Secrets of the Taj Mahal Worksheet PDF

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Secrets of the Taj Mahal Worksheet...

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NAME___Stephanie Sandler_______________________ Worksheet for: “Secrets of the Taj Mahal” https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=ilHiXy1yxcY&t=256s 1. What does the Taj Mahal mean to the Indian people? It represents what India is as well as symbolizes eternal power of love, freedom, and the pride of the nation. 2. Who created the Taj Mahal, and why was it created? Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan created the Taj Mahal to commemorate the memory of his third wife Mumtaz Mahal. 3. How did engineers protect the Taj Mahal from the river? They digged deep welds below the water table then filled them up with rocks and mortar. On the base, they erected small columns linked together by massive arches. The result was a solid mountain of stone to support the foundation slab of the building. 4. What kinds of optical tricks were used on visitors to the Taj, and why? The first view of the monument is framed by the main gate. As the visitor moves closer, the Taj Mahal seems to get smaller and gets bigger as you walk away. When you leave, it is said you take the Taj with you in your heart. 5. How did the construction of the minarets protect the Taj? The four minarets are slightly leaning outwards. This was done so that in the event of a natural disaster, like an earthquake, the minars won't fall onto the Dome. 6. How did Shah Jahan come to the throne, and what kind of ruler was he? Shah Jahan’s father was desperately ill and Shah wanted to secure his seat on the throne, so he or der edf orhi shal fbr ot her s( hi sr i v al s )t obeex ec ut ed.Whenhewascr ownedemper or ,he pr ov edhi ms el ft obeawi s eandmoder at er ul er .

7. What was Mumtaz’s role once her husband came to the throne? Mumtaz stays in the background but also was one of the Shah’s most important advisors. As the First Lady of the Empire, she led a luxurious life in the women’s apartments of the Red Fort. 8. How did the Moguls come to India, and what was their policy towards the Hindu religion? 100 years before Shah’s ruling, The Moguls came down from the north onto the Plains of India. Moguls proclaimed religious tolerance and seeked a balance between cultures. 9. What are some outstanding features of the Taj Mahal? It’s a reflection of this life and the next with a mirror image of each other. The tomb garden with the mausoleum and worldly side is the garden meant for bazaars and markets. The connecting square with the main gate transitions to the tomb garden and opens view to mausoleum. The center of the mausoleum is the final resting place for Mumtaz. 10. How was the relationship between Shah Jahan and Mumtaz exceptional for its day? Love was a western ideology as back in that time marriage was more about power and money and Shah and Mumtaz were actually in love with each other and very intimate. 11. What superweapon did Shah Jahan use against rebels in the Deccan?

Shah Jahan used canons imported (from the Turkish Empire) against rebels in the Deccan. 12. How did Shah Jahan react to Mumtaz’s death, and how was his memorial to her unique? He fasted for 8 days locked in his chambers and for 2 years he had heard no music, wore no jewelry or perfume. Before she died, she made a wish for a mausoleum more sublime than any in the world and he decided it will be his task for the rest of his life. 13. What was the negative impact of the construction of the Taj for the emperor and his people? It was draining the imperial treasury; the 20,000 people suffered terribly for the Emperor’s devotion, especially with famine. 14. What do the gardens of the Taj Mahal represent? The garden is the heart of the Taj Mahal. It’s an earthly picture of the paradise of the Quran. Two paths divide the terrain into 4 squares as the channels along the paths represent the rivers of paradise in the Quran. 15. What was Shah Jahan’s policy towards non-Muslims, and how did his empire interact with the Europeans? Islam was linked to policies of tolerance and openness; The empire welcomed them with openness. Both sides benefited from transcontinental contact. 16. When was the Taj finished, and how did Shah Jahan finish out his reign? The Taj Mahal was finished in 1643. Once finished, he continues to rule the lands for 20 more years. He then later gets imprisoned (for the rest of his life) for ruining the Empire with his costly projects and luxurious lifestyle....