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History of Taj
The origin of the name "Taj Mahal" is not clear. Court histories from Shah Jehan's reign only call it the rauza (tomb) of Mumtaz Mahal. It is generally believed that "Taj Mahal" (usually translated as either "Crown Palace" or "Crown of the Palace") is an abbreviated version of her name, Mumtaz Mahal.

The construction of this marble masterpiece is credited to the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan who erected this mausoleum in the memory of his beloved wife, Arjumand Bano Begum, popularly known as Mumtaz Mahal, who died in AH 1040 (AD 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 fairytale like marvel.

The construction of Taj Mahal was started in AD 1631 and completed at the end of 1648 AD. For seventeen years, twenty thousand workmen are said to be employed on it daily, for their accommodation a small town, named after the deceased empress-'Mumtazabad, now known as Taj Ganj, was built adjacent to it. Amanat Khan Shirazi was the calligrapher of Taj Mahal, his name occurs at the end of an inscription on one of the gates of the Taj. Poet Ghyasuddin had designed the verses on the tombstone, while Ismail Khan Afridi of Turkey was the dome maker. Muhammad Hanif was the superintendent of Masons. The designer of Taj Mahal was Ustad Ahmad Lahauri. The material was brought in from all over India and central Asia and it took a fleet of 1000 elephants to transport it to the site. The central dome is 187 feet high at the centre. Red sandstone was brought from Fatehpur Sikri, Jasper from Punjab, Jade and Crystal from China, Turquoise from Tibet, Lapis Lazuli and Sapphire from Sri Lanka, Coal and Cornelian from Arabia and diamonds from Panna. In all 28 kind of rare, semi precious and precious stones were used for inlay work in the Taj Mahal. The chief building material, the white marble was brought from the quarries of Makrana, in distt. Nagaur, Rajasthan.

Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal, beyond doubt, is the most precious architectural heritage of the wonder that was India. As Fergusson remarked, "it is the combination of so many beauties, and the perfect manner in which each is subordinated to the other that makes up a whole, which the word can not match and which never fails to impress even those who are most indifferent to the effects produced by architectural objects in general". Taj Mahal, built by Shah Jahan in memory of his consort Mumtaz Mahal at Agra (UP), is perhaps most enduring symbol of human love. Arguably, it is still India's most popular tourist attraction. Infact, for many outsiders visiting India, it is the most irresistible spot. This perfectly symmetrical edifice is set amidst landscaped gardens on the banks of Yamuna river. Built under the supervision of persian architect Ustad Isa, the building in white marble has the verses of the holy Quran inscribed on it, with the gate being crowned by 22 small doves. Constructed between 1631 (when Mumtaz Mahal died) and 1653, Shah Jahan had called experts from Europe, too namely Austin of Bordeaux and Veroneo of Venice. The two had a hand in the Taj Mahal's decoration.

The Taj Mahal has been constructed on a 313 square feet marble platform, enclosed within a high boundary wall with broad octagonal pavilions at the corners the most elegant dome has a diameter of 60 feet and a height of 80 feet. Pietra dura, semi precious stones inlaid into the marble in beautiful patterns, is perhaps at its best here. The jewel inlaid cenotaph of the queen lies within the dome. Set against the plain across the river Yamuna, that works its magic of colours that, through their reflection, change the view of the Taj Mahal, the tomb especially appreciated for its perfect proportions and exquisite workmanship. As they say about the Mughals in general, it has been "designed like giants and finished like jewellers".

Though, later critics saw a sentimental strain in the construction, built avowedly on a concept which makes death an almost nostalgic aspiration to the onlooker, the Taj Mahal is all its timeless beauty is still the inspiration to poets and painters, writers and photographers. So much so, that it offers a challenge to the poetic imagination, as does the best in the so-called Indo-Islamic 'baroque' style.

Although the Taj Mahal, also noted for its features like finely cut marble screens and use of gems, is amazingly graceful from almost any angle, its close-up is really astounding. Hence, travelmasti suggests, whenever you are in Agra, rise at dawn and allow yourself some time to visit the Taj Mahal's chameleon - like guises in different light. If Agra, whose origins are recounted in the epic Mahabharata as 'Agrabana', is paradise, then the Taj is arguably its heart core! .

Places to visit
Agra Fort: Agra might be world famous for the Taj Mahal, built by the Mughal emperor Shahjahan in memory of his beloved wife. However, it is also famous for the Agra Fort, which is a veritable treasure trove of the Mughal architectural tradition. The various buildings within this sprawling fort complex represent the assimilation of different cultures, which was the mark of the Mughal period

Itmad-ud-daulah Tomb: Itmad-ud daulah, one of the most beautiful of Mughal tombs, stands across the river Yamuna from the Taj Mahal, nearly one and a half kilometers up-stream. Belonging to the age of Jahangir, it contains cenotaphs of Mirza Ghiyas and Asmat Begum, parents of the powerful Mughal Empress Nurjahan queen of Jahangir, an exceptional beauty and an astute administrator. Mirza Ghiyas had left Persian in sheer penury in search of better prospects at the Mughal court. He benefited much from the influence of his daughter who he had once abandoned in the desert. Akbar offered him a good rank and privileges. Jahangir made him his prime minister with the title Itmad-ud-daulah (Pillar of the State). Nurjahan's brother Asaf Khan later became prime minister of Shahjahan. This Persian family formed at the Mughal court giving the grand Mughals two most celebrated queens-Nurjahan and Mumtaz Mahal (Lady of the Taj), daughter of Asaf Khan

Akbar’s Tomb: Akbar’s tomb at Sikandra is an excellent example of assimilation of different styles of architecture and it represents a significant departure from the earlier Mughal buildings. The tomb carries the characteristic flavor of the airy tiered pavilions of the Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri.

Akbar was the third emperor of the Mughal dynasty that ruled India in the medieval period. In 1556, at the tender age of 14, he was crowned the Mughal ruler following the sudden death of his father Humayun. Akbar was not only a good administrator but also a connoisseur of art and architecture.

The architectural prowess of this great monarch is evident from the numerous buildings built by him within the precincts of the great Agra Fort. Most of the buildings within this fort represent a unique blending of different architectural styles. Later on, he went on to build the imperial city at Fatehpur Sikri (near Agra). The buildings at Fatehpur Sikri belong to a composite style of architecture with the predominating Islamic style cleverly blended with local Rajasthani and Gujarati styles. The style of architecture characterized by airy tiered pavilions that emerged at Fatehpur Sikri can best be described as a melting pot of different cultures. It not only made Indian culture rich but also reflected the broadminded nature of Akbar and his prosperous reign.

Fatehpur Sikri: Fatehpur Sikri was the imperial city of the Mughal dynasty between 1571 and 1584. Built by the Mughal emperor Akbar, this royal city is one of a kind. The architectural grandeur of this deserted city cannot be described in words and one can only experience the aura of its magnificent edifices by seeing them.

The buildings within Fatehpur Sikri are a unique blend of different architectural traditions. Though the general layout and concept of the buildings conform to the Islamic style of architecture, the actual buildings (mainly palaces), their ornate columns, arches, carving style, etc., show a strong Hindu style in general and that of Gujarat and Rajasthan in particular.

How to Get There
Thousands of people from all over the world visit Taj Mahal. It is the most popular tourist destination in India. To reach Taj Majal the modes of transportation available are; By Air, By Train and By Road.

By Air: The domestic airline in India, Indian Airlines carries daily flight from Delhi to Agra. This flight takes 40 mins to reach Kheria Airport. Kheria Airport is the Airport of Agra, which is around 6km from the Agra city centre and is well connected to major cities of India.

By Train: Agra is well connected by excellent train services to Delhi such as the Shatabdi express(2 hrs), Taj express(2.5 hrs), intercity express(3 hrs).

Railway Stations: Agra Cantt Rly Stn, Enquiry: 131, 133. Reservation: 364611 Raja-ki-Mundi Rly Stn, Contact: 354477 Agra Fort Rly Stn, enbquiry: 132, 135 Reservation: 364131 Tundla Rly Stn on Ferozabad Rd (for changing trains) 05611-22631

By Road: Express Bus services(A/C and Non A/C) are available from Delhi, Jaipur, Lucknow, Gwalior and Jhansi. For Diving to Agra the distances are:
• Mathura - 58 kms
• Bharatpur - 60 kms
• Gwalior - 118 kms
• Delhi - 203 kms
• Jaipur India- 236 kms
• Khajuraho - 363 kms

Local transport at Agra: On reaching Agra, you can commute using Auto-rikshaws, tongas, cycle rikshaws, and taxis. The intercity buses are also available that run from different points on fixed rates. Both a/c and non a/c coaches and taxis can be hired at Agra for local sight seeing.