The construction of this marble masterpiece is credited to the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan who erected this mausoleum in memory of his beloved wife, Arjumarid Bano Begum; popularly known as Mumtaz Mahal, who died in A.H. 1040 (A.D. 1630). Her last wish to her husband was "to build a tomb in her memory such as the world had never seen before". Thus emperor Shah Jahan set about building this fairy tale like marvel.
The History of Taj Mahal remains to be incomplete without a proper description of the architectural beauty of the monument. The traditional architectural works of the Taj reflect exquisite works of the Persian, Hindu and Ottoman styles. The Mughal kings have always shown a special preference for the red sandstone but it was Shah Jahan who started the use of white marble in the works of Mughal architecture. Taj Mahal standing on a raised platform is adored with a blue backdrop that offers the visitors a glimpse of the romantic imagination of the architect. The minarets of the Taj are built in a posture, which looks slightly outward. This was done to protect the incredible piece of Mughal architecture from the forces of nature. The pietra dura scrollwork enhances the mood of the travelers. The travelers are always suggested to plan their trips to Taj Mahal either in the time of sunrise or during sunset. The white marble of the Taj turns to pink when the golden rays of the sun fall on the surface of the Taj and finally the hue changes to blue.
Taj Mahal was built by a Muslim Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his second and favourite wife, Arjumand Banu Begum, better known as Mumtaz Mahal ("Chosen of the Palace"). The building is a Mausoleum that houses the grave of the queen at the lower chamber. The grave of Shah Jahan was added to it later.
The emperor came to power in 1622 when he seized the throne from his father, while murdering his brothers to ensure his claim to rule. He was known as the extravagant and cruel leader. However he redeemed himself by his generosity to his friends and the poor, by his passion in adorning India with some of its most beautiful architecture, and by his devotion to his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Taj Mahal was built as a monument to her memory and her fertility.
Shah Jahan married the queen when he was 21, when he had already two children by an early consort. Mumtaz gave her husband fourteen children and died at the age of 39 while accompanying her husband in Burhanpur in a campaign to crush rebellion after giving birth to their 14th child. When she was still alive, she extracted four promises from the emperor: first, that he build the Taj; second, that he should marry again; third, that he be kind to their children; and fourth, that he visit the tomb on her death anniversary. He kept the first and the second promises. Construction began in 1631 and was completed in 22 years. Twenty thousand people were deployed to work on it. Many architects have rated as the most perfect of all buildings standing on earth. Three artists designed it: a Persian, an Italian, and a Frenchman. However the design is completely Mohamedan.
Although Shah Jahan begun his reign by killing his brothers, but he had neglected to kill his sons, one of whom was destined to overthrow him. His son, Aurangzeb defeated all the forces sent against him, captured his father, and imprisoned him in the Fort of Agra for nine years.
Because of the promise for his dying wife, Shah Jahan decided to commemorate the memory of Mumtaz with a building of which had never been seen before. That's why Taj Mahal has become the symbol of eternal love.
