Where is the Taj Mahal located and what is it famous for? Mystery of the Taj Mahal: a monument to love or the throne of Allah

Taj Mahal is one of the greatest monuments of India, built in the name of love and devotion to a woman of extraordinary beauty. Having no analogues of its greatness, it reflects the wealth of an entire era in the history of the state. The white marble building was the last gift of the Mongol Emperor Shah Jahan to his late wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The emperor ordered to find the best craftsmen and instructed them to create a mausoleum, the beauty of which would have no analogues in the world. Today it is included in the list of the seven most majestic monuments in the world. Constructed of white marble and adorned with semi-precious stones and gold, the Taj Mahal has become one of the most magnificent buildings in the world of architecture. It is instantly recognizable and one of the most photographed structures in the world.

The Taj Mahal has become a pearl of Muslim culture in India and one of the universally recognized world masterpieces. For centuries, it has inspired poets, artists, and musicians who have tried to translate its invisible magic into words, paintings, and music. Since the 17th century, people have traveled across the continents to see and enjoy this amazing monument of love. Centuries later, it still captivates visitors with the charm of its architecture, which tells the story of a mysterious love story.

The Taj Mahal (translated as "Palace with a dome") is today considered the most well-preserved and architecturally beautiful mausoleum in the world. Some call the Taj "an elegy in marble", for many it is an eternal symbol of unfading love. The English poet Edwin Arnold called it "not a work of architecture, like other buildings, but the emperor's love torments embodied in living stones," and the Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore considered it "a tear on the cheek of eternity."

Creator of the Taj Mahal

The fifth Mughal emperor Shah Jahan left behind many remarkable architectural monuments associated with the appearance of India in the eyes of the modern world: the Pearl Mosque in Agra, Shahjahanabad (now known as Old Delhi), Diwan-e-Am and Diwan-e-Khas in the citadel Red fort in Delhi. The famous Peacock Throne of the Great Mughals, according to the descriptions of contemporaries, was considered the most luxurious throne in the world. But the most famous of all the surviving monuments was the Taj Mahal, which immortalized his name forever.

Shah Jahan had several wives. In 1607 he was engaged to Arjumanad Banu Begam. The young girl at that time was only 14 years old. 5 years after the engagement, the wedding took place. During the wedding ceremony, Shah Jahan's father, Jahangir, gave his daughter-in-law the name Mumtaz Mahal (translated as "Pearl of the Palace").

According to the official chronicler of Qazvini, Jahan's relationship with other wives "was nothing more than the status of marriage. The intimacy, deep affection, attention and favor that His Majesty felt for Mumtaz was a thousand times greater than the feelings towards any other."

Shah Jahan, "Emperor of the Universe", was a great patron of trade and crafts, science and architecture, art and gardens. He took over the empire after his father's death in 1628 and earned a reputation as a merciless ruler. Through a number of successful military campaigns, Shah Jahan greatly expanded the Mughal Empire. The magnificence and richness of Jahan's court amazed European travelers. At the height of his reign, he was considered the most powerful man on earth.

But the personal life of the powerful emperor was overshadowed by the loss of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal during childbirth in 1631. Legend has it that he promised his dying wife to build the most beautiful mausoleum, incomparable to anything else in the world. So it was in fact or not, Shah Jahan embodied his love and wealth in the creation of just such a monument.

Shah Jahan watched the beautiful creation until the end of his days, but as a prisoner, not a ruler. His son Aurangzeb seized the throne in 1658 and imprisoned his natural father in the Red Fort of Agra. The only consolation was the opportunity to look at the Taj Mahal from the window of his imprisonment. In 1666, before his death, Shah Jahan asked to fulfill his last wish: to be carried to a window overlooking the Taj Mahal, where he again whispered the name of his beloved.

Mumtaz Mahal

She married five years after her engagement, on May 10, 1612. The date was chosen by court astrologers as the most auspicious day for a happy marriage. The marriage bonds of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan turned out to be happy for both newlyweds. Even during her lifetime, poets praised her beauty, harmony and mercy. Mumtaz became a trusted companion of Shah Jahan, traveling with him throughout the Mughal Empire. Only the war was the only reason for their separation. In the future, even the war ceased to separate them. She became a support, love and consolation for the emperor, an inseparable companion of her husband until her death.

For 19 years of marriage, Mumtaz gave birth to 14 children, but the last, fourteenth birth became fatal for her. Mumtaz dies, her body is temporarily buried in Burhanpur.

The chroniclers of the imperial court paid unusually much attention to Jahan's worries in connection with the death of his wife. The emperor was inconsolable in his grief. After the death of Mumtaz, Shah Jahan spent a year in seclusion. When he finally came to his senses, his hair turned gray, his back was bent, and his face was old. The emperor stopped listening to music, wearing jewelry and richly decorated clothes, and using perfume for several years.

Shah Jahan died eight years after the accession of Aurangzeb's son to the throne. "My father tortured great affection for my mother, let his last resting place be next to her," Aurangzeb declared and ordered his father to be buried next to Mumtaz Mahal.

There is a legend that Shah Jahan planned to build a black marble replica on the opposite side of the Yamuna River. But these plans are not destined to turn into reality.

Creation of the Taj Mahal

In December 1631, Shah Jahan started building the Taj Mahal. Its construction was the fulfillment of a promise given to Mumtaz Mahal in the last moments of her life: to build a monument that would match her beauty. The central mausoleum was completed in 1648, and the construction of the entire complex was completed five years later, in 1653.

History hides who exactly owns the layout of the Taj Mahal. In the Islamic world at that time, the construction of buildings was attributed to the customer of the construction, and not to its architect. Based on the sources, it can be confidently stated that a team of architects worked on the project. Like most great monuments, the Taj Mahal is a clear testament to the excessive wealth and excess of its creator. 20,000 workers worked for 22 years to make Shah Jahan's fantasies come true. Sculptors came from Bukhara, calligraphers from Syria and Persia, inlaid work was done by craftsmen from southern India, stonemasons came from Balochistan. Materials were brought from all over India and Central Asia.

Architecture of the Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal consists of the following complex of buildings:

Darwaza (main entrance)
Rauza (mausoleum)
Bageecha (gardens)
Masjid (mosque)
Naqqar Khana (guest house)

The mosque and the guest house built for symmetry surround the mausoleum on both sides. The marble building is surrounded by four minarets leaning slightly outward, a design feature designed to prevent the central dome from being damaged if destroyed. The complex is located in a garden with a large swimming pool, which reflects what no architect in the world has been able to repeat - a copy of the beauty of the Taj Mahal.

The Taj Mahal is surrounded by a beautifully landscaped garden. The Islamic style garden is not just one of the components of the complex. The followers of Muhammad lived in vast expanses of arid lands under the hot sun, so the walled garden personified Paradise on Earth. It covers most of the complex: out of a total area of ​​580x300 m, the garden occupies 300x300 m.

Since the number "4" is considered a holy number in Islam, the location of the Taj Mahal garden is based on the number four and its multiples. Channels and a central pond divide the garden into four parts. Each quarter has 16 flowerbeds (64 in total), separated by walkways. The trees in the garden are either cypress (meaning death) or fruit (meaning life), all arranged in a symmetrical order.

The trees of the Taj Garden are either of the cypress family (meaning death) or the fruit family (meaning life), all arranged in a symmetrical order. The Taj Mahal is located at the northern end of the garden, not in the center. In fact, in the center of the garden, between the Taj and its central gates, there is an artificial reservoir that reflects the mausoleum in its waters.

History of the Taj Mahal after construction

By the middle of the 19th century, the Taj Mahal had become a place of pleasure. Women danced on the terrace, and the mosque with the guest house was rented out to the newlyweds. The British, along with the Indians, plundered the rich carpets, semi-precious stones, silver doors and tapestries that once adorned the mausoleum. Vacationers often came armed with a hammer and chisel to better extract pieces of agate and carnelian from stone flowers.
For a while it seemed that the monument, like the Mughals themselves once, might disappear. In 1830, Lord William Bentinck (Governor General of India at the time) planned to dismantle the Taj Mahal and sell its marble. It is said that only the absence of potential buyers prevented the destruction of the mausoleum.

In 1857, during the Indian uprising, the Taj Mahal suffered even more damage. By the end of the 19th century, it finally fell into disrepair. The territory without care was overgrown, the graves were defiled by vandals.

After years of decline, the British Governor-General of India, Lord Curzon, organized a massive restoration project that ended in 1908. The building was repaired, the garden and canals restored. The restoration of the monument helped restore its former glory.

It is customary to scold the British for their dismissive attitude towards the Taj Mahal, but the Indians did not treat their treasure much better. As the population of Agra increased, the monument began to suffer from pollution and acid rain, which discolored its white marble. In the late 1990s, the monument's future was in serious jeopardy when the Supreme Court of India ordered the removal of particularly hazardous industries outside the city.
The Taj Mahal is considered the best example of Mughal architecture, combining elements of Persian, Indian, and Islamic architectural schools. In 1983, the monument was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, calling it "the pearl of Muslim art in India and one of the masterpieces of world heritage, causing universal admiration."

The Taj Mahal has become India's most identifiable symbol, attracting around 2.5 million tourists annually. It is one of the most recognizable monuments in the world. The history behind its construction makes it one of the greatest monuments of love ever built in the world.

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Many people have heard this phrase, perhaps even seen photographs, but not everyone knows exactly what the Taj Mahal is, in which city and country it is located. Let's try to take a short trip and introduce you to the greatest work of art, an architectural masterpiece and a monument to eternal and true love.

The pearl of Muslim culture, the Taj Mahal, a brief description of which, of course, will not allow to fully describe the grandeur and splendor of this monument, a truly beautiful structure, as if it came from oriental fairy tales. Its architecture harmoniously intertwines the styles of Persia, India and Islam.

Where is the Taj Mahal located? This mosque is located on the banks of the Jamna River, not far from the Indian city of Agra, and was built by order of Shah Jahan, the ruler of the Great Moghuls and great-grandson of the famous conqueror Tamerlane, in memory of the deceased wife of Mumtaz Mahal.

The Taj Mahal is a huge complex of white marble. The main structure is a mausoleum with five domes, surrounded by graceful minarets on four sides and having a height of 74m. Its white stone walls, reflected in the still waters of the artificial pool, create the impression of weightlessness and are like a mirage hovering above the earth. Thanks to the polished marble finish, the architectural ensemble, depending on the time of day, changes color shades from snow-white to lilac-pink, and shines with silver in the moonlight.

Part of the park that frames the complex is a road that leads to the entrance to the mausoleum. The path, lined with cypress trees, symbolizing sadness, represents the entrance to the paradise that Shah Jahan built for his beloved wife. In the middle of this road is a water channel lined with marble slabs. Once, during the time of the ruler, outlandish ornamental fish swam in it, and important peacocks walked along the paths around the pool.

The tomb itself stands on a square marble pedestal and is a symmetrical octagonal building with a large entrance arch topped with an onion-shaped dome. Initially, the crown of the dome was gold, but later, it was replaced by an ideal bronze copy. The shape of the main dome is aesthetically emphasized by four smaller domed structures that are located at the corners above the tomb. The facade is decorated with refined lancet arches, and a majestic staircase leads to the very center.

Minarets, about 50 m high, are located in strict accordance with axial symmetry, relative to the mausoleum. A slight slope to the side is due to the protection of the main building from destruction, in the event of a fall of the towers. Each of them is divided into three by two balconies, which encircle the building in a circle. All decorative ornaments are covered with gilding and successfully complement the overall picture.

Exterior

The artistic exterior of the Taj Mahal is considered a masterpiece of architectural art. It is selected taking into account all the nuances of the building material - marble, its surface in different areas is distinguished by its structure. The use of various types of plaster, inlays and stone figures turned the decorative elements of the monument into works of art and gave it a unique style.

The white stone of the walls is decorated with the most complex mosaic of precious and semi-precious stones. Exquisite floral ornaments and Arabic quotations from the Koran, appeals to believers, are made of black marble. Islam forbids mentioning human symbols in the decoration of mosques, so the creators of the exterior depicted abstractions, flowers, various ornate patterns. All of them are skillfully made, using yellow marble, jade and jasper.

Interior

All four entrances lead to the main octagonal hall of the tomb. Inside, high walls merge into a vaulted, domed ceiling painted with solar motifs. Stone flowers descend in garlands on white marble, and the most skillful carving and intricate Arabic script amaze with their thoroughness and skill. In the center, behind an openwork marble screen, there are two symbolic tombstones, they are decorated with various geometric patterns and precious stones.

The very burial of Shah Jahan and his wife is located in the basement. The fact is that according to religious traditions, it is impossible to pretentiously decorate the graves, therefore they buried the ruler and his beloved in an ordinary crypt, and the sarcophagi in the mausoleum are a place of worship and a tribute to the memory of great feelings.

Love story

Mumtaz often accompanied her husband on military campaigns and travels, was the most beloved woman and reliable friend. They happily lived together for 19 years, and during this time they had 14 children, but the last birth was fatal for Mumtaz. The grief of the emperor was inconsolable, and he spent a whole year after the death of his wife in seclusion. When he came to his senses, he vowed to build a tomb, which has no equal in the whole world, in order to leave the memory of the great love and name of his beloved Mumtaz Mahal for centuries. Thus began the history of the creation of one of the greatest creations of mankind.

Where is the Taj Mahal on the world map

Taj Mahal photo inside and outside

Construction began in 1632 and lasted 22 long years. Who built the Taj Mahal in India? Of course, the very idea, funds and main orders in the course of construction belong to Emperor Khan Jahan. But all the work was carried out under the guidance of 37 architects, the project of the main building belongs to Ismail Afandi, and the creation of the general image of the complex is attributed to the Turkish architect Usadat Is. In total, more than 25,000 builders, engineers, artists from India and Central Asia were involved in the construction work.

The land purchased near Agra was completely replaced with thicker and denser soil, and raised 50 meters above the banks of the Jumna River. With the help of wells dug and filled with rubble, a support for the foundation was obtained, which was also a kind of "airbag" during earthquakes. The common bamboo scaffolding of the time was replaced with brick scaffolding, a measure taken to make it easier to work with the heavy marble.

For greater convenience of delivery to the construction site of the same marble and other building materials, a 15-kilometer trench was specially dug. Special carts were used here, on which 20 or even 30 oxen pulled exorbitant weights. Separately, a system of channels and reservoirs was developed to provide the construction site with a sufficient amount of water.

The approximate cost of construction was over 32 million rupees, which then represented an almost exorbitant amount.

The foundation and the tomb were built in 12 years, another ten were spent on construction:

• minarets;
• big gate;
• mosques;
• pavilion for guests;
• park and garden.

Despite the complexity and duration of the work, as a result, an architectural complex appeared in India that boggles the imagination and is rightfully one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Information for visitors

The Taj Mahal is by far India's most visited attraction, attracting nearly three million tourists from all over the world every year. There are many people here every season, but the main influx is in November and February, as the temperature drops a little during these months, which makes traveling in this country more comfortable.

• Accurate information about where the Taj Mahal is located in relation to other places worth visiting will help save time and orient yourself on the ground. This architectural monument is located 20 km from Agra (200 km from Delhi) . You can get there by train that goes to Mumbai or Calcutta (stop in Agra, and from there take a taxi to the memorial).
• Locals advise to come here in the morning , but not very early, because due to the fog (which is not uncommon in these places), the photos may turn out to be of poor quality.
• The tomb museum is open from 6 am to 7 pm every day , except Friday, when prayer is held in the mosque. To see the mausoleum under the moon, two days before and two days after the full moon, the complex is available from 20.30 to 24.00.
• The cost of visiting is about 800 rupees , children under 15 years old are admitted free of charge, moreover, you need to remember that the fee is carried out only in national currency.
• Shooting with professional equipment is prohibited here. , but the use of small cameras and cameras is possible. To capture the Taj Mahal inside and out for yourself can be done for a small fee of 25 rupees.
• Before entering the complex, a prerequisite is inspection for the presence of dangerous objects , harmful substances and weapons. It is also forbidden to bring food into the territory. It is not advisable to take large bags and backpacks with you.
• Shoes must be removed when entering the temple. , but they are not advised to leave it at the doorstep, since then it may not be found. Remembering about unsanitary conditions and hygiene, it is worth taking socks with you.

Despite the long queues, difficulties with moving and the conventions of control, a huge number of tourists go to Agra to enjoy the experience and see the symbol of unfading and boundless love, as Shah Jahan saw him.

A beautiful story about the history of the creation of the Taj Mahal
http://migranov.ru/agrastory.php

For 22 years (1630-1652), more than twenty thousand people, including the best architects and architects of India, Persia, Turkey, Venice and Samarkand, built this airy lace marble monument of love of the Muslim Mogul King Shah Jahan ("Lord of the World") to to his wife Arjumand Bano Begum, who received the name Mumtaz Mahal during the coronation, which means "the chosen one of the court."

They got married when she was 19 years old. He only loved young Mumtaz and did not notice other women. She gave birth to her master 14 children and died giving birth to the last child.

For a long time, the Taj Mahal was the tallest building in India, its height, together with the main dome, is 74 meters.

And yet, this miracle has existed for 355 years.

The mausoleum of the Taj Mahal is located in the city of Agra, Uttar Pradesh. This most famous building in India and the symbol of the country is an amazing and also the most enduring monument of Indian Muslim architecture of the Mughal era. The Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore called the Taj Mahal "a tear on the cheek of eternity".

In 1983, the Taj Mahal entered the UNESCO World Heritage List. In addition, the mausoleum is included in the international list of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Every year this beautiful architectural ensemble is visited by several million tourists.

Creation story - love story

The Taj Mahal, often referred to as the “symbol of love,” was built in the 17th century on the banks of the Yamuna River by Emperor Shah Jahan, a descendant of Tamerlane, to sing and perpetuate the memory of his beloved wife who died in childbirth.

Shah Jahan, who was the fifth Mughal emperor, left behind many famous architectural landmarks. These are the Pearl Mosque in Agra, the capital of Shahjahanabad (now old Delhi, including Lal Qila or the Red Fort in Delhi with beautiful halls of the Diwan-i-Am and Diwan-i-Khas halls, as well as the Jama Masjid Grand Mosque) and the famous golden throne of the Mughals - The Peacock Throne, rightfully recognized as the most luxurious throne in the whole world.

However, the splendor of the Taj Mahal remained unsurpassed, and it was this building that forever immortalized the names of the emperor and his beloved.

Shah Jahan, who after a series of successful military campaigns that expanded the boundaries of the Mughal Empire, was called the "Emperor of the Universe", had several wives. His third wife, a 19-year-old beauty, was given the name Mumtaz Mahal, which means "Pearl of the Palace", during the wedding ceremony by her father-in-law.

The ruler fell in love with Mumtaz and she accompanied him in all military campaigns. The emperor's relations with the other wives were purely formal, and with Mumtaz he was united by deep sincere affection. For 19 years of marriage, the beloved gave the ruler 14 children. However, the last childbirth that took place on the campaign became fatal for the woman.

It is said that Shah Jahan promised his dying wife that he would build a beautiful mausoleum for her. However, he did not immediately begin to fulfill his plan. The first year after the death of his beloved, the emperor grieved and spent all his time in solitude.

When the inconsolable widower stopped his seclusion, his subjects did not recognize him - the ruler grew old, turned gray and hunched over. The chroniclers of the palace testified that Shah Jahan stopped listening to music, abandoned jewelry and smart clothes.

Automobile

The city of Agra is located in the so-called Golden tourist triangle, this region is distinguished by an extensive network of roads. Agra connects with Delhi and Varanasi highway NH-2, with Jaipur - NH-11, and with Gwalior - NH-3.

Distances from Agra to other cities:

• Bharatpur - 57 km;
• Delhi - 204 km;
• Gwalior - 119 km;
• Jaipur - 232 km;
• Kanpur - 296 km;
• Khajuraho - 400 km;
• Lucknow - 369 km;
• Mathura - 56 km;
• Varanasi – 605 km.

parking

The closest car park to the Taj Mahal is at the Shilpgram Cultural and Art Complex.

Agra to the Taj Mahal

You can move around Agra on Taxi(Uber, Ola), sightseeing mini-bus "tempo", auto or cycle rickshaw. At the main station of Agra Cantonment, you can order a prepaid taxi (prepaid taxi).

For 500 meters from the Taj Mahal, the movement of cars with internal combustion engines is prohibited so as not to spoil the whiteness of the walls of the palace. Therefore, you can drive up to the mausoleum by electric car or rickshaw, but the last 200 meters must be overcome only on foot.

Taj Mahal: google-panorama

Taj Mahal: google panorama inside the building

Video about the Taj Mahal / National Geographic

Shah Jahan or "Lord of the World" is one of the emperors of the Mughal dynasty. At his behest, magnificent architectural monuments were built in the state: the main of which was the Taj Mahal mausoleum in Agra, where the beloved wife of the emperor found his refuge, and later he himself.

Shah Jahan was the third son of Padishah Jahangir and, by birth, could not claim the throne.

But through intrigue, struggle with his father and brothers, as well as a successful marriage to his father's niece in 1627, he becomes the head of a large Baburid empire. Under him, the state reached its peak of power and prosperity. Incomes rose, and the imperial palaces in luxury could be compared with the best royal houses in Europe.

background

Shah Jahan was married several times, according to tradition he also had a large harem. But according to historians, he loved one woman all his life. Some sources tell a beautiful story about how a young Shahzade saw a beautiful girl in the market and fell in love with her.

I really want to believe in this beautiful fairy tale about Cinderella. But everything was much more prosaic. Banu Begum was the daughter of the chief minister of the empire and was the prince's cousin. Before the wedding, the lovers had to wait for five whole years. Firstly, because the first wife of the Shahzade was a Persian princess, it was an advantageous dynastic marriage. Secondly, the royals of the East have been checking with the stars all their lives. And the favorable moment for the next marriage fell on 1612. Youthful love has stood the test of years. During the wedding, the emperor gave his daughter-in-law a new name. Thus, Mumtaz Mahal appeared, which meant “decoration of the palace”.

It is hard to imagine what passions were seething in the imperial harem. The rejected elder wife weaved intrigues, participated in conspiracies, made scandals. There is a case when Banu Begum was almost poisoned. And although the ruler honestly performed his marital duty in the harem, for many years his heart was captured by Mumtaz Mahal.

She was not just a wife, but also a faithful friend, comrade-in-arms, companion. She also accompanied her husband on his travels.

The woman was present at important meetings, her advice was listened to. At least the fact that Mumtaz was entrusted with keeping the state seal testified to her position. And all this despite the fact that the beloved woman of the padishah regularly brought a child almost every year. The emperor called his wife Lala, which translated as "a drop of ruby." Grand celebrations and processions were held in honor of Mumtaz Mahal. Of all the padishah's wives, a portrait was ordered only for her, although Islam forbade depicting living people.

The petty mischief of the harem wives did not overshadow the happiness of Shah Jahan and his beloved. In 1627, after the death of his father, the then Shahzade proclaimed himself the ruler of the Mughal Empire. Now he has everything: the throne, the country, his beloved wife. But happiness does not last long. Three years later, the emperor has to go to suppress the uprising in the province of Burhanpur. The faithful wife, although she was in the last stages of pregnancy, again accompanies her husband. Arriving at the place, Mumtaz Mahal gave birth to the fourteenth child and died. She was 36 years old, of which 17 she lived in a marriage with Shah Jahan.

The emperor swore to his dying wife that he would take care of his eldest daughter Jahanar and build a magnificent tomb in honor of his love.

The second promise was fulfilled, and for what century the whole world has been admiring the Taj Mahal - a symbol of great love and immense sorrow. Its construction became the meaning of the emperor's life. But the daughter herself was forced to take care of her father. She tried to bring him out of deep mourning, which lasted several years, and then took the place of her late mother in the hierarchy of the palace.

Shah Jahan buried his dead wife in the province of Burhanpur. A few months later, the body was transferred to Agra, where it was again interred on the banks of the Yamuna. And the emperor was already planning the construction of a mausoleum for Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal has been under construction for over two decades.

Project and construction

The emperor's choice fell on the city of Agra. In the 17th century, it stood on the same level with Delhi in importance. The final resting place of Mumtaz Mahal was also successful. For several centuries, the tomb was not damaged by a single earthquake.

The builders began the construction of the tomb in 1632. From all over the country, more than 22 thousand skilled craftsmen and just workers were gathered who were engaged in the construction and decoration of the Taj Mahal. The main structure was designed by the architect Ismail Afandi. The Persian architect and artist Ustad Isa, the famous calligrapher Amanat Khan, the decorator Kazim Khan from Lahore and many other well-known builders worked with him.

The marble from which the tomb is built has unique properties. The translucent shade of the base material can change its color depending on the time of day: pink in the morning, white in the afternoon, silver at night. Marble slabs were mined in the quarries of Makrana, which was located at a distance of 300 km from Agra. They were delivered with the help of bulls and elephants. For this, the road was rammed, and the material was piled on special wagons. The best semi-precious stones were used for decoration: Chinese jade, Iranian amethyst, Russian malachite, Persian turquoise and others brought from different countries. The researchers counted about thirty varieties of stones that adorned the walls of the tomb. The inscriptions were made of black marble.

The area under the Taj Mahal was dug up, the soil was partially replaced. The site was raised above the surface of the river by several tens of meters. The builders installed a special block system, with the help of which heavy marble was delivered to the desired height. In order not to carry water from the river in buckets, they came up with a design of pipes and containers.

The total amount spent by the state treasury for the construction of the tomb was 32 million rupees.

Today, that amount would be $827 million. Shah Jahan spared no expense, because even after his death, his beloved was supposed to receive all the most expensive and exquisite.

Architecture

The complex of buildings of the Taj Mahal includes the following buildings:

• Main entrance. It is made in the form of a high domed wall with two turrets along the edges. After passing it, you can get into the courtyard of the tomb.
• Mausoleum-mosque. At the corners of the platform there are four minarets, slightly tilted to the side. Such a design feature would not allow high towers to fall on the tomb when destroyed.
• Two identical buildings on the sides of the tomb. Guest houses are lined up on the left and right for balance.
• Garden with pool complex.

The architecture of the entire complex is a unique combination of elements of Indian, Persian and Arabic architecture. The appearance of the tomb is similar to the tomb of Emperor Humayun from the Baburid dynasty, which is located in the city of Delhi. The height of the Taj Mahal is equal to a twenty-story building, but unusual proportions give it lightness and weightlessness. The ancient architect equalized the height and width of the facade of the building, and made many semicircular niches. The height of the central dome is 25 meters and its diameter is 17 meters. To deliver building materials to such a height, a sloping earth embankment 3.5 kilometers long was built.

The mausoleum itself is set on a large platform, which is 600 meters long and 300 meters wide. On the north side, it ends with a small cliff near the river.

The entrance to the site of the mausoleum is a wide staircase. It is customary to leave shoes here. The interior of the tomb is also beautiful and majestic. The surfaces of the walls are entwined with flowers made of stone and finished with gems, and phrases from the Koran are inscribed above the windows. In the central room there are two tombs of white and pink marble. But the bodies of the Shah, Mumtaz Mahal and close associates are in the basement, located below ground level.

On the other side of the river, opposite the tomb, you can see an abandoned construction site. Historians claim that Shah Jahan planned to build another mausoleum. Both tombs were supposed to be connected by a bridge made of black and white marble, which would symbolize the community of two souls in love. But this venture failed. The tomb of Mumtaz Mahal cost the state too much, so it was not possible to allocate funds for another building. In addition, soon one of the emperor's sons, Prince Aurangzeb, killed his brothers and rebelled against his father. Accusing Shah Jahan of huge expenses, he kept the former ruler under guard in Delhi. After the death, according to the will, the body of the emperor was transferred to the Taj Mahal.

A park

Around the Taj Mahal there is a magnificent park with an area of ​​9 hectares. The territory of the park is divided by four channels, which are connected at right angles. So the ideas of the Koran about paradise were embodied. Indeed, according to the holy book, rivers flow in paradise not only with water, but also with honey, wine and milk. The center of the park is occupied by a long pond. This arrangement was not accidental. Those who entered the main gate saw two Taj Mahals, one real and the other reflected in the water.

When landscaping, landscape designers of that time often used the number "4". So, the whole park was divided into quadrangular sections. In each part there were 16 flower beds, which were separated from each other by paths. The choice of trees was also not accidental. Fruit varieties and cypresses were planted here, symbolizing life and death.

On three sides, the park is surrounded by a red stone fence. You can get here through the main gate, which is crowned with 22 small domes according to the number of years the tomb was built. The magnificent gates are also symbolic, as if they open the entrance to paradise. In the old days, exotic birds lived in the park, goldfish splashed in the ponds, and the garden was fragrant with the smell of thousands of wonderful flowers. Later, the area was no longer so carefully looked after, and today it resembles a traditional English park.

After construction

After the fall of the Mughal Empire, some of the buildings belonging to the Baburid dynasty were destroyed and plundered. In the 19th century, the Taj Mahal ceased to play the role of a state shrine. Now it has turned into a place for entertainment. There were even picnics and dances. The wealth of the tomb began to be taken away, vacationers were not averse to breaking off a piece of a stone flower or breaking off a beautiful stone from the wall. The Taj Mahal also suffered during the uprising of Indian soldiers dissatisfied with the policy of the British.

At one time, plans were made to dismantle the building and then sell the marble. Fortunately, it didn't come to that. And the tomb of the emperor's wife fell into decay more and more.

It is hard to imagine what the Taj Mahal looked like in its time, what riches it possessed. For example, the main doors to the tomb were made of silver. And the floor, on which there were two tombs, contained golden elements. There were also precious bedspreads embroidered with pearls in the room. This and much more was stolen by foreign soldiers and by the Hindus themselves. According to historians, at the beginning of the 19th century, English dragoons carried a huge amount of pure gold from the tomb.

And only at the beginning of the 20th century, work began on the restoration of the tomb. They were initiated by Lord Curzon, Viceroy of India, who paid much attention to the preservation of ancient monuments. The buildings of the Taj Mahal were repaired, the pools were cleaned and filled, and the garden was ennobled.

The Taj Mahal along with the Lotus Temple in Delhi are two of India's most visited attractions. The most stringent measures have been taken to protect monuments.

In order to avoid various incidents on the territory of the Taj Mahal, many police officers are on duty. Those who come to the tomb take off their shoes and leave their property in safes at the exit, except for documents and money. But the splendid shrine of India is threatened by a different kind of danger. Due to atmospheric pollution, the marble on the building begins to turn yellow and deteriorate. It is required to constantly clean the surfaces of the tomb with special compounds. Aircraft flights are prohibited over the Taj Mahal, and parking lots have been moved from the complex as far as possible so that exhaust gases do not spoil the ancient mausoleum. A number of urban plants, which polluted the air with their emissions, also had to be closed.

At the beginning of the 21st century, scientists discovered another nuisance: cracks began to appear on the walls of the tomb. Due to the drying up of the Jumna River, the structure of the soil under the Taj Mahal began to change. It is assumed that this may lead in the future to the displacement of earthen layers and the collapse of the palace. Therefore, the authorities of the state of Uttar Pradesh have to carry out work to strengthen the soil.

More facts about the Taj Mahal

For those who, according to the English traveler Edward Lear, have not yet been lucky enough to see the Taj Mahal, there are several interesting facts:

1. 1983 - the date of the inclusion of the tomb in the list of cultural heritage of UNESCO.
   99 names of Allah are inscribed on the walls of the main building.
2. The tomb has incredible acoustics. This was done on purpose so that the words of the prayer would hang in the air for a while. It is calculated that the sound fades here for almost half a minute.
3. year 2001. India is restless, the conflict with Pakistan continues. To save the tomb from possible destruction from the air, the country's authorities ordered to prepare 400 square meters of dark fabric, which could cover the building from above. In 1942, special scaffolding was already being installed, with the aim of hiding the Taj Mahal from bombing by German and Japanese pilots.
4. 2007 - Taj Mahal is listed as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Voting was carried out via SMS messages, in which about 100 million people participated.
5. The main facade of the building was previously located on the side of the Dzhamba River. The facade in that part shone with precious stones. A beautiful terrace was also made, along which guests climbed to the tomb. This entrance was intended for the emperor and his entourage. But over the years, the northern part of the building began to look simpler and poorer, so the entrance was moved to the south side.
6. Fogs often occur in Agra in January. Against such a background, all the splendor of the Taj Mahal is blurred. For those who want to take good pictures of the tomb, it is better to choose another month.

How to get there

The Taj Mahal is located in the city of Agra in the state of Uttar Pradesh. You can get here from the capital of India by train, which follows one of the following directions: to Mumbai, Kolkata and Gwalior. The railway station is called Agra Cantt.