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BEST OF THE PALACES
India has thousands of architectural masterpieces representing many styles and periods. The most famous of these is a marble monument in Agra,
which for centuries has drawn travelers across the desert to stand before it in awe.
The Taj Mahal has inspired works of literature and music,
and seems to symbolize India to the world, yet few know what it actually is. This elegant, perfectly proportioned building, whose name roughly translates as "best of the palaces" is a mausoleum for the wife of the
famous Moghul emperor Shah Jahan.
Arjuman Banu Begum, who after marriage was renamed Mumtaz Mahal, or "exalted of the palace," was much beloved
by the emperor and by her subjects. Her generosity, kindness and talents were legendary. After fourteen years of marriage, during which she bore fourteen children, Mumtaz Mahal died in childbirth in 1629. Shah Jahan
was overcome with grief and committed himself to building for his wife the most extravagant and beautiful memorial ever created. It took 20,000 workers and artisans twenty-two years to complete the Taj Mahal.
The Taj is enormous, measuring 186 feet on each side, and rising to a height of 243 feet. But it is more notable for its beauty than its size. It is
primarily constructed of white marble, set on a 300-foot square platform in a checkerboard design of black and white marble blocks. This in turn is set on another platform of rosy sandstone.
From a distance, the white marble surface appears smooth and luminescent, especially when viewed in the glow of moonlight. But upon closer
inspection, it can be seen that the Taj is not at all an unadorned expanse of marble. In fact, the entire surface is elaborately ornamented with pietra dura work, in which semiprecious gemstones are inlaid into the marble in various designs. Intricately decorated with carnelian, jasper, and other indigenous stones, the Taj could have been designed by a jeweler.
Shah Jahan had originally planned to build a companion to the Taj, a black marble mausoleum for himself which was to be joined to the Taj by a
bridge. Before work on his tomb could begin, however, Shah Jahan was deposed and imprisoned by one of his sons, who decided his father's plan was too extravagant. Upon Shah Jahan's death, the new emperor ordered
that a tomb for his father be built inside the Taj, in the octagonal room containing the sepulcher of the queen.
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TEST QUESTIONS
1. "Mumtaz Mahal" means
?????????
2. How long did it take to build the Taj Mahal?
?????????
3. Each side of the Taj measures
?????????
4. A precious gemstone mentioned is
????????? or ?????????
5. The Taj is built mostly of what very special material?
?????????
6. The Taj may be said to symbolize
?????????
7. The Taj was intended to be a
?????????
8. Shah Jahan's son had his father entombed in the Taj because his father's plan was too
?????????
9. Most people who visit the Taj are impressed by its
?????????
10. Because they use the same materials, The Taj could have been designed by
?????????
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BEST OF THE PALACES
India has thousands of architectural masterpieces representing many styles and periods. The most famous of these is a marble monument in Agra,
which for centuries has drawn travelers across the desert to stand before it in awe.
The Taj Mahal has inspired works of literature and music,
and seems to symbolize India to the world, yet few know what it actually is. This elegant, perfectly proportioned building, whose name roughly translates as "best of the palaces" is a mausoleum for the wife of the
famous Moghul emperor Shah Jahan.
Arjuman Banu Begum, who after marriage was renamed Mumtaz Mahal, or "exalted of the palace," was much beloved
by the emperor and by her subjects. Her generosity, kindness and talents were legendary. After fourteen years of marriage, during which she bore fourteen children, Mumtaz Mahal died in childbirth in 1629. Shah Jahan
was overcome with grief and committed himself to building for his wife the most extravagant and beautiful memorial ever created. It took 20,000 workers and artisans twenty-two years to complete the Taj Mahal.
The Taj is enormous, measuring 186 feet on each side, and rising to a height of 243 feet. But it is more notable for its beauty than its size. It is
primarily constructed of white marble, set on a 300-foot square platform in a checkerboard design of black and white marble blocks. This in turn is set on another platform of rosy sandstone.
From a distance, the white marble surface appears smooth and luminescent, especially when viewed in the glow of moonlight. But upon closer
inspection, it can be seen that the Taj is not at all an unadorned expanse of marble. In fact, the entire surface is elaborately ornamented with pietra dura work, in which semiprecious gemstones are inlaid into the marble in various designs. Intricately decorated with carnelian, jasper, and other indigenous stones, the Taj could have been designed by a jeweler.
Shah Jahan had originally planned to build a companion to the Taj, a black marble mausoleum for himself which was to be joined to the Taj by a
bridge. Before work on his tomb could begin, however, Shah Jahan was deposed and imprisoned by one of his sons, who decided his father's plan was too extravagant. Upon Shah Jahan's death, the new emperor ordered
that a tomb for his father be built inside the Taj, in the octagonal room containing the sepulcher of the queen.
RECORD YOUR TIME
PROCEED TO QUESTIONS
TEST QUESTIONS
1. "Mumtaz Mahal" means
?????????
2. How long did it take to build the Taj Mahal?
?????????
3. Each side of the Taj measures
?????????
4. A precious gemstone mentioned is
????????? or ?????????
5. The Taj is built mostly of what very special material?
?????????
6. The Taj may be said to symbolize
?????????
7. The Taj was intended to be a
?????????
8. Shah Jahan's son had his father entombed in the Taj because his father's plan was too
?????????
9. Most people who visit the Taj are impressed by its
?????????
10. Because they use the same materials, The Taj could have been designed by
?????????
CLICK TO SEE ANSWERS
Mark a "+" for correct, a "-" for incorrect or blank
ANSWERS TO TEST #1
1. Exalted of the Palaces
2. 22 years
3. 186 feet
4. carnelian or jasper
5. white marble (1/2 credit for "marble" only)
6. India
7. tomb or mausoleum
8. extravagant or expensive
9. beauty or magificence
10. jewelers
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