Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal is known to have been made during the reign of Emperor Shah Jahan of the Mughal Empire. The building, built 22 years, from 1631 to 1653, was the building dedicated by Emperor Shah Jahan to his third wife -Mumtaz Mahal-who had died giving birth to their 14th child.

Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan himself was a descendant of the 4th generation of the Mughal Empire. He is the son of Jahangir and grandson of the great King Akbar. Shah Jahan was born in 1592 under the name of Yudis Al Yusuf, after which he was later appointed prince with the title of Prince Khurram.

Shah Jahan was a great leader who was very successful in building his empire. The beginning of his meeting with Mumtaz Mahal even began when he was inspecting his territory. Precisely while walking through the Meena Bazaar, he met the figure of a beautiful girl who was peddling glass beads and silk fabrics. This girl named Mumtaz ul Zamani makes Shah Jahan fall in love at first sight.

At that time, King Shah Jahan actually had two wives. However, because of Mumtaz's enchanting look, coupled with his beautiful words and speeches, the king never thought twice to marry a virgin who was actually the grandson of the Persian aristocracy named Arjumand Banu Begum. They married in 1612.

In 1628, Prince Shah Jahan then rose in his father's place. His wife Mumtaz ul Zamani was awarded the nickname "Mumtaz Mahal" which means "Jewel of the Palace." This nickname was given by King Mumtaz as a form of his love of the empress Mumtaz Mahal is indeed a woman whom the King Shah Jahan.Whereever the King goes, Mumtaz will always be asked to accompany him.

King Shah Jahan's great love for his third wife was then to meet with a thorn storm. When giving birth to their 14th child, precisely in 1631 Mumtaz Mahal passed away. This is where the exact history of the origin of the Taj Mahal begins. Mumtaz's departure was a heavy blow for King Shah Jahan. In his depression, Shah Jahan also promised untu will not marry again. He also vowed to build a very magnificent tomb for his beloved wife.

To realize his second oath, Shah Jahan asked Ustadz Ahmad as Minister in the Mughal Empire to design the Taj Mahal. The Ustadz who received the command, immediately moved quickly. He collected 20,000 workers consisting of carvers, builders, masons, and goldsmiths. For his own architect Ustadz ahmad asked Isa Muhammed to design this building and take an important part in the history of the origin of the Taj Mahal.

At first King Janan wanted the Taj Mahal made in black. Black color was chosen to commemorate the pain and sadness experienced by King Janan after his wife abandoned. But the wishes of this king Janan successfully prevented by his son because if the Taj Mahal made with black, the time required to get the material to manufacture will be longer.

Starting from 1630 until 1653, the construction of taj Mahal continued accelerated. A total of 44 types of gemstones, such as jed, crystal, diamond, topaz, and patchouli are used as interior to beautify Taj Mahal. The building is made with a symmetrical pattern, where the tomb of Queen Mumtaz Mahal is right in the middle.

In 1653, the Taj Mahal mosque was completed. This mosque stands majestic and its power is so powerful. Already several generations passed, the time that came and go, proved no effect on the robustness of this building. Until finally in 1983, the Taj Mahal was later inaugurated into one of the world cultural heritage by UNESCO and incorporated into one of the 7 wonders of the world to date.