Comparison and Contrast of the Taj Mahal and the Stupa at Sanchi

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Essay Introduction: In the following essay, I will be comparing and contrasting to architectural pieces by the Indians. The first is the Taj Mahal, a building constructed from white marble that took seventeen years to build in honor of Shah Jahan’s wife, Mumtaz Mahal (Z. Haq). This piece of architectural beauty belonged to the Mughal’s, the Muslim emperors in India (Z. Haq). The second is the Great Stupa at Sanchi, a holy, dome shaped structure that covers the body of the Buddha in honor of him and his contributions to Buddhism (Fischer, Julia). Furthermore, this structure was made of ruins, rocks, mud, and covered in bricks (Fischer, Julia). Both pieces of architecture are significant to the Indians, however they do contrast in some ways. Description: The Taj Mahal, which translates to “Crown Palace” is a very significant monument and regarded as one of the best in the world. It is actually a mausoleum where both the bodies of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal are found. It was built from 1631 till 1648 AD in Agra, India (History of Taj Mahal). Architects from all around the world were ordered to come to India and build this Taj Mahal by the order of the Mughal, Shah Jahan (History of Taj Mahal). He built this to honor his wife after her death while she was giving birth to their child (History of Taj Mahal). Her last words for Shah Jahan was to build a tomb in her memory that the world has never seen before, and so he did what she asked for (History of Taj Mahal). Later on, the grave of Shah Jahan was added to the Taj Mahal. The other artwork I will be comparing to the Taj Mahal is the Great Stupa at Sanchi. The stupa is a dome shaped building that covers the body of the Buddha, who was regarded very greatly by many Buddhists. In t... ... middle of paper ... ...2014. . “Indian Yellow." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 27 Feb. 2014. Web. 28 Feb. 2014. . “Lapis lazuli." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 27 Feb. 2014. Web. 28 Feb. 2014. . “Minium (Mineral).” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 27 Feb. 2014. Web. 28 Feb. 2014. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minium_(mineral)>. Pillai, Maya. "Architecture of the Taj Mahal." IBuzzle. Web. 28 Feb. 2014. . Pradesh, Madhya. "World Heritage Sites- Sanchi." Archeological Survey of India. Web. 28 Feb. 2014. . "Sanchi." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 27 Feb. 2014. Web. 28 Feb. 2014. .

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