahal's house in paradise.
3) It used to be a Much larger complex – What we see of the Taj Mahal now is only one portion. Ebba Koch notes how it was actually a larger complex that Shah Jahan had made. Along with the mausoleum, and a funeral garden, to the south, there was a huge complex that had a bazaar and a caravanserai complex that had a cross-axial design. Furthermore, assembly halls, pavilions, caravanserais, courtyards, gardens, a mosque, and residences of his other wives were also there! Altogether, it was about 893 m long and 300 m wide. Although it didn’t necessarily incorporate the Yamuna river, whcih was like an extension.
4) Impeccable symmetry – The symmetry and precision with which the Taj Mahal had been made were remarkable and unprecedented and that is one of the reasons why it is even more appealing to the human eye. If one observes carefully of the mausoleum, the dimensions are exact on both sides. Furthermore, the plan of the Taj Mahal was that of a Charbagh. The Mughals, since the time of Babur, had over time developed a specialized feature for Charbaghs to be constructed near rivers, owing to the significance of water for a garden. The Charbaghis in the shape of an exact square, amidst which the mausoleum is placed. However, the unique feature, which probably makes it even more beautiful is if you divided the Charbagh into more squares, the squares would be exactly the same in dimension. Similarly, the Taj Mahal itself, if you divide it into two, the two pieces would be exactly the same. Amazing isn’t it!
