Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal (/ˈtɑːdʒ məˈhɑːl/ often pron.: /ˈtɑːʒ/;^[2] Hindi: ताज महल, from Persian/Urdu: تاج محل‎ "crown of palaces",pronounced [ˈt̪aːdʒ mɛˈɦɛl]; also "the Taj"^[3]) is a white marble mausoleum located in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. It was built byMughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal is widely recognized as "the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage".^[4]

Taj Mahal is regarded by many as the finest example of Mughal architecture, a style that combines elements from Islamic,Persian, Ottoman Turkish and Indian architectural styles.^[5][6]

In 1983, the Taj Mahal became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While the white domed marble mausoleum is the most familiar component of the Taj Mahal, it is actually an integrated complex of structures. The construction began around 1632 and was completed around 1653, employing thousands of artisans and craftsmen.^[7] The construction of the Taj Mahal was entrusted to a board of architects under imperial supervision, including Abd ul-Karim Ma'mur Khan, Makramat Khan, and Ustad Ahmad Lahauri.^[8][9] Lahauri^[10] is generally considered to be the principal designer.^[11][12]

Tourism

The Taj Mahal attracts a large number of tourists. UNESCO documented more than 2 million visitors in 2001, including more than 200,000 from overseas.^[45] A two tier pricing system is in place, with a significantly lower entrance fee for Indian citizens and a more expensive one for foreigners. Most tourists visit in the cooler months of October, November and February. Polluting traffic is not allowed near the complex and tourists must either walk from parking lots or catch an electric bus. The Khawasspuras (northern courtyards) are currently being restored for use as a new visitor center.^[46][47]

The small town to the south of the Taj, known as Taj Ganji or Mumtazabad, was originally constructed with caravanserais, bazaars and markets to serve the needs of visitors and workmen.^[48] Lists of recommended travel destinations often feature the Taj Mahal, which also appears in several listings of seven wonders of the modern world, including the recently announced New Seven Wonders of the World, a recent poll^[49] with 100 million votes.

The grounds are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays, except for Friday when the complex is open for prayers at the mosque between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. The complex is open for night viewing on the day of the full moon and two days before and after,^[50] excluding Fridays and the month of Ramadan. For security reasons^[51] only five items—water in transparent bottles, small video cameras, still cameras, mobile phones and small ladies' purses—are allowed inside the Taj Mahal.^[52