Masterpiece of Islamic architecture

TAJ MAHAL -THE SYMBOL OF LOVE AND ARCHITECTURAL PERFECTION

There are a few buildings in the world, which through history did awake such attention and tickled human imagination as Taj Mahal in India. The fascination with this object doesn’t cease even today, regardless of the fact that it belongs to Islamic architectural heritage.

Many agree that it is most beautiful building in the whole world. The story about love of Shah Jahan, the sponsor of Taj Mahal and his wife Mumtaz Mahal for whom he built the mausoleum, contributed a great deal to the glory of this monument.

In comparison to other Islamic periods and dynasties, Moguls had most developed architecture of mausoleums of the rulers. Those are very large buildings, sometimes the entire complexes, what brings a lot of contradiction, considering the deflection of the orthodox Islam towards the construction of the tombstone.

The architecture of the Moguls’ tombstones doesn’t differ very much from the architecture of mosques, considering that they include similar constructive-aesthetic elements (domes and minarets) and spacial plans. The founder of the Mogul’s dynasty was Shah Babur in 1526, who selected Delhi as his capital. This dynasty will rule until the first half of the 19th century. In that period, some of the largest master pieces of Islamic architecture were built, while other branches of arts like calligraphy, goldsmith’s trade, miniature and others were equally developed. The elite behaviour of the members of this dynasty required forming of very luxurious arts of the Ottomans, ie. of Safavids. Of course, in regard to architecture, Moguls own a lot to Persian influence in making of domes and entrances which are the protective mark of both architectures.

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