Taj Mahal (palace)

2022-04-18T19:59:07Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2018}}
{{distinguish|Taj Mahal}}
{{for|the hotel in Mumbai|Taj Mahal Palace & Tower}}
{{Infobox building
| name = Taj Mahal Palace
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| image = Taj Mahal, Bhopal.JPG
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| cost = {{Indian Rupees}}30 [[lakhs]]
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| client = [[Sultan Shah Jahan, Begum of Bhopal]]
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| location_town = [[Bhopal]]
| location_country = [[India]]
| coordinates = {{coord|23|15|N|77|25|E|display=inline}}
| start_date = 1871
| completion_date = 1884
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'''Taj Mahal''' is a palace built by [[Sultan Shah Jahan, Begum of Bhopal]]. It is located beside the [[Taj-ul-Masajid]] in [[Bhopal]], India.

== History ==
The Taj Mahal at Bhopal was built as the Begum's residence, at a cost of {{INR}} 3,000,000. Its construction spanned over a period of 13 years, from 1871 to 1884.<ref name="eighth_wonder_2010">{{cite web
| url = http://www.deccanherald.com/content/119277/eighth-wonder-bhopal-too-has.html
| title = Eighth wonder? Bhopal too has a Taj Mahal!
| author = Shahnawaz Akhtar
| publisher = [[Deccan Herald]]
| date = 2010-12-12
| accessdate = 2010-12-12
}}</ref> It was one of the largest palaces of the world built at that time.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.newstrackindia.com/newsdetails/409
| title = The other Taj Mahal in Bhopal needs to be preserved
| accessdate = 2010-12-13
| date = 2007-07-09
| publisher = News Track India
}}</ref>

The building was originally named Raj Mahal ("royal palace"). The British [[Resident (title)|Resident]] at Bhopal, highly impressed with the architecture, suggested that the palace be renamed the Taj Mahal, the [[Taj Mahal]] at [[Agra]] having been built by the Begum's namesake [[Shah Jahan]]. The begum accepted the suggestion and the palace was renamed to Taj Mahal.<ref name="hope_floats_2008">{{cite web
| url = http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_hope-floats-for-bhopal-s-very-own-taj-mahal_1178894
| title = Hope floats for Bhopal's very own Taj Mahal
| accessdate = 2010-12-13
| date = 2008-07-21
| publisher = DNA
}}</ref> The Begum is said to have ordered a three-year-long celebration called ''Jashn-e-Taj Mahal'' after the completion of the building.<ref name="eighth_wonder_2010"/>

After the [[partition of India]] in 1947, Nawab [[Hamidullah Khan]] allowed [[Sindhi people|Sindhi]] refugees to stay in the palace. They stayed in Taj Mahal for around 4 years, before shifting to [[Bairagarh, Bhopal|Bairagarh]]. The palace suffered some damage during this period.<ref name="eighth_wonder_2010"/> After India's independence, some members of the royal family of [[Bhopal State|Bhopal]] stayed at the palace, but gradually moved away, as they had no money for the repairs. By 2008, large parts of the palace complex had collapsed.<ref name="hope_floats_2008"/>

The palace was declared a state heritage monument by the [[Government of Madhya Pradesh]] in 2005 and the state archaeology department carried out restoration in parts. However, it was denotified in 2011 and the government now plans to transfer the property to the tourism department for its development as a heritage hotel.<ref name="indianexpress">{{cite news|title=The Other Taj Mahal|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/the-other-taj-mahal/1012063|newspaper=The Indian Express|date=5 October 2012}}</ref>

== Architecture ==
The architecture of Taj Mahal has [[British architecture|British]], [[French architecture|French]], [[Mughal architecture|Mughal]], [[Arabic architecture|Arabic]] and [[Hindu architecture|Hindu]] influences.<ref name="eighth_wonder_2010"/> The palace contains 120 rooms, a hall of mirrors or ''sheesh mahal'' and the ''savon bhadon'' pavilion, an elaborate fountain like structure that simulated the effect of rain. The main entrance is a seven-storied structure. The palace was part of a complex of buildings along the three lakes that includes the [[Benazir Palace]], which was the begum's summer palace, and the Taj-ul-Masjid Mosque. The palace has been built in the [[Indo-Saracenic Revival architecture|Indo-Saracenic style]] and is kept cool by the winds blowing in from the lakes.<ref name="indianexpress" />

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Bhopal State Postage Service - 4 annas - Taj Mahal and Benazir Palaces.png | Taj Mahal and Benazir Palaces on a Bhopal State postal stamp
File:Taj Mahal Bhopal.jpg | Taj Mahal main entrance back side
File:Taj Mahal Bhopal (11).jpg | North facing entrance gate
</gallery>

== References ==
{{commons category|Taj Mahal, Bhopal}}
{{reflist|30em}}
{{City of Bhopal}}

[[Category:Palaces in Madhya Pradesh]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Bhopal]]
[[Category:Royal residences in India]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Bhopal]]

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Taj Mahal (palace)