Dear students,
Please share a couple of photos of your trip to the Taj Mahal and write about your experience as to how this added value to your Travel Study program. Provide a link to your photos on the Google drive to make it easier.
Dear students,
Please share a couple of photos of your trip to the Taj Mahal and write about your experience as to how this added value to your Travel Study program. Provide a link to your photos on the Google drive to make it easier.
Today we shifted from our lectures and presentations to a day of tourism and sightseeing. Despite late nights, we were up before sunrise to catch our bus to Agra, about a 4-hour drive from Delhi. Here we had the wonderful opportunity of seeing the Taj Mahal, which was unbelievably beautiful and absolutely amazing to experience. The building is a tribute of love from the king Shah Jahan to his deceased wife as her resting place, built from elaborate marble and precious stones. I couldn’t help but think about how we have been learning about smart cities and architectural innovations, yet this structure is still standing in perfect condition after 400 years, with all aspects perfectly symmetrical and intricately designed. This, in addition to the Agra Fort and palace, was truly inspiring. On the long drive back to Delhi, we ended up having an open mic for each person to sing songs to the group. Needless to say, it was a wonderfully entertaining, exciting, and full day.
Visiting the Taj Mahal was one of the most valuable experiences of this trip for the following reasons.
1) To understand how to address the needs and people of a country, it is important to first fully comprehend the open innovation of a country. Now, you wouldn’t think the Taj Mahal from the word open innovation first, but the Taj Mahal is everything that open innovation embodies. Many different types of people from different sectors of society worked together to create one of the most beautiful monuments in history. For example, the marble formers formed the Taj Mahal with the gem formers who collaborated with the image of the king. Because India created such beauty and collaborated on so many levels to form one of the most amazing feats in history, there is no doubt in my mind that India will continue to create such beauty with its developing country.
2) Understanding the history is second most important when addressing a needs of a country. Without knowing the history of a place, people just quickly make assumptions of what they believe to be the reality of a place. I believe that learning about the intricate history of the Taj Mahal allowed to me to understand India better. Because of this, when we heard from leaders in different industries about SMART cities, the background of the people and why they made those changes allows me to understand their choices.
3) To be leaders in business, we must become global leaders. Because of this, if we had only spoken to people in the industries, it would only allow us to see the high level profile of these decisions. But, to be true global leaders we must learn about the 365 view of a country- so seeing the Taj Mahal gave us the insight into the culture of India.
Rolling through the old capital,
flashback to another era,
A vision of one constructed by many.
A story of Love or ode to power?
fast forward
Hoards touch the top
Technology
Today, we journeyed to Agra to see the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. Pictures do not do the Taj Mahal justice. The Taj Mahal is breathtaking in every way – a unique mix of pure simplicity and intense complexity. Shah Jahan’s creation of the Taj as a testament of love to his wife Mumtaj, was humbling.
Most notably, however, was the perfect symmetry, attention to detail, and awareness of user needs. For example, the letters of the Morning Prayer on the tall gates of the Taj increase in size as you move up the building. This allows viewers to read the prayer easily as the more distant letters appear to be the same size as those at the bottom. Though not a direct connection, our trip to the Taj Mahal was significant to my understanding of human-centric design. On our trip thus far, we have seen two definitions of “smart.” The first is the use of IoT and sensors to make data-driven decisions as seen in GIFT City. The second is the integration of human-centric design to maximize concerns as seen in Old Ahmedabad and in the design of the Taj Mahal. Going forward, I hope to work with my team to develop a framework and plan that will meld the two to address issues being faced by Bay Area cities.
Visiting the Taj Mahal never gets old. I have been to this World Wonder two times before, but each time there are new things to notice. One of the observations I made this time was the intricate attention to detail that went into the planning of this mausoleum. Perhaps this lens of analysis came about given the context of this trip. We have been studying various organizational and management structures when it comes to building smart cities, and with that we must analyze what already exists to see what has been working and what hasn’t. The Taj Mahal is no exception. There was a lot of thought that went behind the Taj’s construction. For instance, there are 22 domes on the north entrance gate to signify the 22 years it took to build the Taj. Additionally, the Taj was built strategically so that it was visible further down the river, so that Shah Jahan could look at his favorite wife’s mausoleum even when he was imprisoned. The very marble that makes up the Taj was also carved meticulously so that it remained its integrity for hundreds years to come.
The Taj Mahal serves as a reminder that history is an important teacher, as we can learn from what has already been done as we look forward to developing our technologies and bettering our society.
A dome of high foundation and a building of great magnificence, the Taj Mahal represents a masterpiece of architectural infrastructure and an astonishment of humanity at large. Shah Jahan not only built the Taj Mahal for his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, as a sign of his never-ending devotion and love but also as a testament to the power and glory of Mughal rule. Built of the finest marble and inlaid with precious gems and stones, the monument is flanked by two immense mosques on either side. In other words, the Taj Mahal was built with prosperity in mind, and as viewers, we had a great deal to absorb and learn.
The trip to the Taj Mahal provided our travel study program with a refreshing departure. As a former study abroad student, I strongly believe in investing in travel. Although the results at times seem intangible, they are nevertheless valuable. Investing in travel correlates with an investment in education. Particularly, as the demand for globally-minded people grows around the world, the opportunity provided through UGBA 193I fosters the achievement of this demand through travel and exploration.
After hearing and seeing so many photos of the Taj Mahal, I had this image in my head of what the experience was going to be like. However, once we stepped through the North Gate and faced the Taj Mahal, its symmetry and beauty stood immense in front of a foggy sky. Our visit far surpassed that image in my head when I saw the intricacy in the stone work, the layout of the grounds, and heard the story of the emperor who built it. Most interestingly, there was supposed to be an exact replica of the Taj Mahal made for the emperor upon his death, but in black marble — it would’ve been quite the sight opposite to the Taj Mahal. Not only did I enjoy seeing the Taj, but I feel like it added alot to our travel study because we saw something remarkable that we could never see in America. Hearing more about the rich culture and history of India has only made me want to come back — I hope that my future pursuits will bring me here and that I may find business opportunities to work with this rapidly developing market.
Today we went to Agra to visit the Taj Mahal, Red Fort, and a marble factory – it was a wonderful experience. The fountains in front of the Taj Mahal were a clear cool blue and the sun lit up the white marble of the Taj Mahal. I don’t know too much about architecture but some of the elements are similar to renaissance architecture – simplicity, symmetry, dimension, domes, and arches. Anyways, my favorite part of the trip was the visit to the marble factory. When we first arrived at the factory we are seated in front of four men who are slowly and precisely shaping gems into small shapes to fit into the marble. The gems come together to form intricate patterns on the marble. The marble is amazing – as the speaker demonstrated that dropping it to the floor couldn’t break it as it can withstand extreme pressures. When he poured coke on it, the marble did not absorb the liquid unlike Italian marble. Finally, when a flashlight is shown on it, it glows! I think that there are some key takeaways about open innovation at the marble factory. 1) Innovation is not always about being the fastest or most efficient – but there is value in the slow and hand-made efforts put in by those men who tirelessly shape the gems into perfection. There is value in being slow if it means being careful and unique. 2) Innovation is not always about reinventing the wheel, but working with what you know works! Instead of using glass to create buildings, why not other** materials that will be better suited for the weather? ** I didn’t put marble, because it’s actually crazy expensive to build something from marble, but I hope you know what I’m trying to say**
As we entered the Taj Mahal, we squeezed our way through large crowds of people that traveled from all over the world to view this monumental piece of India’s history, and we were immediately struck by the sheer size of this glistening white marble tomb. Visiting the Taj Mahal was a once in a lifetime experience, and an integral part of our immersion within India.
An interesting aspect of the Taj Mahal is that its importance does not necessarily come from its cultural or political relevance, but rather its architectural brilliance and the elaborate story surrounding the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan and his wife. The Taj Mahal attracts all types of people, and it serves as a representation of India’s rich history and emphasis on aesthetic beauty. Even as India continues to develop, the Taj Mahal will act as a visible and tangible reminder of the country’s history. The Taj Mahal ultimately demonstrates the importance of preserving history within a city, state, or nation. This is an important lesson, and as we begin our projects we will need to ensure that we fully understand the history of the city and the importance people place in certain locations, institutions, and other aspects of the city.
As a person who has been to a few Wonders of the World such as Chichen Itza, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Roman Coliseum, and more, I was extremely excited to be able to check the Taj Mahal off my list. I had seen pictures of this beautiful structure on the Internet in the past, so I did not have extremely high expectations as its design looked similar to most of the mosques prevalent back in Malaysia, as well as the ornate architecture we’ve seen by historic buildings throughout this India trip. However, as we journeyed together from the Main Gateways to the main complex of the Taj Mahal, it was an amazing experience I will never forget. I still remember that breathtaking moment when we walked through the Gateway’s arch, and during the brief period surrounded by darkness, the only thing visible beyond was the glorious white Taj Mahal – looking like something one would only see in a dream.
I loved how we were able to learn about the rich history of this beautiful place, from the various colors of marble that makes up the seemingly simple-looking gateway, to our initial shock when we heard that all of the workers had their eyes gauged out and fingers cut so that the Emperor could ensure no one would build any other sculpture as magnificent ever again. As we learned about the origins of the Taj Mahal and how Mughal emperor Shah Jahan built it for his beloved wife, this drastic dedication of love made me reflect on the lessons that I have gained so far on this trip regarding the Indian culture, and how it alluded to the emphasis on community and love for each other. Besides that, some other facts that stood out to me was about how the Emperor intended to build a second black Taj Mahal (and being able to see the unfinished foundation of this structure across the river!), and that the entire structure is symmetric except for the placement of the Emperor’s body beside his wife’s own, due to the unfinished second Taj Mahal in the end. Furthermore, I also found it interesting that only eco-friendly vehicles were allowed around the controlled vicinity so that pollutants in the air would not damage the Taj Mahal’s pure while marble. Overall, I am honestly so grateful that we were given the opportunity to visit such a beautiful and intricate Wonder of the World that is rich in history during this business study. It has truly made me more appreciative of my experiences in India, along with the ability to share this amazing moment with all of the great new friends that I have made on this trip.
Google Doc link: https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B9t1rvJnKuG2UDVnTzdYcmlLQzQ&usp=sharing
I can finally say I’ve been to one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Visiting the Taj Mahal was definitely one of the highlights of my India trip. The architecture of the tomb was beautifully planned out, and the white marble structure made it look both modern and timeless. It’s really amazing how much work and detail Emperor Shah Jahan put into the Taj Mahal. I learned that his love for his wife carried the power of more than 20,000 men, and exceeded the boundary of 20 years time. As I walked inside the Taj Mahal, I entertained the thought of having such love towards a woman of my own. Though I’d be a fool to make a twenty-year investment in a building that probably would yield extra-negative ROI, I’d rather be fool for love than a fool without having loved.
On Day 7, we took a quick break from our meetings with business executives, governmental leaders, and academic scholars and spent our Sunday visiting Agra, the home of the one and only Taj Mahal. Completed in 1648 after twenty-two long years, the Taj Mahal has continuously been deemed a Seven Wonder of the World. Today, it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India that has drawn in people from all over the world.
When our class arrived in in front of the Taj Mahal, it immediately became clear why people throughout the generations have appraised the mausoleum for its grandeur and magnificence. The tomb originally built for the wife of emperor Shah Jahan, Mumtaz Mahal, is made out of shimmering white marble and embroidered with semiprecious stones such as ruby. It is guarded by beautiful gardens as well as red-brick decorated buildings created by the fruits of labor of Muslim, Hindu, and Persian artists. To add on to the grandeur, beautiful water fountains that originated in the 1500s decorate the exterior of the Taj Mahal. In addition to visiting the Taj Majal, our class also visited another historic site, the Agra Fort. The Agra Fort, like the Taj Mahal, surprised me with its grand presence. Its interior walls are decorated with gold linings and it oversees a vast amount of land.
I felt that the visit to the Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort was a great addition to our entire Indian journey. This was a wonderful chance for our class to have an opportunity to immerse in Indian culture, which I believe, was part of the point of the trip. Seeing the Taj Mahal really allowed me get a taste of Indian culture and history. In addition, it gave me a chance to see my first World Wonder. My hope is one da, I will be able to return to this magnificent site to once again appreciate its beauty
I believe that a country’s advertised landmarks speak volumes about what the country’s people value and preserve. The history of Taj Mahal, with the king’s devotion to his queen and the intricate details of the building (i.e. using various colors of expensive marble instead of inexpensive paint in order to sustain the palace’s beauty), is a testament to how important it is for Indian people to preserve their culture and tell a story in the process. As a result, the Taj Mahal added significant value to our Travel Study program in: 1) providing a glimpse into what is important to Indian people, 2) innovation and infrastructural development in its most ancient form, and 3) the necessity of collaboration even in times when countries operated in silos and did not open trade with other countries.
Before we can tackle the objective of our Travel Study program—finding smart solutions that build upon the existing infrastructure of cities—we need to understand the underlying sociocultural intentions and intangible cultural barriers affecting social change and innovation. In a culture that is particularly proud of its heritage, especially in its glorious mosaic of diverse dialects, customs, and ethnic groups, we can learn from the Taj Mahal the cultural aspects that the people value. These are the aspects that smart cities need to preserve in spite of its rampant growth. Furthermore, the building of the Taj Mahal also sheds light on the roots of India’s innovation, such as investing in unique building materials, drawing on Persian designs, and installing of forts that deter intruders from entering. Finally, in a time where countries had yet to open up to trade, India had already acknowledged the merits of collaboration and the necessity to draw upon lessons from other cultures. For example, the king had hired Persian artisans who designed the pointed arcs of entrances, the intricate designs on palace walls, and the symmetry of rooms and pillars.
Beyond the architecture itself, I was only truly able to understand the “organized chaos” concept that my Indian classmates used to describe India when I arrived to the Taj Mahal. In a very organized yet chaotic fashion, native Indian residents and tourists alike hustled their way into the site, scrambling to put on their shoe covers to be the first ones to enter the palace. The way Indian people walk and behave at an individual level is similar to the way road traffic operates. The trip felt like a beautiful paradox between cultural heritage and tourist commercialization, and chaotic individuals within organized crowds.
Today we visited the Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort. It was incredible to see such spectacular sights and get a better glimpse into Indian culture and history. This daytrip to Agra supplemented our study of smart cities in multiple ways. First, I think it’s important to evaluate the context within which we are discussing smart cities. As we continue to reiterate, a smart city in India will not look identical to a smart city in America. Therefore, it was critical that we not only discuss issues in boardrooms and lecture halls, but that we also go out and experience India firsthand. Second, there were many amazing facets of the Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort that reminded us to found our smart city frameworks around human-centered design. Hearing about the history and design of these astounding monuments was a worthwhile supplement to our study of smart cities because it allowed us to further develop a global perspective, which I believe is critical in pursuing a well-rounded education.
Photos alone cannot do justice to the Taj Mahal, so we took a break from corporate presentations to visit this grand mausoleum. An important feature that photos of tourists “pinching” the top of the Taj is missing is all the intricate carvings in its walls. Upon closer inspection, I was impressed by all of the detailed and symmetric inlay work done by the Persian artisans hired by Emperor Shah Jahan. This incredible preservation taught us that as our society rapidly progresses forward, we should never forget our rich cultural legacy.