Construction of the Taj Mahal in Agra India began around 1631 and was finished over 20 years later in 1654. The Taj Mahal was built as a tomb for Shah Jahan’ favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. After his death, Shah Jahan was also buried in the Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal is located off the river of Jumna, and is one of the most popular tourist sites of the world, the most visited place in India.
The Taj Mahal is a part of a series of Mughal memorial tombs, and is known as the grandest of the series. The Taj Mahal is a part of a complex that include elements represented of the Mughal architecture of the time, including the traditional formal garden. The Taj Mahal is unique in the way of having the pool incorporated into the garden. The building incorporates the best of traditional building techniques from India, Iran and Central Asia.
The exterior of the Taj Mahal is covered in Qur’an scripture with over 20 passage and a total of 14 complete Surahs. Those Surah’s include:
The Sun (Al- Shams)
“By the sun and his brightness!
And the moon when she barrows light form him!
And the day when it exposes it to view!
And the night when it draws a veil over it!
And the heaven and its make!
And the earth and it’s extension!
So he reveals to it its way of evil and its ways of good
He is indeed successful who causes it to grow
And he indeed fails who buries it.
Thamud rejected in their inordinacy
When the basest of them broke forth with mischief
So Allah’s messenger said to them: (Leave alone) Allah’s she-camel and (give) her (to) drink.
But they called him a liar and slaughtered her. So their lord destroyed them for their sin and leveled them (with the ground);
And He fears not its consequence.” (91:1-15)
The Morning Brightness (Al-Duha)
“By the Brightness of the Day!
And the Night when it is still!-
Thy Lord has not forsaken thee nor is He displeased
And surely the latter state is better for thee than the former
And soon will thy lord give thee so that thou wilt be well pleased
Did He not find thee an orphan and give (thee) shelter?
And find thee groping, so He showed the way?
And find thee in want, so He enriched thee?
Therefore the orphan, oppress not.
And him who asks, chide not.
And the favor of thy lord, proclaim.” (93:1-11)
Daybreak (Al-Fajr) [inscription above the front gate]
“O soul thou that art at rest,
Return to thy Lord, well-pleased, well pleasing,
So enter among My servants,
and enter My Garden”
(89:27-30).
Other Resources:
THE REVELATION IN ARCHITECTURE 