No comment

http://www.liveindia.com/tajmahal/taj-big.jpg

http://www.traveliteindia.com/spanish/images/tour_pictures/taj-mahal.jpg http://www.indembassy.be/taj%20mahal%202.JPG

http://www.energyenhancement.org/solpics2/sol30.jpg http://www.indetourisme.com/gifs/taj-mahal.jpg

http://www.fuqua.duke.edu/admin/stuserv/international/Taj%20Mahal.jpg

http://www.virtualmuseum.ca/Exhibitions/Valentin/Jpeg/fulltajmahal1.jpg http://www.photoatlas.com/photo/india_taj_mahal.jpg

http://imagesoftheworld.org/India/India041.jpg

http://jackchang.net/vivjack/photos5/Taj_Mahal_Back_121_3.jpg

http://www.songsmithministries.com/photo/galleries/india/20_i_top_of_taj_mahal.jpg

http://www.palaceimages.co.uk/Design/Assets/Images/India/delhiminaret.jpg http://www.masoudsoheili.com/India/01-TajMahal.jpg

http://www.shauni.co.uk/assets/duplicate1/Taj_Mahal_3.JPG

http://www.eng.usf.edu/~gopalakr/pics/taj/taj6.jpg

This kind of architecture deserves nothing less than 10/10.

http://www.taleblazing.com/1998/taj_mahal/taj_mahal_carvings.jpg
http://www.arhitektura.co.yu/images/History/taj_mahal/taj_mahal5.jpg

http://studhome.rrze.uni-erlangen.de/~sichkout/viii27.jpg

http://www6.wind.ne.jp/mrfujii/images/photo/foreign/india/taj/0399.jpg

Image deleted due to copyright violation

http://community.webshots.com/s/image1/7/44/72/102874472HtCSpn_ph.jpg

http://www.zyworld.com/slam33/taj13.jpg

http://rubens.anu.edu.au/student.projects/tajmahal/ornaDC100.GIF http://www.jannah.org/tajmahal/taj7.JPG

http://www.zlw-ima.rwth-aachen.de/forschung/projekte/seneka/indien/marmor/small/10-25.jpg

http://www.szfki.hu/~gabrisa/kepek/Roll03/AA024.jpg

http://elvis.rowan.edu/~shah/taj/tajgem.gif

10/10.

WOW Ilove this masterly, exellent, fantastic and unparalleled building

10/10

Who the hell voted 3 or less?

10/10

From the perfect symmetry of the carvings with incredible detail to the structure as a whole that stands tall, every single stone that went into the construction is in poetry Incredible, calling it a Masterpiece is an understatement

9.5

A Wonder......10 points...!

:nocrook:

10/10 Great!!!

9/10
One of the 'immortal' structures in this world. I like the way it changes appearance depending on the time of the day.

As many pictures that I've seen of it, there's still much that I don't know which in a way makes it even grander. Can anyone repost its architectural facts?

"Masterpiece" is, indeed, an understatement. 1000/10, if that were an option.

It is incredible. The Taj Mahal is definitely a masterpiece of architecture.

i have never imagine the taj mahal like this. GREAT!!!

Its very impressive!!!

8.5/10

Sooooooooo overrated... I overrated it myself 7

Sooooooooo overrated... I overrated it myself 7

Sooooooooooo obviously a troll.

Sooooooooooo obviously a troll.


Not even a good one.

9/10

worldwide known

10/10

Some images of the taj mahal
AGRA had been the Original Crown Jewel "showcase" Capital City of the Mughal Empire in 16th and 17th century and longest serving Mughal Capital for almost 200 yrs. Babar the founder of the Mughals dynasty after defeating Lodi of Sultanate rule and laid out the first formal Persian garden on the banks of river Yamuna. Emperor AKBAR made Agra his capital and raised the towering ramparts of the Great Red Fort. Akbar made it a centre for learning arts and commerce. Emperor JEHANGIR built rose-red palaces, courts and gardens inside the Red Fort, and Emperor SHAHJAHAN, better known for his all-consuming passion for architecture embellished it with Marble Mosques, Palaces and Pavilions of Gem-inlaid white marble. The Mughals capital later moved to Delhi in 1648. Out of four Mughal "Capital" cities, Delhi, Agra, Fatehpur Sikri, Aurangabad,.....Agra is the first, foremost, most important and the Greatest of them all. In terms of architecture and grandeur, No Mughal city capital or not can match Agra, a priceless wonder to behold.Enjoy it!!

http://www.dinodia.com/photos/images/JSA-14589.jpg

http://www.dinodia.com/photos/images/P053-10.jpg

http://www.dinodia.com/photos/images/PFL-91143.jpg

http://www.dinodia.com/photos/images/MBT-16516.jpg

http://www.dinodia.com/photos/images/A062-03.jpg

http://www.dinodia.com/photos/images/BOW-0094.jpg

http://www.dinodia.com/photos/images/PFL-91142.jpg

http://www.dinodia.com/photos/images/A062-01.jpg

http://www.dinodia.com/photos/images/P053-05.jpg

http://www.dinodia.com/photos/images/DSP-90206.jpg

http://www.dinodia.com/photos/images/A063-02.jpg

http://www.dinodia.com/photos/images/A065-02.jpg

http://www.dinodia.com/photos/images/RSC-14876.jpg

http://www.dinodia.com/photos/images/A061-01.jpg

http://www.dinodia.com/photos/images/A062-09.jpg

http://www.dinodia.com/photos/images/RSC-10348.jpg

http://www.dinodia.com/photos/images/PFL-91140.jpg

http://www.dinodia.com/photos/images/A062-04.jpg

http://www.dinodia.com/photos/images/BOW-0089.jpg

http://www.dinodia.com/photos/images/MBT-10353.jpg

http://www.dinodia.com/photos/images/RSC-12679.jpg

http://www.dinodia.com/photos/images/PFL-91141.jpg

http://www.dinodia.com/photos/images/MBT-12675.jpg

http://www.dinodia.com/photos/images/A060-04.jpg

http://www.dinodia.com/photos/images/A063-07.jpg

http://www.dinodia.com/photos/images/PFL-91141.jpg

http://www.dinodia.com/photos/images/PFL-91138.jpg

http://www.dinodia.com/photos/images/DSP-90651.jpg

http://www.dinodia.com/photos/images/MBT-16541.jpg

http://www.dinodia.com/photos/images/P053-06.jpg

http://www.uni.edu/gai/India/Photos/Agra/23.jpg

http://www.uni.edu/gai/India/Photos/Agra/22.jpg

http://www.uni.edu/gai/India/Photos/Agra/9.jpg

http://www.uni.edu/gai/India/Photos/Agra/21.jpg

http://www.uni.edu/gai/India/Photos/Agra/37.jpg

http://www.globalgeografia.com/album/india/agra.jpg

http://www.dinodia.com/photos/images/P052-02.jpg

http://www.hotels-in-agra.com/images/taj-mahal-evening.jpg

(...) ehh, whatever 10/10

Not bad but looking a bit dated, could do with a reclad. Maybe paint the towers different colours and solar panels on the main dome.

6.5

Not bad but looking a bit dated, could do with a reclad. Maybe paint the towers different colours and solar panels on the main dome.

6.5

Um, you serious? :weirdo:

Agreed. He's insane.

Not bad but looking a bit dated, could do with a reclad. Maybe paint the towers different colours and solar panels on the main dome.

6.5

My friend this is Taj Mahal. one of the 7 wonders of the world. Maybe your suggestion will help it in improving its reputation as one of wonders coz i guess it will be the first building in the world to have PAINT on MARBLE. Hats off to u!!!

Solar panels on the dome indeed.. :lol::lol::lol:

The answer is too obvious. 100000000000000/10.

10/10 architecturely perfect
just look at the shape of dome and you can understand easily this bulding is perfect.
and minarets are very smart too

Not bad but looking a bit dated, could do with a reclad. Maybe paint the towers different colours and solar panels on the main dome.

6.5


i am seriously hoping that you are joking.
this building is 10/10

the best building ever built.

10/10 perfect!!

10/10
wow!

9.5/1
:)

the best building ever built.

I agree.

10, I love it!

Some more pics

http://img233.exs.cx/img233/4830/t19ej.jpg


http://img233.exs.cx/img233/6316/t21xj.jpg

http://www.2and2.net/Uploads/Images/The%20Taj.jpg
http://www.2and2.net/Uploads/Images/The%20lawn.jpg
http://www.2and2.net/Uploads/Images/Taj%20Relief%20Carving%20in%20Detail.jpg

http://www.2and2.net/Uploads/Images/beautiful%20carving.jpg
http://www.2and2.net/Uploads/Images/Remains%20of%20a%20flower%20offering.JPG
http://www.2and2.net/Uploads/Images/taj%20mirror%20view.jpg
http://www.2and2.net/Uploads/Images/A%20minaret.jpg
http://www.2and2.net/Uploads/Images/A%20Taj%20Tower.jpg
http://www.2and2.net/Uploads/Images/tajdsf.jpg
http://www.2and2.net/Uploads/Images/The%20Incredible%20Taj.jpg
http://www.2and2.net/Uploads/Images/gate%20to%20the%20Taj.jpg

Hey nice pics Luckystreak.

10/10

10/10 for sure...

Very beautiful.

This is probably a stupid question, but where exactly is this located in India? It seems to be in a rural location.

10/10

Very beautiful.

This is probably a stupid question, but where exactly is this located in India? It seems to be in a rural location.

10/10

It is located in the town of Agra. It is about 200 km from New Delhi.

Ceiling of Taj

http://www.cmp.caltech.edu/~mcc/India/Agra/Taj_mosque_ceiling.jpg

Simply beautiful 10/10. Why would someone vote for 3 and not even leave their opinion on it...fucking dumbass.

Simply beautiful 10/10. Why would someone vote for 3 and not even leave their opinion on it...fucking dumbass.

That guy is (in)famous to all Indians on this board. Leave him be.

Stunning, unbelievable landmark. Simply beautiful.

Ok no insults please. The 3 or less votes are irelevants anyway.

She REALLY mustve been a nice piece of ass.

Royal Brighton Pavillion is better ;)

http://www.kindernetz.de/infonetz/thema/europa/pics/grossbritannien/royal_pavillion340.jpg

She REALLY mustve been a nice piece of ass.:rofl:

9/10

10

100/100

http://img257.echo.cx/img257/5132/15454701mh.jpg



http://img205.echo.cx/img205/9548/15454991ku.jpg




http://img212.echo.cx/img212/8559/taj9sk.jpg

http://img186.echo.cx/img186/7758/302499059uiyiaufs2mv.jpg

that is a real beauty!!!!

arent need words 10/10

One more for 100th vote.....

10 with no doubt

TAJ MAHAL means "Crown Palace" stands on the bank of River Yamuna, defending the Great Red Fort of Agra, the center of the Mughal emperors until they moved their capital to Delhi in 1637. It was built by the fifth Mughal emperor, SHAH JAHAN in 1631 in memory of his second wife, MUMTAZ MAHAL, a Muslim Persian princess. She died while accompanying her husband in Burhanpur in a campaign to crush a rebellion after giving birth to their 14th child. The death so crushed the emperor that all his hair and beard were said to have grown snow white in a few months. Mere postcard picture of Taj Mahal does not adequately convey the legend, the poetry and the romance that should what RABINDRANATH TAGORE calls "a teardrop on the cheek of time".

When Mumtaz Mahal was still alive, she extracted four promises from the emperor: first, that he build the Taj; second, that he should marry again; third, that he be kind to their children; and fourth, that he visit the tomb on her death anniversary. He kept the first and second promises. Construction began in 1631 and was completed in 22 years. Twenty thousand people were deployed to work on it. The material was brought in from all over India and central Asia and it took a fleet of 1000 elephants to transport it to the site. It was designed by the Iranian architect USTAD ISA and it is best appreciated when the architecture and its adornments are linked to the passion that inspired it. It is a............... "symbol of eternal love".

The Taj rises on a high red sandstone base topped by a huge white marble terrace on which rests the famous dome flanked by four tapering minarets. Within the dome lies the jewel-inlaid cenotaph of the queen. So exquisite is the workmanship that the Taj has been described as "having been designed by giants and finished by jewellers". The only asymmetrical object in the Taj is the casket of the emperor which was built beside the queen’s as an afterthought. The emperor was deposed by his son, Aurangzeb and imprisoned in the Great Red Fort for eight years but was buried in the Taj. During his imprisonment, he had a view of the Taj.

As a tribute to a beautiful woman and as a monument for enduring love, the Taj reveals its subtleties when one visits it without being in a hurry. The rectangular base of Taj is in itself symbolic of the different sides from which to view a beautiful woman. The main gate is like a veil to a woman’s face which should be lifted delicately, gently and without haste on the wedding night. In indian tradition the veil is lifted gently to reveal the beauty of the bride. As one stands inside the main gate of Taj, his eyes are directed to an arch which frames the Taj.

The dome is made of white marble, but the tomb is set against the plain across the river and it is this background that works its magic of colours that, through their reflection, change the view of the Taj. The colors change at different hours of the day and during different seasons. Like a jewel, the Taj sparkles in moonlight when the semi-precious stones inlaid into the white marble on the main mausoleum catch the glow of the moon. The Taj is pinkish in the morning, milky white in the evening and golden when the moon shines. These changes, they say, depict the different moods of woman.

Different people have different views of the Taj but it would be enough to say that the Taj has a life of its own that leaps out of marble, provided you understand that it is a monument of love. As an architectural masterpiece, nothing could be added or substracted from it............Enjoy It!!!



**************First Gate of Entrace to Taj Mahal**************

http://www.maniza.com/Asia/images/india/taj_mahal/taj_mahal-130.jpg

http://www.maniza.com/Asia/images/india/taj_mahal/taj_mahal-131.jpg



*************** External Walls of Taj Mahal*****************

http://www.maniza.com/Asia/images/india/taj_mahal/taj_mahal-132.jpg

http://www.maniza.com/Asia/images/india/taj_mahal/taj_mahal-136.jpg

http://www.maniza.com/Asia/images/india/taj_mahal/taj_mahal-139.jpg

http://www.maniza.com/Asia/images/india/taj_mahal/taj_mahal-140.jpg

http://www.maniza.com/Asia/images/india/taj_mahal/taj_mahal-141.jpg


**************2nd Gate of Taj Mahal*********************

http://www.maniza.com/Asia/images/india/taj_mahal/taj_mahal-144.jpg



**************Main Entrace (3rd Gate) of Taj Mahal**********

http://www.maniza.com/Asia/images/india/taj_mahal/taj_mahal-153.jpg

http://www.maniza.com/Asia/images/india/taj_mahal/taj_mahal-152.jpg

http://www.maniza.com/Asia/images/india/taj_mahal/taj_mahal-154.jpg

http://www.maniza.com/Asia/images/india/taj_mahal/taj_mahal-142.jpg



Mughal Courtyards of Taj Mahal inside the Main Entrance (3rd Gate)

http://www.maniza.com/Asia/images/india/taj_mahal/taj_mahal-298.jpg

http://www.maniza.com/Asia/images/india/taj_mahal/taj_mahal-300.jpg

http://www.maniza.com/Asia/images/india/taj_mahal/taj_mahal-313.jpg

http://www.maniza.com/Asia/images/india/taj_mahal/taj_mahal-310.jpg

http://www.maniza.com/Asia/images/india/taj_mahal/taj_mahal-307.jpg

http://www.maniza.com/Asia/images/india/taj_mahal/taj_mahal-301.jpg

http://www.maniza.com/Asia/images/india/taj_mahal/taj_mahal-311.jpg

http://www.maniza.com/Asia/images/india/taj_mahal/taj_mahal-289.jpg

http://www.maniza.com/Asia/images/india/taj_mahal/taj_mahal-301.jpg

http://www.maniza.com/Asia/images/india/taj_mahal/taj_mahal-304.jpg



*********THE TAJ MAHAL & ITS INTRICATE ARCHITECTURE*********

http://www.maniza.com/Asia/images/india/taj_mahal/taj_mahal-247.jpg

Stairways & Tunnel Leading to the Taj Mahal

http://www.maniza.com/Asia/images/india/taj_mahal/taj_mahal-222.jpg



********************The Taj Mahal***********************

http://www.maniza.com/Asia/images/india/taj_mahal/taj_mahal-215.jpg

http://www.maniza.com/Asia/images/india/taj_mahal/taj_mahal-177.jpg

http://www.maniza.com/Asia/images/india/taj_mahal/taj_mahal-253.jpg

http://www.maniza.com/Asia/images/india/taj_mahal/taj_mahal-254.jpg

http://www.maniza.com/Asia/images/india/taj_mahal/taj_mahal-198.jpg

http://www.maniza.com/Asia/images/india/taj_mahal/taj_mahal-302.jpg

http://www.maniza.com/Asia/images/india/taj_mahal/taj_mahal-226.jpg

http://www.maniza.com/Asia/images/india/taj_mahal/taj_mahal-241.jpg

http://www.maniza.com/Asia/images/india/taj_mahal/taj_mahal-243.jpg

http://www.maniza.com/Asia/images/india/taj_mahal/taj_mahal-249.jpg

http://www.maniza.com/Asia/images/india/taj_mahal/taj_mahal-296.jpg

http://www.maniza.com/Asia/images/india/taj_mahal/taj_mahal-297.jpg

http://www.maniza.com/Asia/images/india/taj_mahal/taj_mahal-272.jpg

http://www.maniza.com/Asia/images/india/taj_mahal/taj_mahal-276.jpg

http://www.maniza.com/Asia/images/india/taj_mahal/taj_mahal-284.jpg

http://www.maniza.com/Asia/images/india/taj_mahal/taj_mahal-280.jpg

http://www.maniza.com/Asia/images/india/taj_mahal/taj_mahal-294.jpg

http://www.maniza.com/Asia/images/india/taj_mahal/taj_mahal-295.jpg

http://www.maniza.com/Asia/images/india/taj_mahal/taj_mahal-271.jpg

http://www.maniza.com/Asia/images/india/taj_mahal/taj_mahal-282.jpg

http://www.maniza.com/Asia/images/india/taj_mahal/taj_mahal-293.jpg

http://www.maniza.com/Asia/images/india/taj_mahal/taj_mahal-274.jpg

http://www.maniza.com/Asia/images/india/taj_mahal/taj_mahal-291.jpg

http://www.maniza.com/Asia/images/india/taj_mahal/taj_mahal-283.jpg

http://www.maniza.com/Asia/images/india/taj_mahal/taj_mahal-271.jpg

http://www.maniza.com/Asia/images/india/taj_mahal/taj_mahal-268.jpg

http://www.maniza.com/Asia/images/india/taj_mahal/taj_mahal-250.jpg

http://www.maniza.com/Asia/images/india/taj_mahal/taj_mahal-264.jpg

http://www.maniza.com/Asia/images/india/taj_mahal/taj_mahal-266.jpg

http://www.maniza.com/Asia/images/india/taj_mahal/taj_mahal-263.jpg

http://www.maniza.com/Asia/images/india/taj_mahal/taj_mahal-262.jpg



**************Architectural landmarks around Taj Mahal*********

http://www.maniza.com/Asia/images/india/taj_mahal/taj_mahal-292.jpg

http://www.maniza.com/Asia/images/india/taj_mahal/taj_mahal-279.jpg

http://www.maniza.com/Asia/images/india/taj_mahal/taj_mahal-303.jpg

http://www.maniza.com/Asia/images/india/taj_mahal/taj_mahal-255.jpg

http://www.waxvisual.com/photos/tajmahal3.jpg

10!

Absoultely beautiful. Matchless. 10.

Spectacular! 10/10

India's historical architecture is amazingly beautiful and INTRICATE.. it surprises me even when I am from India :) Kudos to our ancestors!

very rare picture of TAJ MAHAL

http://img310.imageshack.us/img310/5514/10934751782rn2if.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

very rare picture of TAJ MAHAL

What a beauty!

woww, you mind if I make a copy of that pic Annyan? :)

with pleasure, u can take the picture

Taj Mahal is a wonder in India of course as a huge copy of Persian mosques but a simple building in Iran because there are many Persian mosques similar to it in Iran.

Makki Mosque in Zahedan, Iran (16th century) and Taj Mahal in Agra, India (17th century):

http://www.allempires.com/forum/uploads/CyrusShahmiri/2005-07-19_095949_ZahAgra.jpg

Taj Mahal is of Islamic and Persian heritage.

Taj Mahal is of Islamic and Persian heritage.


No, Taj Mahal is of Islamic and Indian heritage.

10/10

No, Taj Mahal is of Islamic and Indian heritage.
The Mughals weren't Indians and the building was designed by a Persian. The only Indian heritage I could think of were the Indian labourers.

Cyrus, Lac,

The middle Eastern and Chinese forumers are right. You two really do go in every thread and try to incite an argument with ignorant comments.

Firstly, the assertion that the Mughals were not Indian is absurd. They were a Turkic tribe of Mongol origin, eventually Persianified, who migrated through central Asia and eventually India, where they fused with the indigenous cultures to become the Mughals. Adn they were very distinct and sperate from the Persian Safavids.

The Taj was designed by a variety of people, but the chief architect, Ustad Ahmed, was Indian, as were most of the subsidiary architects. Just because the majority of them were Muslims, does not make them any less so.

Like all Mughal reigious structures, they reflected Persian styles, but the real architectural marvel of the Taj comes from the eclectic fusion of Persian, N. Indian Muslim, and N. Indian Hindu styles. Briefly, from the top of my head, some parts and their inspired origin: geometry of the layout is Mughal; the overall shape of the building is Persian, but reflecting the architectural dimentions and dimentional setting of traditional Hindu and Mughal (Indian) structure; the geometric patterns of calligraphy was Persian, but the filligrees and non-geometrical/natural inlays and the carvings were Hindu; the calligraphy itself, though the chief calligrapher was Persian, was done in the Mughal style; the gem and precious stone inlay, carvings, and design arraingement were Hindu; the design of the minarets were distinctly Mughal; the domes in the main building and minarets are a fusion of the Ottoman and the Hindu Padman, i.e., lotus domes that the Mughals had mastered.

There are entire books written on the architecture of the Taj. Please visit your local library and read about the many, many more such instances of its arhictural ecclecticism, if so inclined (which I doubt you two are.)


Regarding the Makki Mosque, *sigh*, the style reflects the Sunnite architectural tradition, and that mosque in particular was designed in the Indian style. Not the other way around :|

Now please keep your jingoisms and dishonest historical rewrites out of this thread.

:pepper: :clown: :uh: 10/10
marvellous
i hope i can visit Taj soon....its funny....im an indian and ive not been there....

im an indian and ive not been there....


Me too :bash: :bash: :bash: . I wanna go there soon.

Fantastic 10 of course!

Of course 10/10
Majestic and beautiful :master:

Taj (Taj=Crown, a very Persian word) is a Persian monument in India just as this is an Indian monument in Iran:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/2e/Bandarabbas-hindu.jpg

Taj (Taj=Crown, a very Persian word) is a Persian monument in India just as this is an Indian monument in Iran:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/2e/Bandarabbas-hindu.jpg
Whats the name of it?

we call it just "Hindu Temple".

That's a cool building.. its has both Zoroastrian and Hindu motifs

10/10 without a doubt its also one of the seven wonders of the world as well.

It deserves nothing less than 10 ... Where's the 12, btw? :D

10/10

10/10
No words to describe what i feel when i see this building

this one is a simple 10/10.

So amazing....
9/10

WOW Ilove this masterly, exellent, fantastic and unparalleled building

10/10

Its beautiful!

http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/2478/picture0190zw.jpg



http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/3250/picture0282wz.jpg



http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/2899/dscn10238da.jpg



http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/8598/dscn100312zk.jpg

woww 10/10

A perfect composition of beauty in stone. 10/10.

10/10

I personally find India's older archutecture more beautifull, but tis still deserves a 10.

truly a marvel, 10/10..the crown jewel in islamic architecture :rock:

Chennai_Forever, cold, hassandada, Siopao, snake, UnitedPakistan, v:zero

These seven people have actully rated this building below three, we all know why one of the pakistani moderators voted it less then 3 because of racial hatered. Duno about the others. But they must be really sad, i feel pitty.

this is one of those speechless places. Nothing less than a 10.

Chennai_Forever, cold, hassandada, Siopao, snake, UnitedPakistan, v:zero

These seven people have actully rated this building below three, we all know why one of the pakistani moderators voted it less then 3 because of racial hatered. Duno about the others. But they must be really sad, i feel pitty.

cut your crap out! these people can vote however they want, hence the word 'opinion' so you think united pakistan is a racist, what about that chennai_forever...he must also be indian...why did he vote below 3? :bash:

10/10!

I love Persian architecture!

How do you define Persian archutecture? Afterall, it was built and designed by Indians in a semi-Perisian style combined with many classical Indian elements, such as the geometry and archways... :-)

Uh, Paras, there was a bid discussion just a couple pages ago. I'll just quote what I said then
The Taj was designed by a variety of people, but the chief architect, Ustad Ahmed, was Indian, as were most of the subsidiary architects. Just because the majority of them were Muslims, does not make them any less so.

Like all Mughal reigious structures, they reflected Persian styles, but the real architectural marvel of the Taj comes from the eclectic fusion of Persian, N. Indian Muslim, and N. Indian Hindu styles. Briefly, from the top of my head, some parts and their inspired origin: geometry of the layout is Mughal; the overall shape of the building is Persian, but reflecting the architectural dimentions and dimentional setting of traditional Hindu and Mughal (Indian) structure; the geometric patterns of calligraphy was Persian, but the filligrees and non-geometrical/natural inlays and the carvings were Hindu; the calligraphy itself, though the chief calligrapher was Persian, was done in the Mughal style; the gem and precious stone inlay, carvings, and design arraingement were Hindu; the design of the minarets were distinctly Mughal; the domes in the main building and minarets are a fusion of the Ottoman and the Hindu Padman, i.e., lotus domes that the Mughals had mastered.

There are entire books written on the architecture of the Taj. Please visit your local library and read about the many, many more such instances of its arhictural ecclecticism, if so inclined (which I doubt you two are.)

On a lighter note ;)
http://img235.echo.cx/img235/4619/image57no.gif

I dont get it how can people give Taj Mahal less than 10. Taj Mahal deserves nothing less than 10. IMO giving Taj Mahal 9.5 is even underrating it. I love islamic architecture.
I wanna visit Taj Mahal, is it safe for a Pakistani to visit India?

EDIT: Instead of reading what is written and NOT what they think is written, people take a normal question out of context and get offended over trivial things. Then they resort to sprouting their typical BS. Just look at the drama queens below! Talk about making a mountain out of a mole hill!!

I wanna visit Taj Mahal, is it safe for a Pakistani to visit India?

Hehehe...look who's talking! People with bad karma have everything to worry about. Meanwhile, when you visit India, do collect all those Laskhar-e-Taiba jihadi scums, who have sneaked into India after, we opened our borders with open hearts. So, this is the thanks that one gets for giving you guys USD 25 million in aid money? That is apart from, all other sorts of material and logistical aid that we have supplied to you. :mad:

Come on guys, lets not get into politics in the Tajma thread :(

Come on guys, lets not get into politics in the Tajma thread :(

Jai, look at his insinuations...we have yet to mourn the dead of the Delhi blast, and this bugger is pouring salt on our wounds. I can't let it go that easy!

Jagdorks can be Jagdorks, but too much bickering draws an unjust sense of moral equivilance between the two sides by people ignorant of the matter just peruzing the thread, who equate verbiage with fact. Such is the internet :(

I totally empathize with you, but there is a time and a place for things like this. We've made our point, and I hope the other guy is shamed in to 'not going there'

Because, for as long as our little forum moratorium in Indo-Pak political debate holds, it should be emphasized that our restraint in this little forumal truce is a unilateral one, easily rescindable, and done solely as a gesture for the 'other guy's' benefit, if you get my drift.

So OM Shanti OM for now, and hope saner heads 'over there' prevail.

Oh...Jai! Please do realize that your felicity of expression with apinch of delectabe wry humor, will confound, contort and torture the greymatter of earthly one's with a greenish hue. :hug:

lol

Well, it's me who'll say it:

No politic on the Taj thread please.

Aite anyways back to the topic. Perfect 10/10. Been there once and it was trully magical. Definitely one of the topic examples of islamic architecture.

Those of you causing trouble will be punished...

Guyj, pilees use simpel inglees far pepul like me :D :lol:. Its bhery bhery tarchaaring ip u use camplicated inglees.

cut your crap out! these people can vote however they want, hence the word 'opinion' so you think united pakistan is a racist :bash:

FYI...there is a jealous joker with the ID "Farhan"......who gives a vote of "3 or less" to all Indian Buildings which are not islamic.........what do u call that..an opinion :bash:

i guess not many people know this, the guys that built it were hindu :). The king was islamic tho. hehe.

Awesome. 10/10

9.5/10

10

A big 10 :)

10. Of course.

10/10 One of the world's most renowned.

Just perfect. 10/10

http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/9099/15046321o2lb.jpg




http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/6489/15048480o7xt.jpg




http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/3728/15048365l2gk.jpg

The Taj Mahal is one of the greatest architectural and engineering feats in history; anything less than a 10 is hogwash.

http://img60.imageshack.us/img60/5527/011tajhorizontal7wd.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

10/10 anytime/anyday

Anything less than a 10 would be an insult... 10/10

if i could give 11/10 :D

Guys a question, didnt shah who let construct this building called for Ottoman architects? i heard somewhere that mimar sinan's students came and contructed the dome of it, can this be true?

10/10

10/10

10/10 I voted 10 but i think it's just a tad overrated

10

10/10
Masterpiece!!
:yes:

10

10

if i could give 11/10 :D

Guys a question, didnt shah who let construct this building called for Ottoman architects? i heard somewhere that mimar sinan's students came and contructed the dome of it, can this be true?

yeah i think the main architect was from turkey and the white stones were brought in from iran to build the taj mahal. you see very few people today know that the mughal empire was very closely related to the Turks, all the mughals came from central asia, the Delhi sultanate was turkish.

A big 10/10 :omg:

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/4966/31181231c47ee8b776biu3.jpg

I think most of the pics posted here don't make justice to its beauty.....need to get some more awesome pics over here.....like the above one....

Originally posted here......http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=141207&page=9&pp=20


:cheers:

10/10

10/10

10!

10

Taj (Taj=Crown, a very Persian word) is a Persian monument in India just as this is an Indian monument in Iran:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/2e/Bandarabbas-hindu.jpg



Did you not read Jai's long explanation on the heritage of the Taj? ...ignorant and defiant *hooray*:banana:

10/10

10/10

This is a pure magical greatness :master: :master: :master: 20/10 :bow: :bow: :bow:

10/10, its built by shahajan

Taj (Taj=Crown, a very Persian word) is a Persian monument in India just as this is an Indian monument in Iran:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/2e/Bandarabbas-hindu.jpg

Cyrus:

Pure BS. Taj Mahal is an example of Mughal architecture, also known as INDO-ISLAMIC architecture. Persians never had ONION domes that bulge out in the middle. the 4 canopy like umbrella structures are called "Chatri", mughals borrowed it from Rajput architecture. They started putting 'chatris' on minarets too like on 4 minarets of Taj.

BTW, Just like Iran has hindu temple, here is an Iranian mosque in India. A fine example of Persian architecture that DOES NOT looke like Taj at all.

http://img33.picoodle.com/img/img33/4/6/15/f_iranianm_88c0368.jpg

Perfect!

10/10

yeah i think the main architect was from turkey and the white stones were brought in from iran to build the taj mahal. you see very few people today know that the mughal empire was very closely related to the Turks, all the mughals came from central asia, the Delhi sultanate was turkish.

No, the architect was Ustad Ahmed Lahauri, an Indian Muslim. The Delhi Sultanate was originally Turkic / Afghan, but became naturalised as a Muslim Indian empire. The same happened with the Mughals.
and no, the Mughals weren't exactly close to the Ottomans, but they did have Turkic blood in them, just like Tajiks, Uzbeks and other central Asians. They were descendants of Tamerlane and the Timurids who were themselves descendants of the Mongols. Mughal was what the Mongols were called in North India anyway

This can't be under 10, can this?

8/10

10/10 just S T U N N I N G !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

one of the few immortal architectures in the world... 10/10

10/10

OMG! The empire that we used to be.... 10/10

OMG! The empire that we used to be.... 10/10

We?

No, the architect was Ustad Ahmed Lahauri, an Indian Muslim. The Delhi Sultanate was originally Turkic / Afghan, but became naturalised as a Muslim Indian empire. The same happened with the Mughals.
and no, the Mughals weren't exactly close to the Ottomans, but they did have Turkic blood in them, just like Tajiks, Uzbeks and other central Asians. They were descendants of Tamerlane and the Timurids who were themselves descendants of the Mongols. Mughal was what the Mongols were called in North India anyway

Indians are hardly a homogenous people. There have been several waves of immigration throughout our history.
A large number of Indian muslims can trace their ancestry back to Afghanistan, Iran, Central Asia, etc. However, that doesn't make them any less Indian.

10/10

If you visit the Taj Mahal there's really no way you could give it less than 10/10 it is just spectacular

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u155/acl1980/DSCF0475.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u155/acl1980/DSCF0477.jpg
(aclifford)

We?

Bangladesh was a part of the former Mughal Empire. Shah Jahan was the emperor of all South Asia. By we meant the people of the subcontinent. :)

10

9.5/10

Still looks breathtaking. I wouldn't mind boating around Taj once half submerged in the water. :cheers:

http://img03.picoodle.com/img/img03/3/12/18/f_taj1m_35e8667.jpg

http://img03.picoodle.com/img/img03/3/12/18/f_tajm_21c0a34.jpg

10/10 Icon.

10/10:applause:

This is what it looked like before the gardens were re-done:

http://tbn0.google.com/hosted/images/c?q=5a2ea5d8fa429298_large

10/10

10/10

10. Excellent. Regards.

10








:horse:

10/10

7/10

"A tear drop on the cheek of time" Immortal words to describe something words can never describe.

Words and photos will never do the Taj any justice.

999999999/10

10/10 masterpiece

10/10

10/10

9.5/10

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2625/3830961532_3719cbd134_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3429/3834063051_09fc0aa34a_b.jpg



Panoramas

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2448/3829817669_b9b316bddb_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2577/3829125183_cba59b21f8_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2474/3829771832_d3f3ce2006_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2633/3819307505_53a1f201a6_b.jpg

10/10

10/10