5 unique facts about the Taj Mahal that prove its artisans were centuries ahead of their time
The Taj Mahal in Agra is synonymous with eternal love. It is among the most celebrated monuments in the history of India and world being one of the 7 Wonders of the World. Personified by poets in their poetry, sung by singers in their compositions and known globally, this white marble beauty is a place for dreamers!
But did you know that this eternal beauty hides secrets unknown! On this note, let’s try to unveil five mind-boggling facts about the Taj Mahal. Read on: Exciting facts awaits you!
Let's find out more about this:
The monument changes colour throughout the day
The Taj Mahal's marble surface seems to shift shades with the hour and direction of sunlight. It emits a pinkish hue early in the morning. At noon, it becomes intensely white, and by moonlight, a golden-blue. This dramatic change of colours is a result of the translucent nature of marble, which specially refracts light, contributing to its ethereal and mystical beauty
Almost perfectly symmetrical
The Taj Mahal is an example of Mughal symmetry. Each component—the minarets, arches, gardens, and fountains is immaculately replicated on both sides of the center dome. There's one conscious mistake, though, as Shah Jahan's tomb is set slightly off-center alongside Mumtaz Mahal's. Initially, only hers was designed. When Shah Jahan passed away and was buried alongside her, it broke the symmetry.
No blueprint was ever discovered
Surprisingly, no formal architectural drawing or detailed design of the Taj Mahal has ever been discovered. Historians believe the whole building might have been built from verbal directives, rough sketches, and ancient memory aids. In spite of having no written records, the monument is one of the most masterfully designed buildings on the planet demonstrating the unparalleled skills.
Calligraphic inscriptions on Taj Mahal
The monument features beautiful calligraphic inscriptions from the Quran, engraved in black marble. These inscriptions are crafted in a way that they appear the same size from ground level due to a clever optical illusion.
The Minarets were constructed to recede from the dome
The architects of the Taj Mahal built its four tall minarets leaning slightly away from the center instead of standing upright. This ingenious engineering move ensured that if a natural disaster like an earthquake occurred, the minarets would fall away from the central mausoleum and not harm the tomb. The lean is so minute that it can't be seen easily, yet it's an outstanding display of pre-modern architectural caution and planning.
Poetry in architecture
Built as a mausoleum for Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj is more than a monument; it's a timeless ode to love and loss.