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Taj Mahal
- Wonder of the World
Taj Mahal, a mausoleum that was built on the
southern bank of the Yamuna (Jumna) River, outside
Agra in India, by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan
in memory of his wife, Arjumand Banu Begam (also called Mumtaz Mahal, of which
the name Taj Mahal is a corruption). She died in childbirth in the town of
Burhanpur in 1631, after having been the emperor's inseparable companion since
their marriage in 1612. The building was commenced around 1632 by plans prepared
by a council of architects from India, Persia, Central Asia, and beyond. More
than 20,000 workmen were employed daily to complete the mausoleum itself by
about 1643 and the immediate adjuncts (mosques, wall and gateway) by about 1649.
The entire Taj complex took 22 years to complete, at a cost of 40,000,000
rupees.
Qutab
Minar
Qutab-ud-din Aibak, founder of the first of the
five dynasties known as the Delhi Sultanate, built this earliest surviving
Islamic structure in India. Located about 9 miles south of Connaught Place in
Delhi, construction of this tower was started in 1199. It was completed by
another Muslim king, Iltutmish. Made of sandstone, its fluted form narrows at
the top. This tower (minar) is 238 feet tall and consists of five progressively
shorter stories that are separated by balconies. Inscriptions from the Quran are
inlaid in the stone to form bands of intricate designs. In front of the imposing
structure is an iron pillar and beside it is a mosque. It is commonly believed
that Qutab Minar set the tone for Islamic architecture in
India.
Jama
Masjid
One of the country's largest mosques, this is
handsome structure where thousands of Muslims offer prayer even today. Located
across the Red Fort in Delhi, this grand structure was also built by Shah Jahan.
It was completed in 1656. It highlights the Mughal kings' commitment to religion
and prayer.
Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi
The official residence of the President of India
was built on Raisina Hill near Parliament House. This magnificent sandstone
building was designed by Lutyens as the home of the British Viceroys of India.
It was completed in 1929 and combines the best of both Indian and western
architecture. The building is crowned by an impressive dome.
Built on 330 acres, it overlooks a beautiful Mughal garden and sits on one end
of Rajpath, the site of Republic Day (January 26) parades. Rashtrapati Bhawan
has 340 rooms, 18 staircases, 74 lobbies and 37 fountains. The Durbar Hall and
the Ashoka Hall within the complex is where the president hosts visiting
dignitaries and swears in the Prime Minister and his or her cabinet.
India Gate
This 42-meter high structure is located on the
other end of Rajpath from the Rashtrapati. Also designed by Lutyens as a war
memorial, it has the names of Indian soldiers who died in World War I inscribed
on it. An eternal flame, a tribute to the Unknown Soldier, was placed under the
arch in 1971.
Lotus
Temple
A recent architectural marvel of the Bahai faith,
this marble temple is in the form of a blossoming lotus. Completed in 1986, its
main hall is designated as a place of meditation. The temple is a symbol of the
spiritual unity of mankind. Located in South Delhi near Kalkaji, it is
surrounded by acres of gardens.
Red Fort
Also known as the Lal Qila (Lal - red, Qila -
fort), the fort is laid out along the river Yamuna as an irregular octagon. It
is surrounded by a wall of about 2.4 km circumference built of red sandstone.
The Mughal ruler Shah Jahan transferred his capital from Agra to Delhi, and 9
years later in 1648 the fort was completed. The fort has two main entrances, the
Delhi Gate and the Lahori Gate. The latter faces Chandni Chowk, the city's most
crowded and diverse market.
The fort has the Diwa-e-am, where the king would grant audience to the public to
listen to their grievances. The other feature is the Diwan-e-Khas (khas means
"special") where the king would grant audience to important people.
Lingaraja
Temple, Bhubaneswar
This is a prime example of Indian architecture in
its most mature and fully developed state. The great Lingaraja soars above the
city and dominates the landscape. It dates to the 11th century, the time the
Jagannath cult had become predominant in Orissa. The presiding deity is the
Svayambhu Linga - half Shiva, half Vishnu. Almost all Hindu gods and goddesses
are represented in this temple, reflecting the basic harmonious nature of the
religion.
The Golden
Temple, Amritsar
The Golden Temple was first built by the fifth
guru, Guru Arjun Singhji, to house the Granth Sahib - the holy book of the
Sikhs. It was rebuilt in 1803 by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The temple is also known
as Darbar Sahib or Hari Mandir Sahib. The temple is located in Amritsar and is
the holiest place of the Sikh faith. It is built in the middle of a holy pool.
The dome of the temple is covered by a gold leaf. The interior decoration
consists of inlay work done with semi-precious stones in a delicate floral
design.
The Akal Takht (or the immortal throne) was established near the temple by the
sixth Sikh Guru, Guru Hargobind Singhji. It is the seat of the supreme head of
the Sikh religious authority.
Sun
Temple, Konark
One of the most stunning symbols of ancient
Indian architecture, the Sun temple is the crowning glory of Oriya temple art.
Centuries of myth and legend shroud its past. Built in the 13th century, the
entire temple was designed in the shape of a colossal chariot, carrying the Sun
god, Surya, pulled by seven horses.
The 24 giant wheels of the chariot symbolize the division of time. The temple is
a brilliant chronicle in stone, with thousands of images including deities, the
Surasundaris, heavenly damsels and dancers, and other scenes from courtly life.
Hawa Mahal
Or 'The Palace of Winds' is the most recognizable
monument of Jaipur. The five-story pyramidal building with overhanging latticed
balconies is unique in conception and is designed to catch the cool breeze on a
hot summer's day.
The Palace borders one of the busiest thoroughfares of the city. It was built in
1799 for the ladies of the royal household to view the activity of the
market-place from the privacy of their balconies.
Ajanta,
Maharashtra
It was as late as the 19th century when a party
of British officers discovered the Ajanta caves. For a long time, they lay
buried in the debris of time. The caves survived hundreds of years in the
Sahyadri hills to tell the story of a rich and a glorious past from 200 BC to
650 AD. These 30 caves were built to offer seclusion to the Buddhist monks who
lived, taught and performed rituals in the Chaityas and Viharas, which were the
seats of learning and cultural movement. Inspired by faith and devotion, each
figure has been carved by the monks using just hammer and chisel.
Ajanta offers a rich tapestry of images that speak of places, royalty, culture
and tales of everyday life of ancient India. Many of the Ajanta caves hold
panels that illustrate stories from the Jatakas - a large repertoire of tales of
incarnations of Buddha. From numerous images of Buddha to nymphs and princesses
and various other characters, Ajanta engravings are an unmatched visual treat.
A few other examples of these engravings are the flying apsara in cave 17, the
preaching Buddha in cave 16 or the sculptured Nagaraja in a sitting posture with
his consort and a female attendant. These enigmatic caves set deep in the hills
still illuminate with natural light during some part of the day.
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