Indian Love story 3.87

Although such a devotion to a wife reaching to build a monument seemed like a weakness for an emperor, Shah Jahan was clearly determined.
He chose a peaceful site by the River of Jumna about one and a half miles away from Agra on the southern edge of the city, where could be seen from the Agra Fortress. The closeness to the river also met the water need for the
construction and garden.

Shah Jahan decided to move Mumtaz to Agra in December 1631 and was buried in a domed building temporarily on the construction site of the unique mausoleum in January 8, 1632.

Mir Abul Karim and Mukamat Khan was positioned as supervisors of the construction ,
however the architect was never mentioned by the Mogul Empire’s historians that left questions and disputes about the architect. Even though some insists that the building was the work of a European, the Venetian
Geronimo Vereneo, there is no trace of European architectural style. Also Vereneo’s tombstone in Agra, where the Christians were buried, it was stated that he died in Lahore but nothing more about the construction of
Taj Mahal.
The most reliable architect might be Ustad Ahmad Lahori, who was the architect of the Red Fort of Agra and most probably took part in the construction of Taj Mahal, which was indeed emphasised in a poem of his son
Lutfullah Muhandis.

The body of Mumtaz laid for the third and the finally at the center of the mausoleum on north-south with her face turned westward to Holy Mecca in May 26, 1633. The three-domed mosque was situated on the west with its alcove namely mihrab pointing the direction of Mecca for the prayers. The mosque on the east side might not used as a mosque in purpose but a pilgrimage guesthouse as the back wall was not marking Mecca. It might most probably build for the
symmetry or echoing.

The place was important for the pilgrims as Mumtaz died in childbirth who was considered as martyr following Islamic traditions.
The building is influenced mostly from central Asian and Persian architecture combined with Muslim architecture.
The construction was finished in twenty-two years with the power of twenty-thousand workers.
Also the intricate stone carving usage, the domed kiosk namely chattri, are the traces of Hindu architecture.