Visual and Contextual Analysis of Taj Mahal Essay

Introduction

Taj Mahal, India's most famous structure across the four corners of the world has a rich history. Built all the way back in the 17th century, by Shah Jahan, Mughal's Emperor; it still stands magnificently with no signs of giving in to the wear and tear of time. The Emperor's most beloved wife, Mumtaz Muhal, died during childbirth, and the Emperor couldn't let go of her that easily. He was too attached to her like no one else has in the history of love between man and woman. Actually, the Emperor, after the demise of his precious wife, went on a mournful fast, eating nothing and drinking nothing just to express his overwhelming grief. In the course of his sorrowful times, he decided to build his departed wife a mausoleum. While that was the sole purpose of the building, it has since become India's architectural pride, that is admired globally.

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Visual Analysis

The world's historical and magnificent monument, Taj Mahal, is an impressively huge yet beautiful structure. This building is India's Mughal region's invaluable contribution to the world of architecture. Although it was built to be a burial site for the Emperor's beloved wife, it has is a conspicuous show of might, beauty, power, and splendor of Mughal. The structure is so impressive that UNESCO has also made it its central; cultural building. A stone throws away across River Jamna the mausoleum can be seen flanked by a mosque to the right and Mihman Khana to the left. It looks steadily magnificent in a distinguishing white color. The mosque and Mihman Khana which assume the colors of strong red-brown colors help reveal the beauty of the white mausoleum.

Taj Mahal, together with its peripheral structures such as the mosques, form a humongous yet spacious and attractive complex. The readings provided reveal that the complex measures 896.10 x 300.84 m. From the look of it, the construction of the entire complex was based on a careful plan thanks to the emperor's affection for his wife. It was designed to resemble a palatial compound that has its full garden except that the garden, in this case, is an area dedicated to tombs. Perhaps, the Emperor created a home for his empress in the afterworld through which he would pay her a visit in the dimensions of spiritual faith. The garden (tomb area) is divided into two; the lower part that resembles a quad of gardens, and the upper part that is basically the flunky buildings of the entire complex. The buildings overlook the river. That was perhaps the sight created intentionally to remind the Emperor of his beloved wife. Traditionally, Indians cremate their dead ones. It can be visualized as standing on one end of the ship, overlooking the sea after pouring the ashes of the departed loved ones, then perhaps having a moment of silence, or just taking time to meditate about the good times one had with the deceased.

Another impressive appearance of this mausoleum is the waterfront formed by the river. It is quite ironical that the garden is surrounded by a river, which from any perspective would show a well-maintained garden. The irony is in the fact that a garden is a resting place for the departed. However, there is a powerful symbolism in that location. Jahan's love for his wife is brought clearly by that presentation. Since this was more of a home created for his wife to spend eternity in, the site was likely chosen to signify that even in death; he would supply her with everything she needed for nourishment.

The complex is such a self-contained building that includes what one would refer to as servants' quarters in the palace. It is quite a noble idea that can only be compared with the impressions that such buildings as the white house create. The inside walls of the complex have a section for a gallery where paintings of the history of the Emperor's conquest are displayed. Although this garden was meant to be a place for the empress to rest, its architecture has more than meets the eye. The whole structure has fortified walls which are monumental by design. That shows just how mighty Mughal was, undefeated army perhaps.

Contextual Analysis

Taj Mahal is taller than a 20-story building. It was built according to the instructions of Emperor Jahan who was willing to pay anything to see to it that it was completed. It was a special commemoration of his dearest wife's death. His description of what he wanted to build was simply that which no eyes have beheld, no mind has conceived, and no works of man has done. It is important to note at this point that this was an Emperor, the most powerful ruler in those days. When he said he wanted something that no man had seen or heard of before, he was making a point of a mighty ruler. It was a proclamation of power, might, authority, wealth, and splendor. The story of this structure can only be compared with the might of Egyptian Pharaohs upon whose death, were buried with their servants alive! Such powerful people's wishes were actual commands.

The people of Mughal were a religious community. They believed in life after death. It is in that faith that Jahan erected the mausoleum for his wife. He wanted a peaceful and royal eternity for her. He wanted her to maintain her glory that attracted people from the farthest ends of the earth to continue existing even upon her death. The fact that the Emperor ensured that the mausoleum complex had servant quarters was a clear demonstration that his empress was still powerful, and everyone had to grant her that respect even upon death. The tomb was actually a reminder to all people that there was once an empress about whom no one in Mughal was to forget.

The dream of the Emperor was to put Mughal at the center of the world. As an expression of love to his departed wife, he was also declaring the power and might of his love. The political message that the tomb sent was not light. It triggered imaginations in the thoughts of his adversaries about what he would do to them if he could build such a humongous building just for his dead wife. The building also was constructed at a time when Mughal enjoy the peace and political stability. It would have been impossible to erect such a huge complex building at times of war.

The historical accounts of Taj Mahal depict a peaceful and smooth period of building. In the texts that were provided, instances of the opposition are completely untraceable. This shows just how much the people of Mughal loved and supported their Emperor. It also illustrates just how they also loved their empress. It is by extension a demonstration of love and support between a people and their leadership. Just like Taj Mahal stands tall and magnificently, the people of Mughal were united and immovable solid rocks.

The complex is so vast. The tomb is sandwiched between two mosques. That is an illustration of the religiousness of the people of Mughal. It is also by design a belief that the empress' soul was resting in paradise, enjoying the protection of the celestial beings. To both, the left and right of the tomb are towers of the mosques with the iconic oval concrete cap typical of mosques. It was an open declaration of their belief in their deity.

The ambition upon which Taj Mahal was built was to create a name for Mughal as well as be a commemoration for the deceased empress. It was actually a demonstration of the position of women in that society. They were an adored and highly esteemed part of the community. When Jahan's other wives also died they were not denied burial in the garden. He loved all of his wives except that he loved Mumtaz Muhal more. The fact that the Emperor had not decreed that such a building be established in his name or a remembrance for him upon death cannot go unnoticed. That is itself a message that the Emperor was a selfless leader.

Taj Mahal was built as a commemoration of Emperor Jahan's most loved wife, Mumtaz Muhal. It was meant to be her final resting place even as the emperor tried to console himself. The architectural design of the building was by far the most impressive then. Jahan wanted a wonder of the world to serve as the tribute to his beloved wife. Today, the complex has made India one of the most favorable tourists' destinations. The building has inspired many architectural designs around the globe and is also among the wonders of the world. That way, Jahan's dreams and ambitions of having the name of his beloved wife Mumtaz Muhal remembered to eternity remains alive and kicking. It is not unusual to see movies and series allude to Taj Mahal as a place worth visiting.

The artistic impression of Taj Mahal is hard to ignore. The geographical location of its complexity is rich in history. The entire building is filled with history and is actually storage for the fragrance of India's ancient times. Just like Mumtaz Muhal was a treasure to the emperor, Taj Mahal has become a treasure to India's authority. Additionally, it has also become the apple of UNESCO's eye since it is its hallmark of cultural heritage. The architectural dimensions have also become an area of interest for many scholars as they attempt to unveil the mystery that Taj Mahal truly is. Researchers are continuing to study the structure for no single research can fully explain the visual and contextual symbolism that the complex boasts. One would even ask, could it be that shopping malls around the world draw their architectural inspiration from Taj Mahal? The complexities of today's malls and gated communities bear the resemblance of a certain degree to the structural design of Taj Mahal.

References

Koch, Ebba. "The Taj Mahal: Architecture, Symbolism, and Urban Significance." Muqarnas, 22, (2005): 128-149.

Hoag, John D. "The Tomb of Ulugh Beg and Abdu Razzaq at Ghazni, A Model for the Taj Mahal." Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians, 27, no. 4 (1968): 234-248.