Entrance Gate – Taj
The Taj Mahal is one of the seven wonders of the world, situated on the banks of river Yamuna. One of the famous travel destinations in Uttarpradesh, India.
The Taj Mahal was built as a memorial to Begum Mumtaz Mahal, the consort of Mughal emperor Shah Jehan. It is renowned for its architectural magnificence and aesthetic beauty.
The entrance to Taj itself is a monumental structure made of red sand stone. This gateway is an octagonal entrance hall, surrounded by small rooms on both sides. These small rooms have beautifully decorated gates on two sides, one opening to the court yard and the other towards the mausoleum itself.
The gate is a masterpiece of fine ornamentation. The white marbles and precious stones impressed into the red sandstone surface add to its beauty. On the front wall of the entrance one can see the inscriptions in ‘Thulth’ script. The script is inlayed with black marble on white marble surface.
Towards the left side of the entrance hall there is the Taj Museum, where so many paintings of Shah Jehan, Mumtaz Mahal and the Taj Mahal have been displayed. One can also see preserved some original documents and Farmans. Among these exhibits there is an interesting manuscript of the ‘Chihl-Majlis’, containing the signature of Shah Jehan.