Taj Mahal
Context:
Water leakage has been reported at the Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Agra, following three days of continuous rain.
More on News
- Agra, a historic city located 200 kilometres from New Delhi, has experienced heavy rainfall, causing flooding in parts of the city, including the Taj Mahal premises.
- In addition to the Taj Mahal, Agra is home to other significant landmarks like Fatehpur Sikri, Agra Fort, Mehtab Bagh, and Jhunjhun Ka Katora.
About Taj Mahal
- The Taj Mahal is an iconic ivory-white marble mausoleum located in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India.
- Commissioned in 1631 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, it was built in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died during childbirth.
- The construction of the mausoleum was completed in 1648, with the entire complex, including gardens and additional buildings, finalised in 1653.
- The project involved over 20,000 artisans and workers, led by the chief architect Ustad Ahmad Lahori, and is estimated to have cost around ₹5 million at the time, equivalent to approximately ₹35 billion (US$77.8 million) today.
Architectural Significance
- Symmetry and Geometry: The Taj Mahal is renowned for its perfect symmetry, with all main features aligned along a central axis. This bilateral symmetry is a hallmark of Mughal architecture, emphasising harmony and balance throughout the complex.
- Materials: The mausoleum is primarily constructed from white marble, which reflects different hues depending on the time of day and weather conditions.
- This marble is complemented by red sandstone used in other structures within the complex, symbolising the fusion of different cultural elements.
- Dome and Minarets: The central dome, rising to 240 feet, is surrounded by four smaller domes and flanked by four slender minarets. These minarets, while traditionally functional in mosques, serve an ornamental purpose here, enhancing the overall aesthetic balance of the structure.
- Ornate Decoration: The Taj Mahal features intricate inlay work known as pietra dura, where semi-precious stones like coral, lapis lazuli, and onyx are embedded into the marble.
- The walls are adorned with floral patterns and calligraphy, primarily featuring verses from the Quran, reflecting Islamic artistic traditions.
- Garden Layout: The surrounding gardens follow the char bagh layout, divided into four quadrants by waterways, symbolising paradise.
- This design is influenced by Persian garden traditions and serves as a serene backdrop to the mausoleum.
- The Taj Mahal was declared a centrally protected monument of national importance in December 1920. Recognized as one of the Seven Wonders of the World, it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1983.
- Described as a “jewel of Muslim art in India,” the Taj Mahal is widely regarded as one of the most admired masterpieces of world heritage.
Government Initiatives
The government of India has implemented several measures to protect the Taj Mahal from pollution and environmental degradation.
Key Steps Taken
Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ): In the 1990s, the government designated an area of 10,400 square kilometres around the Taj Mahal as the Taj Trapezium Zone. This zone aims to regulate industrial activities that could harm the monument.
Supreme Court Rulings: In 1996, the court ordered the closure of polluting industries and mandated that those remaining in the TTZ switch to cleaner fuels. More recently, it directed the Agra Development Authority to stop all commercial activities within a 500-metre radius of the monument.