Why is Taj Mahal Dying As A Monument?

Being one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the beauty and magnificence of the Taj Mahal attract tourists from all over the land. However, in recent years there had been a significant diminish in the appearance of this masterpiece. The expulsion of Sulfuric dioxide and Nitrogen dioxide from the road traffic and nearby factories has been the cause of acid rain. Acid rain with the formation of Sulfuric acid and Nitric acid had degraded the morphology of the Taj Mahal by tarnishing its color to yellow and further eroding the structure.

Image Source- Econaur.com

 The milky white mausoleum in all its glory.

The Taj Mahal was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died during childbirth in 1631. Construction began in 1632 and was completed in 1653, employing thousands of artisans, craftsmen, and labourers. The Taj Mahal is renowned for its exquisite Mughal architecture, characterised by symmetrical design, intricate marble inlay work, and decorative elements inspired by Persian, Islamic, and Indian architectural styles. The main mausoleum is constructed of white marble, adorned with intricate carvings and inlays of semi-precious stones. The Taj Mahal is often regarded as a symbol of love and is considered one of the most beautiful expressions of devotion in the world. It is said that Shah Jahan was so grief-stricken by the death of Mumtaz Mahal that he vowed to build a monument that would immortalise their love for eternity. The Taj Mahal complex is laid out in a symmetrical manner, with the mausoleum situated at the centre of a large garden. The main gateway, known as the Darwaza-i-Rauza, leads to a pathway lined with fountains and gardens, culminating at the marble mausoleum. Flanking the Taj Mahal are two identical red sandstone buildings, a mosque and a guesthouse, which enhance the symmetry of the complex. The Taj Mahal features intricate calligraphy and Quranic inscriptions adorning its walls, including verses from the Quran and poetic verses praising the beauty of Mumtaz Mahal and the emperor’s love for her. Alongside Quranic verses, there are also poetic verses that praise the beauty, virtues, and virtues of Mumtaz Mahal, the beloved wife of Shah Jahan. These verses express the emperor’s deep affection and admiration for his consort, immortalising her memory in stone. Some inscriptions serve as epitaphs, providing details about the construction of the Taj Mahal and dedicating it to Mumtaz Mahal. These inscriptions include the names of architects, craftsmen, and artisans involved in building the monument, as well as Shah Jahan’s dedication to his beloved wife.

There are various ecological factors that put Taj Mahal at the risk of decay; The Yamuna River, which flows adjacent to the Taj Mahal, is highly polluted due to industrial effluents, sewage discharge, and agricultural runoff. Water pollution not only poses a threat to the aquatic ecosystem but also affects the groundwater quality around the monument. Contaminated water can seep into the foundation of the Taj Mahal, contributing to its deterioration and structural instability.

Tourism-related activities generate a considerable amount of solid waste and litter, which can accumulate in and around the Taj Mahal complex. Improper waste disposal not only detracts from the aesthetic appeal of the monument but also poses environmental hazards, including soil and water contamination, habitat degradation, and harm to wildlife.

However, the most prominent issue pertaining to the sanctity of the Taj Mahal is the risk of airborne decay. Agra, the city where the Taj Mahal is located, suffers from high levels of air pollution, primarily due to vehicle emissions, industrial activities, and the burning of fossil fuels. Airborne pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter can deposit on the marble surfaces of the monument, leading to discolouration, erosion, and damage over time.

In 1982, a 6 million metric ton-a-year oil refinery in Mathura, a small town in Uttar Pradesh had gone into full-scale commercial production. This posed a threat to not one but many historical monuments and significant places of worship including- Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, tomb of Itmad-ud-daullah, Jami Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chishti, panch Mahal and other places at Fatehpur-sikri, Aurangazeb’s Red stone Mosque, Dwarakadish temple, Gita Mandir and Jama Masjid of Mathura, Govinda Deva temple of Vrindavan and the massive Radhaswami marble structure at Dayalbagh.

Today, it is one of the leading causes of degradation of the magnificent Taj Mahal. This degradation primarily stems from the emission of pollutants such as sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during industrial processes. Upon release, these pollutants interact with the atmosphere, forming secondary pollutants and particulate matter that settle on the Taj Mahal’s surfaces. The interaction of sulfur dioxide with atmospheric moisture results in the formation of sulfuric acid, which, along with nitric acid from nitrogen oxides, contributes to the phenomenon of acid rain. Acid rain accelerates the erosion and corrosion of the Taj Mahal’s marble, as the acids react with the calcium carbonate present in the stone, leading to the formation of gypsum and other sulfates.

The impact of air pollutants on the weathering process of stones is heavily influenced by their structure and chemical composition. For example, sandstone comprises sand particles bound together by various minerals acting as cementing agents, such as quartz (SiO2), calcite, dolomite, and hematite. Similarly, limestone and marble primarily consist of calcium carbonate in the form of calcite. When sulfur dioxide in polluted air reacts with calcium carbonate in sandstone, it forms calcium sulfate, while sulfuric acid from the dissolution of sulfur dioxide in water reacts with calcium carbonate to produce calcium sulfite, which is subsequently oxidized to calcium sulfate by atmospheric oxygen. Additionally, magnesium carbonate reacts with sulfuric acid to yield magnesium sulfate. The presence of carbon dioxide in water increases the solubility of calcium carbonate, but the solubility of calcium sulfate and magnesium sulfate is significantly higher, leading to the disintegration of sandstone. In environments where lime and sandstones are shielded from rain, thin and relatively hard layers composed mainly of carbonates and sulfates of calcium and magnesium develop on their surfaces. However, exposure to rain prevents the formation of such layers, as sulfate deposits dissolve in rainwater and are washed away, leading to leaching and subsequent flaking off of grains. Moreover, the formation of gypsum contributes to the gradual breakdown of the stone surface, causing large pieces of sandstone to flake off due to the increased volume of calcium sulfate compared to calcium carbonate. The volumetric expansion of calcium sulfate is notably higher than that of calcium carbonate, further contributing to the disintegration process, due to these reasons the sheer white mausoleum is turning yellow-green in colour. 

To restore the Taj Mahal’s brilliant white marble, a method known as mud-pack therapy is being employed. This process involves the application of Fuller’s Earth, a type of clay substance, onto the surface of the marble. The Fuller’s Earth is spread evenly across the marble and left to dry for several days. During this time, the mud absorbs and draws out dirt and impurities from the marble. To ensure that the mud pack remains dry and effective, plastic sheets are placed over it. Once the mud pack has fully dried, it naturally falls off, leaving the marble underneath clean and refreshed. The final step involves cleaning the marble with distilled water to eliminate any remaining traces of dirt. This restoration method is lauded for its efficiency, ease of use, and most importantly, its non-corrosive and non-abrasive nature, which helps preserve the integrity of the Taj Mahal’s delicate marble surfaces.

Bibliography

• M. Aslam, Studies on Taj Mahal Plasters, Studies in Conservation, May 1990, Vol. 35, No. 2 (May 1990), pp. 102-106
• Darryl D’Monte, Ambio , 1983, Vol. 12, No. 2, Environmental Research and Management Priorities for the 1980s (1983), pp. 130-131