TAJ MAHAL, INDIA

BY: MARTINEZ, DANICA

ANNE T.
BSTM 3A

Taj
Mahal is
a
Cultural
Site.

DESCRIPTIO
N:
Is an immense mausoleum of white marble.
Was built in Agra between 1631 to 1648 by
the order of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan
in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal.
Known for the Jewel of Muslim Art in India
and one of the universally admired art pieces
of the world heritage.
Ustad Ahmad Lahori

INTERIOR DESIGN:

EXTERIOR DESIGN:

EMPEROR SHAH JAHAN AND

MUMTAZ MAHAL TOMB.

OUTSTANDING UNIVERSAL VALUE:

Greatest architecture achievement in the
whole range of Indo-Islamic architecture.
The color combination of lush green scape
reddish pathway and blue sky over it
showcases the monument in over changing
tints and moods.
Its recognized architectonic beauty has a
rhythmic combination of solids and voids,
concave and convex and light shadow.

PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT

REQUIREMENTS:
The management of Taj Mahal complex is carried out
by the Archaeological Survey of India and the legal
protection of the monument and the control over the
regulated area around the monument is through the
various legislative and regulatory frameworks that
have been established, including the Ancient
Monument and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act
1958 and Rules 1959 Ancient Monuments and
Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment and
Validation); which is adequate to the overall
administration of the property and buffer areas.
Additional supplementary laws ensure the protection
of the property in terms of development in the
surroundings.

AN AREA OF 10,400 SQ KM AROUND THE

TAJ MAHAL IS DEFINED TO PROTECT
THE MONUMENT FROM POLLUTION. THE
SUPREME COURT OF INDIA IN
DECEMBER, 1996, DELIVERED A RULING
BANNING USE OF COAL/COKE IN
INDUSTRIES LOCATED IN THE TAJ
TRAPEZIUM ZONE (TTZ) AND
SWITCHING OVER TO NATURAL GAS OR
RELOCATING THEM OUTSIDE THE TTZ.
THE TTZ COMPRISES OF 40 PROTECTED
MONUMENTS INCLUDING THREE WORLD
HERITAGE SITES - TAJ MAHAL, AGRA
FORT AND FATEHPUR SIKRI.

TOURISM:
The Taj Mahal attracts a large number of tourists.
UNESCO documented more than 2 million visitors in
2001, which increased to about 3 million in 2015.A
two tier pricing system is in place, with a significantly
lower entrance fee for Indian citizens and a more
expensive one for foreigners. Most tourists visit in
the cooler months of October, November and
February. Polluting traffic is not allowed near the
complex and tourists must either walk from parking
lots or catch an electric bus. The Khawasspuras
(northern courtyards) are currently being restored
for use as a new visitor center.

THE SMALL TOWN TO THE SOUTH OF THE TAJ, KNOWN AS

TAJ GANJI OR MUMTAZABAD, WAS ORIGINALLY
CONSTRUCTED WITHCARAVANSERAIS,BAZAARSAND
MARKETS TO SERVE THE NEEDS OF VISITORS AND
WORKMEN.LISTS OF RECOMMENDED TRAVEL
DESTINATIONS OFTEN FEATURE THE TAJ MAHAL, WHICH
ALSO APPEARS IN SEVERAL LISTINGS OFSEVEN WONDERS
OF THE MODERN WORLD, INCLUDING THE RECENTLY
ANNOUNCEDNEW SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD, A
RECENT POLL WITH 100 MILLION VOTES.
THE GROUNDS ARE OPEN FROM 06:00 TO 19:00 WEEKDAYS,
EXCEPT FOR FRIDAY WHEN THE COMPLEX IS OPEN FOR
PRAYERS AT THE MOSQUE BETWEEN 12:00 AND 14:00. THE
COMPLEX IS OPEN FOR NIGHT VIEWING ON THE DAY OF THE
FULL MOON AND TWO DAYS BEFORE AND AFTER,EXCLUDING
FRIDAYS AND THE MONTH OFRAMADAN. FOR SECURITY
REASONSONLY FIVE ITEMSWATER IN TRANSPARENT
BOTTLES, SMALL VIDEO CAMERAS, STILL CAMERAS, MOBILE
PHONES AND SMALL LADIES' PURSESARE ALLOWED
INSIDE THE TAJ MAHAL.

Thank you