Hyderabad: Mohammed Abdul Qaiyum, former Deputy Director of the Department of Archaeology and Museums, Andhra Pradesh, revealed that gems and diamonds from Hyderabad were used in the beautification of the Taj Mahal, which was made with Lahori bricks and covered with Makrana marble.
Mohammed Qutub Shah had sent a large quantity of diamonds for use in the Taj Mahal.
Mr Qaiyum was presenting an audiovisual presentation ‘Revisit the Glory of Taj’ on the structural details and history of the Taj Mahal organised by Media Plus Foundation.
He said the Moghul Emperor Shah Jahan was born in the year when the construction of the Charminar was completed (1591). He and his wife Mumtaz Mahal to whom the Taj Mahal is dedicated, passed by Hyderabad on their way to Machlipatnam. They used the outer ring road.
The main structure of the Taj Mahal is 925 feet away from the main gate, which is the best point from which to view the beautiful monument. Likewise, the distance between the Charminar and Machli Kaman is exactly 925 feet and from there you can see the Charminar perfectly. The conception of the corners of the Taj Mahal was taken from the Charminar monuments.
Mr Qaiyum said Makrana marble used in the Taj Mahal has the quality of absorbing light and colour.
The actual colour of the marble is light sky blue, but it looks different in the morning, at noon, in the evening and in the moonlight.
The Taj Mahal was completed in 22 years and 20,000 artisans, inclu-ding 37 master artists, worked on it. It spreads over 42 acres.
Shah Jahan directed the artisans to construct a lawn for the mausoleum of his beloved wife Arjumand Banu (Mumtaz Mahal). Many models were presented before him and he liked the model presented by Turkish master architect Eisa.
Arjumand Banu was first buried in Zainababad and shifted to the Taj Mahal after six months. On her death bed she had asked Shah Jahan to promise her two things - that he will not marry another woman after she dies and that he will build an extensive mausoleum in her memory. Which the King more than fulfilled.
