A Visit To A Historical Place. You can find Previous Year Descriptive Essay Topics asked in ICSE board exams.
Descriptive Essay Topic – A Visit To A Historical Place
Introduction:
India has a rich historical past, reminisced from the majestic and imposing monuments like the Taj Mahal.
- Preparation for the journey and arrival at Agra
- Description of the Taj Mahal
- Description of the surroundings; Its magnificence in the moonlight
Conclusion:
Beauty that could inspire poets
India perhaps is amongst few countries of the world which is blessed with a rich historical past. Some glimpses of its glorious history, can be reminisced from the majestic and imposing monuments spread across the length and breadth of the country. One of these monuments, which also finds place in the UNESCO list of ‘wonders of the world,’ is the Taj Mahal at Agra. This was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his loving wife Mumtaz Mahal, more then three hundred and fifty years ago.
I had always wished to see this monument and was thrilled to learn, that my class was going on an excursion trip to Agra in the Dusshera vacations. There were thirty boys in the group accompanied by three teachers. Early morning we set forth from Delhi by bus for the four hour drive to Agra. The journey was a memorable experience with chorus, dance and music. Our enthusiasm was contagious for even the sober teachers joined in the merriment. On reaching Agra, after light refreshment we were back again in the bus for our tryst with the Taj Mahal.
Leaving the bus in the parking slot, we trudged along on foot towards the ticket counter. By the time we got the tickets it was late afternoon. The entrance was through a majestic gate made of red stone. The glowing white Taj Mahal viewed from here presented a magnificent sight. The monument stood on a raised and square platform at the farthest end of the complex. In front was a large lush green garden, which had four pools, which reflected the majestic monument in all its glory. In the centre was the driveway on either side of the pool, lined with fountains. The river Yamuna flowing behind it gave it a divine look. Slowly winding our way through the milling crowd we reached the monument, made of pure white marble, which sparkled in the late afternoon sunlight.
On the four comers of the monument, were four tall graceful, slender minarets, on which were embedded precious gems and stones for decoration and calligraphy. The main structure comprised the central dome flanked by four subsidiary dome chambers. Beneath the central dome were the two gravestones of marble around which we moved. The actual graves of Emperor Shah Jahan and his wife Mumtaj Mahal lay beneath them in the basement. The walls of the main structure and the dome had exquisite carving done on marble, with precious stones embedded in them. Seeing them closely one could not help wonder the great mastery of the artesan who had created them.
The imposing structure was indeed a noble gesture of an emperor expressing his love for his beloved wife. It was however moving to learn that these master artesans had their hands amputated, so that they could not create a similar structure elsewhere. It was late evening and we therefore decided to wait a little longer to see the Taj Mahal in the moonlight.
As luck could have it there was a clear sky. A sigh escaped my lips as I watched the milky monument in moonlight. I was speechless for a moment and could not help recall the words of the famous English poet, Sir Edwin Arnold, “Not a piece of architecture, as other buildings are, but the proud passions of an emperor’s love wrought in living stones.”
Assignments
- You and your friends decide to visit the Red Fort at Delhi. Write about the preparations you made and what impression this monument left on you.
- Describe one frightening incident that you and your family found really nightmarish.