Taj Mahal

Agra Complex, Agra, India 1632- 1648 • Taj Mahal Complex, Agra, India • Taj Mahal Complex, Agra, India • Taj Mahal Complex, Agra, India • Taj Mahal Complex, Agra, India • Taj Mahal • Agra, India • Taj Mahal Complex, Agra, India • Taj Mahal Complex, Agra, India • Taj Mahal Complex, Agra, India Taj Mahal Complex, Agra, India Taj Mahal Complex, Agra, India Taj Mahal Complex, Agra, India General view of the tomb, with its axial pool and gardens Taj Mahal Complex, Agra, India General view of the tomb, with its axial pool and gardens Taj Mahal Complex, Agra, India Exterior general view of side path to the mausoleum Taj Mahal Complex, Agra, India Exterior view of main entrance facade Taj Mahal Complex, Agra, India Exterior view of the main facade and the linear pool with fountains, and gardens on either side Taj Mahal Complex, Agra, India Exterior View of the Taj with the axial reflecting pool Taj Mahal Complex, Agra, India View of the forecourt and the main entrance gateway from the terrace of the mausoleum • Taj Mahal Complex, Agra, India Exterior detail view of the flanking garden pavilion Taj Mahal Complex, Agra, India Exterior view of adjacent to the main tomb • Taj Mahal Complex, Mausoleum, Agra, India View along the podium toward the corner minar • Taj Mahal Complex, Mausoleum, Agra, India View of the front façade and the reflecting pool • Taj Mahal Complex, Mausoleum, Agra, India The mausoleum framed by the entrance gate • Taj Mahal Complex, Mausoleum, Agra, India View of the side façade of the tomb Taj Mahal Complex, Mausoleum, Agra, India Detail view of the main portal • Taj Mahal Complex, Mausoleum, Agra, India Exterior detail of portal Completed in 1653, this tomb for the wife of the extravagant & eccentric Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan - Mumtaz Mahal, is now one of the most famous landmarks in the world Semi-precious stones, meticulously inlaid into the marble (a process known as pietra dura), form ornate patterns covering the Taj Mahal's beautifully decorated exterior. Semi-precious stones, meticulously inlaid into the marble (a process known as pietra dura), Close up detail of the Taj Mahal's intricately decorated exterior. Carved into white marble (here reflected in the dawn light), the flowers reminded the Mughals of their beloved summer retreat -

Kashmir. Close up detail of the Taj Mahal's intricately decorated marble exterior. Inlaid with semiprecious stones (in a meticulously executed process known as pietra dura), Verses from the , in Arabic, are inlaid into the Taj Mahal's marble exterior. Emperor Shah Jahan, at Agra, India, 1630 ﺗﺎج ﻣﺤﻞ to 1653 Taj Mahal Complex, Mausoleum, Agra, India Exterior detail of inlaid floral decoration Taj Mahal Complex, Mausoleum, Agra, India Exterior detail of floral relief decoration • Taj Mahal Complex, Mausoleum, Agra, India Exterior detail of inlaid calligraphy on facade Taj Mahal Complex, Mausoleum, Agra, India Exterior detail of inlaid calligraphy on wall • Taj Mahal Complex, Mausoleum, Agra, India Exterior close-up of southern façade, left flank Taj Mahal Complex, Mausoleum, Agra, India Exterior close-up of southern façade, showing the upper half of central arch Taj Mahal Taj Mahal Taj Mahal - Inside Pictures Taj Mahal - Inside Pictures

• The Taj Mahal • Side view • TAJ Mahal Taj Mahal

• The towers. Out of perspective • A bit of bulk • The Taj may be graceful, but it's a huge building. Everything is solid. • Tower • Taj Mahal • at the corner of podium Taj Mahal, a mausoleum in Agra, India, regarded as one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. Red sandstone gate red sandstone gate • Side wall Detail: Koranic inscription. The word as art Carved stonework Stone inlay over doorway Detail Detail: inlaid semi-precious stones Detail: roof vaulting over the front entrance Detail: stone carving

Qutub Minar, 's great stone tower • The Qutub Minar (pronounced kuh'-tub mee- 'nahr), or the Tower of Qutub, is the tallest freestanding stone tower in the world (approx. 250 feet). It's also very old - just a shade over 800 years old, to be precise. Qutub-id-din, an Afghan warrior prince, invaded northern India and captured Delhi near the end of the 12th century. He built a large palace complex to the south of the city that included India's first mosque, as well as this tower. The Qutub Minar eventually served as his mausoleum, not to mention as an excellent perch for spotting potential invaders. Qutab-ud-din Aibak

• Qutab-ud-din Aibak, the first Muslim ruler of Delhi, commenced the construction of the Qutub Minar in A.D. 1193, but could only complete its basement. His successor, Iltutmush, added three more stories, and in 1368, Firoz Shah Tuglak constructed the fifth and the last storey. The development of architectural styles from Aibak to Tuglak are quate evident in the minar. Close to the mosque is one of Delhi's most curious structures the Iron Pillar. Dating back to 4th century A.D., the pillar bears an inscription which states that it was erected as a flagstaff in honour of the Hindu god, Vishnu. • Koranic inscriptions • Qutub Minar • 1202 A.D • Height: 71.32 metres • Delhi • Qutub Minar Mosque Delhi • Qutub Minar • The Minaret • 72.5 meters hight. • Qutub Minar Mosque Delhi Qutub Minar - Delhi • Minaret of Gutub Minar Mosque • Delhi Detail from Qutub Minar Mosque • Minaret of Qutub Minar Mosque • Delhi • Details of stone carvings in the Mosque at Qutub Minar, Dehli, which include many ancient Hindu temple stones. • Columns of Mosque ruins at Qutub Minar in Dehli • Jama Masjid • The largest mosque in India Jama Masjid - Delhi Delhi Qutab Minar • Minaret of Qutub Minar Mosque • Delhi • Minaret of Qutub Minar Mosque • Delhi • Minaret of Qutub Minar Mosque • Delhi • Minaret of Qutub Minar Mosque • Delhi • INDIA, CITIES Delhi; the Minar minaret; the 7th wonder of Hindustan with a 234' tower begun in 1199 and finished in the 14thC • INDIA, CITIES Delhi; the Qutb Minar minaret; the 7th wonder of Hindustan; a 234' tower begun in 1199 and a 4th century iron pillar

• INDIA, CITIES ; The built 1648 The Moti Masjid or Pearl Mosque designed for Shah Aurangzeb INDIA, CITIES New Delhi; The Red Fort built 1648 Diwan-i-Khas or Hall of Private Audience & royal chamber INDIA, ARCHITECTURE Agra; Islamic mosque