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| Sunday, 17 October 2004 |
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Junior Observer |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Lasting monument to love The Taj Mahal at Agra, India is known throughout the world as a monument to love. This beautiful edifice on the banks of the river Yamuna was built by the Mogul Emperor Shah Jehan to remember his queen Mumtaz Mahal, who died at childbirth. It is her burial grounds as well.
The splendid gardens, paved with tiles set into different patterns, comprise pools of water, fountains and shrubberies. The beautiful structure has enthralled millions of visitors over the years. The Mogul Empire commenced in India in June 1494 with Shahir Uddeen Mohamed ascending the throne. Shah Jehan was the fifth in this dynasty. He loved his beautiful wife Mumtaz to such an extent that he went into deep grief following her death in 1631. He wanted to build an everlasting monument to remember his wife, as a tribute to her and to portray the love he had for her. Therefore, experts in various aspects of construction were brought down to Agra from all parts of the world. They included masons from Persia, engravers from Arab, stone carvers from China, tile and marble decorators from Italy and gardeners from Afghanistan. Although the initial design of the Taj Mahal is said to have been done by a person named Ziras, the final plan was drawn up based on the original design by an Usthad Easha. Construction commenced in 1632 and took 22 years for completion. Over 20,000 workers are said to have continued building day and night. Emperor Shah Jehan had the intention of building a replica of the Taj Mahal from black marble on the opposite bank of the Yamuna as a monument to himself, and linking the structures with a silver bridge. However, he never accomplished this task as his son Auranzeb imprisoned him and became emperor himself in 1658. Shah Jehan spent his last years staring at the Taj Mahal from the small window in his prison on the opposite bank of the river. He died in 1666 and was buried beside his wife. A monument for the emperor was never built by his son.
Large collection of
artifacts The National Museum of Sri Lanka is housed in a colonial-era building in large sprawling gardens at Albert Crescent in Colombo 7.
It was opened on January 1, 1877 when Sri Lanka was under British rule. Sir Henry Gregory, the then Governor was instrumental in setting it up; he brought up the idea for a museum to house the valuable artifacts owned by the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society. A bronze statue of the Governor was erected in the museum gardens to honour his services. The building was designed following the Italian style by James G. Smither, an architect of the Public Works Department. Construction started in 1874 and finished in 1876. It is reported that over 90,000 people visited the museum during its first year. Now, over 200,000 people visit each year. The first Director of the museum was Dr Emerald Haly. He was assisted by two others. The first Sri Lankan Director was Dr P.E.P. Deraniyagala. The present director is Ms Yasantha Mapatuna, who was appointed in 1999. At commencement, the museum housed 808 artifacts and 384 models of local products. By 2001, the museum had acquired over 117,000 artifacts. The various extensions to the museum have included the minerals section in 1937, human science section in 1967, natural science section in 1975 and botanical science section in 1976. The Colombo Museum displays a large collection of ancient royal regalia including the throne, crown and sword of Sri Wickrema Rajasinghe, the last king of Sri Lanka, Sinhalese artwork (sculptures, carvings etc.), antique furniture, china (porcelainware) and ola (palm) leaf manuscripts. There are fascinating 19th century reproductions of English paintings of Sri Lanka, and a collection of antique demon masks. Behind the museum, you will be able to see the National History Museum, which houses an extensive collection of stuffed animals. |
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The Taj Mahal is built entirely of white marble and the different
sections include the main dome, the smaller domes on the sides,
arch-shaped windows, delicate carvings and decorations on marble, and the
towers on the four corners.
