Transcript Slide 1

Taj Mahal (meaning Crown Palace) is the Mausoleum of the Mumtaz Mahal
and also one of the great architectural marvels in the world. An ideal epitome of
love and dedication, the Taj Mahal was built by the fifth Mughal Emperor,
Shah Jahan, after the death of his beloved Mumtaz Mahal while delivering the
14th child.
The building began in 1631 and was completed in 1652, after about twentytwo years, employing twenty thousand workers.
The Taj Mahal is considered the finest example of Mughal architecture, that
combines elements from Islamic, Indian, and Persian architectural styles.
The Taj stands on a raised, square platform (186 x 186 feet) with its four corners
truncated, forming an unequal octagon. The architectural design uses the
interlocking arabesque concept, in which each element stands on its own and
perfectly integrates with the main structure. It uses the principles of selfreplicating geometry and a symmetry of architectural elements.
Taj Majal is “an elegy in marble”, a tribute to Beauty, embodiment of Grace and
Romance.