Page 10 - Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens - December '20

Page 10, Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens
The Taj Mahal … New World Wonder

By Don Kiselewski,
MCC, D.S., Palm Beach
Gardens Travel Leaders
Since the Taj Mahal
was proclaimed one of
the “New Seven Wonders
of the World,” one might
think that the Taj is the
primary structure in Agra,
India … however, this is
not the case. The structure
is nothing more than a tomb
that stands just outside the Agra or “Red” fort. This fort has
been a stronghold in Indian history and dominates the area.
The Taj is located just to the east of the fortress of Agra on
the south bank of the Yamuna River.
The Agra fortress got its “Red” nickname from the red
sandstone from which it was built. Although a fort, the
interior of the structure has the trappings of a palace with
the roof of the throne room covered with gold leaf. An
intricately carved marble pavilion dominates the center of
the open space to go along with the palatial décor. I’m not
sure exactly when they showed up, but today man shares the
Red Fort with his ape ancestors. The monkeys can be seen
everywhere running along the railings and parapets, and Three names have been suggested as architect of the The complex that the Taj Mahal sits within is a rectangular
gathering in small groups to play. Taj. Ustad Isa, the master builder of Persia at the time, is a space measuring 1,900 feet by 1,000 feet. In the center is a
Shah Jahan was the third son of Emperor Jahangir possible candidate. Another nominee is Geromino Veroneo, rectangular garden and pool that is oriented in a north/south
and grandson of Emperor Akbar. He was born 100 years a Venetian jeweler who lived in India, and lastly, some say direction. At the south end is the gateway building, while
after Columbus discovered America and was titled Prince that it was Shah Jahan himself. The building was designed at the north end is the mausoleum. Two identical buildings
Khurram in 1612 when he was just 20 years old. This is the to be first viewed from afar, taking in its majesty. Whomever flank the mausoleum building on the sides. One is a mosque,
year when he married Arjumand Banu Begum. Jahan was the designer, there were numerous details incorporated and the other is called jawah, which means “duplicate.”
ambitious to gain the throne of the Mughal Empire in the into the design to trick the eye and give the building its These buildings are built of red sandstone. The Taj Mahal
Indian subcontinent, so when he was 30 years old he staged unique qualities. One such detail was the border that was itself is constructed of white Makrana marble. It is a square
a rebellion against his father. The attempt was unsuccessful placed around the arched entrance door. This border was measuring 186 feet on each side with grooved corners and
and Jahan went into exile. For the next three years he traveled intentionally widened as it rises up the wall to create the massive arches that rise to a height of 108 feet. The onion-
around the country waiting for his father to forgive him. They optical illusion that the width of this trim is constant when shaped dome in the center is some 243 feet above the garden
reconciled in 1625, just two years before his father died. seen from the ground. Perhaps the subtlest architectural level below. Matching parapets stand above the arches in
With the support of his wife’s family, Shah Jahan proclaimed feature that truly sets the stage to frame the building is the each corner of the building.
himself emperor at Agra in February 1628. 138-foot-tall minarets on each corner, which actually lean A close-up inspection reveals the magnitude of the work
The next 25 years, Shah Jahan proceeded to enlarge out. These were purposely constructed so that the axis of the effort, where it can be truly appreciated. The carvings on
and strengthen Mughal power throughout India. In 1657 circular tower is not vertical but rather leans away from the the marble panels that surround the Taj are literally icing
he became ill, and once again there was struggle for main structure … causing an illusion that the mausoleum is
power within his family. The winner among his four sons rising up. The Taj Mahal on page 11
was Aurangzeb, who declared himself emperor in 1658.
Aurangzeb placed his father under house arrest until his death
on January 22, 1666. It is said that the only solace Jahan had
during these last years of his life was in the memories of his
loving wife. The balcony of his chamber faced the beautiful Imagine This As Your...
monument that he had built for her.
Arjumand Banu Begum (Begum is the title for a Muslim
woman of high social rank) was the favorite wife of Jahan,
and they are said to have been inseparable companions until
her death from childbirth in 1631. He affectionately called her
Mumtaz Mahal, which means, “ornament of the palace.” The
mausoleum containing her body was named the Taj Mahal,
stemming from his term of endearment. It is also the burial
place of Shah Jahan.

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