Taj mahal

The Taj Mahal { Persian and Arabic "crown of palaces" pronounced  also "the Taj"} is a white Marble mausoleum located in Agra Uttar Pradesh India. It was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife Mumtaz Mahal. Taj Mahal is widely recognized as "the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage. "

Taj Mahal is regarded by many as the finest example of Mughal architecture, a style that combines elements of Persian architectural styles Indian and Islamic Ottoman Turks. 

In 1983, the Taj Mahal became a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. While the white domed marble mausoleum is the most familiar component of the Taj Mahal is actually an integrated complex of structures. The construction began around 1632 and was completed around 1653 employing thousands of artisans and construction craftsmen.The Taj Mahal was entrusted to a board of architects under imperial supervision including Abd ul-Karim Khan and Ustad Ma'mur Makramat Ahmad Khan Lahauri. Lahauri is generally considered to be the principal designer. 
In 1631 the emperor Shah Jahan during the period of the Mughal Empire of greatest prosperity was heartbroken when his third wife Mumtaz Mahal Persian princess died during the birth of their fourteenth child Gauhara Begum. The construction of the Taj Mahal The Chronicles of the court of Shah Jahan penalty began in 1632 illustrate the love story traditionally held as an inspiration for the Taj Mahal. The principal mausoleum was completed in 1648 and the surrounding buildings and garden were finished five years later. Emperor Shah Jahan himself described the Taj in these words: 
They blame asylum here 
Like one pardoned is freed from sin. 
If a sinner make his way to this mansion 
All his past sins are to be washed. 
The sight of this mansion creates sorrowing sighs; 
And the sun and the moon shed tears from their eyes. 
In this world, this building has been done; 
To display thereby the Creator's glory. 

The Taj Mahal incorporates and expands on design traditions of Persian architecture and earlier Mughal architecture. Specific inspiration came from successful Timurid and Mughal buildings including; the Gur-e Amir tomb of Timur {progenitor of the Mughal dynasty, in Samarkand} Humayun's Tomb Itmad-Ud-Daulah {sometimes called the Baby Taj} and own Jama Masjid in Delhi Shah Jahan. While earlier Mughal buildings were primarily constructed of red sandstone Shah Jahan promoted the use of white marble inlaid with semi-precious stones, and buildings under his patronage reached new levels of refinement.

Tumba: 

The tomb is the central focus of the entire complex of the Taj Mahal. This large white marble structure stands on a square plinth and consists of a symmetrical building with an iwan {door} arched topped by a large dome and pediment. Like most Mughal tombs of the basic elements are Persian in origin. 

The base structure is essentially a large cube with bevelled corners multiple chambers forming an uneven octagon is approximately 55 meters ft {180} in each of the four long sides. In each of these parts a large frames pishtaq or vaulted arch two balconies iwans similarly arc stacked on each side. This motif pishtaqs stacked replicates in corner areas by the completely symmetrical beveled design on all sides of the building. Four minarets frame the tomb in every corner of the socket to the chamfered corners. The main camera is the false sarcophagi of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan; the actual graves are at a lower level. 

The marble dome that exceeds the tomb is the most spectacular feature. Its height of about 35 m} {115 is approximately the same as the length of the base and is accentuated because it is in a "drum" cylinder that is about 7 meters {23} feet. Because of the way the dome is often called an onion dome or guava dome amrud . The top is decorated with a lotus design, which also serves to accentuate its height. The shape of the dome by four small domes chattris  kiosks placed at its corners that replicate the onion shape of the main dome is emphasized. His column bases open through the roof of the tomb and provide light to the interior. Tall decorative spiers} {guldastas extend from edges of base walls, and provide visual emphasis to the height of the dome. The lotus motif is repeated on both the chattris and guldastas. The dome and chattris are topped by a gilded finial that mixes traditional Persian and Hindustani decorative elements. 

The main finial was originally made of gold but was replaced by one made of gilded bronze in the early 19th century copy This feature provides a clear example of integration of traditional Persian and Hindu decorative elements. The crown is topped by a moon of a typical Islamic motif whose horns point heavenward. Due to its location in the main tower of the horns of the moon and kick point combine to create a trident shape reminiscent of traditional Hindu symbols of Shiva. 

The minarets are each more than 40 meters {130} tilt ft tall designer for symmetry. They were designed as working minarets-a traditional element of mosques used by the muezzin calling the faithful to Islamic prayer. Each minaret is effectively divided into three equal parts by two working balconies that surround the tower. At the top of the tower is a final balcony surmounted by a chattri reflecting the design of the tomb. Chattris all share the same decorative elements of a lotus design topped by a gilded finial. The minarets were constructed slightly outside of the plinth so that in case of collapse {a typical occurrence with many tall constructions of the period} of the material from the towers would tend to fall away from the tomb.