Taj Mahal interior. India in stone: the great Taj Mahal! A great love story: Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal

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 spend little trip and introduce you to the greatest work of art, architectural masterpiece and a monument to eternal and true love.

The pearl of Muslim culture Taj Mahal short description which, of course, will not allow to fully describe the grandeur and splendor of this monument, truly beautiful, as if coming from oriental tales building. 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 Jumna River, not far from Indian city Agra and was built by order of Shah Jahan - the ruler of the Great Moghuls and the great-grandson of the famous conqueror Tamerlane, in memory of the deceased wife of Mumtaz Mahal.

Taj Mahal is huge complex from 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. Featuring a polished marble finish architectural ensemble, depending on the time of day, changes color shades from snow-white to lilac-pink, and casts 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. Application various kinds plaster, inlays and stone figures turned the decorative elements of the monument into works of art and gave 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 necessary condition 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.

Taj Mahal is one of greatest monuments India, built in the name of love and devotion to a woman of unusual 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 modern world: Pearl Mosque in Agra, Shahjahanabad (now known as Old Delhi), Diwan-e-Am and Diwan-e-Khas in Red Fort citadel 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 according to which Shah Jahan planned to build an exact copy of black marble on opposite side 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. An Islamic style garden is not just one of constituent parts 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: from total area 580x300 m, 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. environment and the acid rain that bleached its white marble. In the late 1990s, the future of the monument was under serious threat until Supreme Court India decided to move especially harmful production 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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Of course, in India this is not the only thing to see, but not all at once :) For now, we are adding to the list “See the Taj Mahal” ... The history of its construction is a love story ...

Having met a beautiful poor girl in the bazaar with wooden beads in her hands, Prince Khurram fell in love with her at first sight and firmly decided to take the beauty as his wife. Mumtaz Mahal became a person whom he completely trusted and even consulted. She was the only one from his harem who accompanied him on military campaigns. For 17 years of marriage, they had 13 children. But Mumtaz Mahal did not survive the difficult birth on the 14th.

The mausoleum was built by more than 20,000 people over 22 years. When the construction came to an end, in 1653, the aging ruler gave the order to proceed with the construction of a second building - a mausoleum for himself, an exact copy of the first, but made of black marble.

But this was not destined to come true. In 1658, Shah Jahan was overthrown by his son Aurangzeb. He stopped the construction of the second mausoleum, and imprisoned his father until the end of his life in a tower, from the window of which he could see Taj Mahal. And only after death they were reunited again - according to the will, he was buried next to her, in the same crypt with her. “This is such a squiggle… you know…”

The best twenty thousand craftsmen came from all over the world to build the Taj Mahal. The white marble walls were adorned with mosaics of a large number of different precious stones. In the center of the mausoleum Taj Mahal there were so-called false tombs, but the crypts were located under the floor and were reliably protected from prying eyes. The walls of the burial hall were inlaid with graceful stone flowers.

Currently, the Taj Mahal is visited annually by both thousands of tourists and locals- Indians. In the past, large silver doors - the symbol of the entrance to paradise - were marked with a special pattern of silver studs. This expensive door to one of the robbery raids was stolen. Later it was decided to install a copper door instead of a silver one. In addition, the decor of the facade was pretty "ripped off" - most of gems from it irretrievably disappeared.

From the minarets of the Taj Mahal, more than once, unfortunate lovers rushed down, similarly committing suicide. Therefore, now the entrance there is closed and reliably guarded by the police. In addition, law enforcement officers ensure that visitors do not photograph the details of the mausoleum. According to the established strict rules, it is allowed to take pictures only at the entrance to the Taj Mahal.

The mausoleum of the Taj Mahal, located in Agra, is one of the most recognizable sights not only in India, but throughout the world. The construction was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died during childbirth. The Taj Mahal is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in the world, as well as a symbol eternal love. In this article I will tell you about the history of this miracle, as well as about the most interesting facts and events associated with it.

Taj Mahal is the most outstanding example of Mughal architecture, combining elements of Persian, Islamic and Indian architectural styles. In 1983, the Taj Mahal was included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is essentially an integrated complex of structures, the central and iconic component of which is a white domed marble mausoleum. Construction began in 1632 and was completed in 1653, and day and night, thousands of artisans and craftsmen worked to create this miracle. A council of architects worked on the construction, but the main one was Ustad Ahmad Lahauri

Let's start from the very beginning, namely with what inspired the emperor to build such a miracle. In 1631, grief befell Emperor Shah Jahan, the ruler of the Mughal Empire at the height of its power. His third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, died while giving birth to their 14th child. A year later, construction began, which Shah Jahan decided on, driven by his irrepressible grief and strong love for his dead wife.

The main mausoleum was completed in 1648 and the surrounding buildings and garden were completed 5 years later. Let us proceed to the description of each of the structural elements of the complex in detail.

Mausoleum Taj Mahal

The tomb is the architectural center of the Taj Mahal complex. This huge, white marble structure stands on a square plinth and consists of a symmetrical building with an arched opening, topped by a large dome. Like most Mughal tombs, the main elements here are of Persian origin.

Inside the mausoleum are two tombs - the shah and his beloved wife. The height of the building is 74 meters, including the platform, and there are 4 minarets in the corners, slightly tilted to the side. This was done so that in the event of a fall, they would not damage the central building.

The marble dome that adorns the tomb is the most breathtaking part of the Taj Mahal. Its height is 35 meters. Due to its special shape, it is often called an onion dome. The shape of the dome is emphasized by four smaller domed figures placed at the corners of the tomb, which follow the onion shape of the main dome.

The domes are topped with gilded figures in the traditional Persian style. The crown of the main dome was originally made of gold, but in the 19th century it was replaced by a replica made of bronze. The crown is titled with a month in typical Islamic style, its horns point upwards.

The minarets, each 40 meters high, also display perfect symmetry. They were designed to act as a traditional element of mosques, calling the Islamic believer to prayer. Each minaret is divided into three equal parts by two working balconies encircling the tower. All decorative design elements of the minarets are also gilded.

Exterior
The exterior design of the Taj Mahal can undoubtedly be ranked among the best examples of world architecture. Since the surface of the structure is different in different areas, the decoration is chosen proportionally. The decorative elements were created using various paints, plasters, stone inlays and carvings. In accordance with the Islamic ban on the use of anthropomorphic forms, decorative elements are grouped into symbols, abstract forms and floral motifs.

Throughout the complex, passages from the Koran are also used as decorative elements. At the gate at the entrance to park complex The Taj Mahal has four verses from the 89th sura of the Koran "Dawn", addressed to the human soul:
“O thou soul at rest! Return to your Lord contented and satisfied! Enter with My servants. Enter My Paradise!"

Abstract forms are used throughout, especially in plinths, minarets, gates, mosques, and even on tomb surfaces. At the lower levels of the tomb, realistic marble figures of flowers and vines are applied. All these images are polished and inlaid with stones such as yellow marble, jasper and jade.

Interior

The interior of the Taj Mahal goes far from traditional decorative elements. used inside a large number of precious and semi-precious stones, and inner hall- an ideal octagon, which can be accessed from any side of the structure. However, only the south door on the garden side is used.
The inner walls are 25 meters high with a ceiling in the form of an inner dome adorned with the sun. Eight large arches divide the interior space into proportional parts. Four central arches form balconies and viewing platforms with a viewing window carved in marble. In addition to these windows, light also enters through special openings at the corners of the roof. Like the outside, everything inside is decorated with bas-reliefs and inlays.

Muslim tradition forbids the decoration of graves. Consequently, the bodies of Mumtaz and Shah Jahan were placed in a simple crypt, with their faces turned towards Mecca. Both the base and the coffin itself are carefully inlaid with precious stones. The calligraphic inscriptions on the tombstone praise Mumtaz. The rectangular rhombus on the lid of her tomb was supposedly designed to be written on. The cenotaph of Shah Jahan is located next to Mumtaz, and is the only asymmetric element in the entire complex, as it was completed later. It is larger than the wife's coffin, but decorated with the same elements.

Shah Jahan's tomb bears a calligraphic inscription that reads: "He set off on a journey from this world to the abode of Eternity on the night of the twenty-sixth day, the month of Rajab, 1076."

Taj Mahal Gardens
Go to description magnificent garden adjacent to architectural complex. The Mughal garden is 300 meters long. The architects came up with raised paths that divide each of the 4 parts of the garden into 16 deepened beds. The water channel in the center of the park is lined with marble, with a reflecting pond located in the middle, between the tomb and the gate. It reflects the image of the tomb. The emperor was inspired to create a garden after seeing the same luxuries from the Persian sheikhs. The Taj Mahal garden is unusual in that the main element, the mausoleum, is located at the end of the garden. Early sources describe a garden with an abundance of vegetation, including exquisite varieties of roses, daffodils, hundreds of fruit trees. But over time, the Mughal empire weakened, and there was no one to guard the gardens. During the reign british empire the landscaping of the garden was modified, and it began to resemble an ordinary lawn in the center of London

adjoining buildings
The Taj Mahal complex is bounded on three sides by jagged red sandstone walls, while the side that runs along the river is left open. Outside the walls of the central structure, there are several additional mausoleums where the rest of Jahan's wives are buried, as well as a large grave of Mumtaz's beloved servant. These structures are built of red sandstone, typical of the tombs of the Mughal era. Nearby is the Musical House, which is now used as a museum. The main gate is a monumental structure built of marble. Its archways follow the shape of those of the tomb, and the arches are decorated with the same elements as the tomb. All elements are carefully planned from a geometric point of view

At the far end of the complex are two large buildings from the same red sandstone, located on both sides of the tomb. They are absolutely identical, the building on the left was used as a mosque, and the identical building on the right was built for symmetry, but may have been used as a boarding house. These buildings were completed in 1643.



History of the construction of the Taj Mahal
Here I will talk about interesting facts from the history of the construction of the complex. The Taj Mahal was built on a piece of land south of the city of Agra. Shah Jahan gave Maharaja Jai ​​Singh Grand Palace in the center of Agra in exchange for this land. Large-scale earthworks were carried out on the territory of the complex. A huge pit was dug and filled with mud to reduce the flow of the soil. The site itself was raised 50 meters above the river level. When constructing the foundation of the tomb, deep wells were dug, which were filled with rubble for drainage and foundation support. Instead of scaffolding from bamboo, the workers built huge brick pillars surrounding the tomb - this greatly facilitated further work. Later, it took years to dismantle these scaffolds - they were so huge. In order to speed up this process, Shah Jahan allowed the peasants to use these bricks for their needs.

A fifteen-kilometer trench was dug in the ground to transport marble and other materials to the construction site. Bundles of 20-30 oxen pulled large blocks on specially designed carts. A system of special reservoirs was built to supply water from the river to the canal and to the complex itself. The pedestal and tomb of the Taj Mahal were built in 12 years, while the rest of the complex took another 10 years to complete. The total cost of construction was approximately 32 million rupees at that time.

For the construction of the complex, materials from all over Asia were used. More than a thousand elephants were used for transportation. In total, twenty-eight types of precious and semi-precious stones were set in white marble. 20 thousand workers from northern India were involved in the construction. Most likely they did the hardest work in slave conditions, since even today people in India work as slaves - for example, the article "Child Labor in India". Sculptors from Bukhara, calligraphers from Syria and Persia, stone carvers from Balochistan, Turkey, Iran were also involved.

Shortly after the completion of the Taj Mahal, Shah Jahan was overthrown by his own son Aurangzeb and arrested at the Delhi Fort. After his death, he was buried in a mausoleum next to his beloved wife. By the end of the 19th century, parts of the building fell into disrepair. The Taj Mahal was looted by British soldiers and officials who carved precious materials from the walls of the building. Then Lord Curzon conceived a large-scale reconstruction, which ended in 1908. At the same time, the famous garden was also modified, giving the lawns a British style.

In 1942, the government erected scaffolding in an attempt to disguise the Taj Mahal from attack by Luftwaffe and Japanese airmen. air force. The same action was taken during the India-Pakistan Wars of 1965 and 1971. This had an effect, and the structure remained unharmed.

Currently, the complex is threatened by environmental pollution. Due to the pollution of the Jumna River, there is a threat of its shallowing and soil erosion. Cracks began to appear in the walls of the tomb, and the mausoleum began to subside. Due to air pollution, the building began to lose its whiteness, a yellow coating appeared, which has to be cleaned every year. The Government of India is taking urgent measures to shut down hazardous industries in Agra and expand the protected area, but this has not yet had an effect.

The Taj Mahal is India's top tourist attraction, attracting between 2 and 4 million tourists annually, more than 200,000 of them from abroad. There is a special entry price for Indian citizens, many times lower than for foreigners. The complex brings a lot of money to the state treasury, replenishing the budget. Most tourists visit the complex from October, during the cooler season. Due to measures to protect nature, buses are not allowed here, from special remote parking lots, an electric tram brings tourists

The Taj Mahal is included in the list of the New Seven Wonders of the World, as a result of a worldwide vote held in 2007. The monument is open to the public from 6:00 to 19:00 weekdays, with the exception of Friday, when prayers are held in the mosque. For security reasons, only water in transparent bottles, small video cameras, photo cameras, Cell phones and small handbags

Real art means something that helps you to be meditative. Gurdjieff called real art objective art, it helps you to meditate. The Taj Mahal is a real art. It's worth going there.
I would like to tell the story of how the Taj Mahal came into existence.
One person came from Shiraz, Iran. His name was Shirazi because he came from Shiraz. He was a great artist, the most famous in Shiraz. And he was a wonderful person. Before he appeared in India, there were a thousand and one stories about him. The emperor was Shah Jahan; he heard about these stories. He invited the sculptor to the court. Shirazi was a Sufi mystic.
Shah Jahan asked him:
“I heard that you can sculpt the entire body of a man or woman just by touching their hand and not seeing their faces. This is true?
“Give me one chance,” Shirazi replied, “on one condition. Place twenty-five beautiful women from your palace behind the curtain. Let me touch their hands from behind the curtain. I will touch their hands and choose one, but with one condition. Whomever I choose, I will make a statue of her; if the statue is absolutely true, and you and your entire court are satisfied, then this woman will be mine. I want to marry her, I want a woman from your palace.
Shah Jahan was ready. He said:
- I agree.

Twenty-five beautiful slave girls were placed behind the curtain. He went from one to twenty-five and rejected them all. Just for fun, Shah Jahan's daughter, standing behind the curtain when all twenty-five were rejected, held out her hand. He touched her hand, closed his eyes, felt something and said:
- Here's my hand.
And he put a ring on his hand as a sign that, if successful, she would be his wife.
The Shah looked behind the curtain and was horrified: “What has this girl done?” But he didn't worry because it was almost impossible to make a sculpture of a woman just by touching her hand.
Shirazi disappeared into his room for three months. He worked day and night. After three months, he invited the emperor, and the whole court and the emperor could not believe their eyes. She looked exactly like her! He did it. The emperor did not find a single flaw - he wanted to find a flaw, because he did not want his daughter to marry a poor man, but now there was no way out: he gave his word.
He was alarmed, and his wife became so alarmed that she fell ill. She was pregnant, and while giving birth to a child, she died in agony. Her name was Mumtaj Mahal. And the king was in despair - how to save his daughter? He asked the sculptor to come and told him the whole story.
— It was a mistake. The girl is to blame for everything, but look at my situation: my wife died, and she died because she could not agree that her daughter should marry a poor man. And I also cannot agree, although I gave my word.
The sculptor said:
- Nothing to worry about. You should have told me right away; I will return to Shiraz. Don't worry. Forget it!
“But that is impossible,” said the king, “I cannot forget. I gave you my word. Wait. Let me think.
The Prime Minister suggested:
- Do this thing: your wife is dead, this is a great artist, and he proved it. Have him make a copy in memory of your wife. You must create a beautiful grave, the most beautiful in the world. And make it a condition that if you approve this copy, you will have to give your daughter to him in marriage. If you don't approve, it's all over.
This was discussed with the artist, and he agreed.
“And I,” thought the king, “will never approve.”
And Shirazi made many copies, and they were so beautiful, but still the king persisted and said, "No, no, no." The First Minister was in despair because these copies were of rare beauty and it was unfair to reject them. And he spread the word, making sure it got to the sculptor, that the girl he had chosen was very sick. She was sick for a week, she got worse a week later, and in the third week she died - according to rumors. When word reached the sculptor that the girl had died, he made his last copy. The girl died - his heart was broken. And this was the last copy. He brought it to the king, and he approved of it. The trick was that the girl was ill and there was no more talk of him marrying her.
This copy became the Taj Mahal. This copy was created by a Sufi mystic. How could he create the whole image of a woman just by touching her arm? He must have been in some other space. He must have been out of his mind at the time. This moment was to be a moment of great meditation. In that moment, he touched the energy, and just by feeling the energy, he recreated the whole image.
Now it's much easier to understand it logically thanks to Kirlian photography, because every energy has its own pattern. Your face is not accidental; your face is like that because you have a certain pattern of energy. Your eyes, your hair, your color - it's all because you have a certain personal pattern of energy.
Meditators have been working on energy patterns for centuries. Once you know the energy pattern, you know the whole personality. You know it through and through, all of it, because energy creates everything. You know the past, you know the present, you know the future. Once the energy pattern is understood, you have the key, understanding everything that has happened to you and what will happen. This is objective art. This man created the Taj Mahal.
As you meditate on the Taj Mahal on a full moon night, your heart begins to throb with new love. The Taj Mahal still carries the energy of love. Mumtaj Mahal died for the love of her daughter; Shah Jahan suffered because of love; and Shirazi created this model because he suffered deeply, because he was deeply hurt, because his future was dark. The woman he had chosen was no more. Out of great love and meditativeness, the Taj Mahal came into existence. It still carries that vibration.

In 1612, a descendant of Tamerlane, Prince Khurram (Shah Jahan) married Mumtaz Mahal. The prince was delighted with the beauty of Mumtaz Mahal, the wedding could only be held with a favorable arrangement of the stars, this moment had to wait five years, while their meetings were impossible.

In 1628, Shah Jahan began to rule India, everyone noted the very tender and close relationship between the Sultan and his wife, despite the presence of a large harem. This was the only person whom the ruler completely trusted, he even took his wife to accompany military campaigns, because he did not want to be without her for a long time.

A year later, Shah Jahan's reign, in the 17th year of their marriage, his beloved wife died during the birth of their 14th child. The Sultan lost a loved one, best friend and wise adviser. For two years, the Sultan wore mourning, and his hair became completely gray with grief. A new impetus to the continuation of life was his oath to build a unique tomb monument worthy of his wife, which later became a symbol of their love.

Construction

In 1632, the Taj Mahal was laid, which lasted more than 20 years. The city of Agra was chosen, at that time the economic and social center of India. Shah Jahan recruited more than 20,000 of the best craftsmen and workers in India and Asia. For the construction of a grandiose monument, the best materials were purchased. The mausoleum was built of white marble, using a record number of precious and semi-precious stones for decoration and interior decoration. The doors were made of silver, the parapet was of gold, and the tomb of Mumtaz Mahal was covered with a cloth studded with pearls.

In 1803 the tomb was plundered by Lord Lake, 44 tons of gold were taken out, many precious stones were taken out of the walls. Lord Curzon, having come to power, passed laws that saved the Taj Mahal from complete plunder. In 1653, the Sultan began the construction of a second mausoleum, an exact copy of the Taj Mahal, only from black marble. Construction could not be completed, the country was exhausted from internal wars. In 1658, Shah Jahan was overthrown by one of his sons, and was kept under arrest for 9 years. They buried Shah Jahan in the same crypt with his beloved wife in the Taj Mahal.

Structural features

Taj Mahal is in the center big park, which can be entered through the gate, which symbolizes the entrance to paradise. In front of the mausoleum large swimming pool from marble. The building itself looks weightless, despite its impressive size (75 meters high). It is a symmetrical octagonal building topped by a large white dome. Mumtaz Mahal was buried in a dungeon, exactly under a dome resembling a flower bud. When measuring the building, a clear symmetry and many interesting geometric coincidences were revealed.

What is the most popular attraction that comes to people's mind when they are asked about India? That's right, this is the legendary and shrouded in secrets Taj Mahal. He is a real symbol of this country, however, unofficial.

What does it represent

Taj Mahal is a whole mausoleum and at the same time a mosque, which is located in the city of Agra, in India, in the state of Uttar Pradesh. This building is rightfully classified as one of the best masterpieces of world architecture.

At the same time, the Taj Mahal is a real monument of eternal love for a beautiful woman, but more on that later.

Since 1983, the mausoleum-mosque has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered the best representative architecture of Indian Muslims. Due to the fact that the shrine is located in a place where it has not been damaged by earthquakes and other natural disasters throughout its existence, it has retained its original appearance and now looks the same as immediately after construction.

A large-scale restoration of the object was carried out at the beginning of the 20th century, and in 2002 it had to be somewhat refreshed and updated. appearance the mausoleum, because due to the heavy pollution of the city, it began to look dull and ugly. After this renovation of the facades, a ban on travel near the Taj Mahal was issued (only ecological transport is allowed within a few hundred meters).

History of creation

Probably, today almost everyone knows that the Taj Mahal was rebuilt during the reign of Shah Jahan in memory of his love for his third legal wife, Mumtaz Mahal. And it all started like this...

In 1612, not yet being a great shah, but calling himself Prince Khurram, the future ruler of India takes a 19-year-old girl from a poor family as his legal wife, guided only by a feeling of love for her.

In 1628, Prince Khurram ascended the throne and became the great Shah Jahan. During his life and reign, he had a huge harem, as befits a great ruler, but, as travelers and noble people of that time note, he only loved his wife, and she, in turn, reciprocated. Mumtaz Mahal became the ruler not only a faithful wife, but also the best adviser and escort in all battles and campaigns.

They lived in marriage for 19 short, but very happy years, after which fate decided that this union should end. During their life together, the spouses had 13 children, but Mumtaz did not survive 14 births and died in 1631. At that time, she was 38 years old, which was considered a fairly respectable age for her era, and frequent childbirth wore out the female body so much that few could boast of a longer life. This event, tragic for the whole of India, took place in a military camp near Burhanpur, which was set up in this place when returning from a victorious campaign against the city of Deccan. The death of his wife affected Jahan so much that he even had thoughts of suicide. The city of Dean kindly accepted the body of the adored wife of the Shah, but after about six months, having not recovered from his grief, Jahan decided to build a mausoleum for his beloved woman.

Why was the city of Agra chosen for construction? Everything is quite simple and quite logical: at that time, Agra, like Delhi, had the status of a capital policy, and was also considered one of the most developed cities in the country.

The Taj Mahal took 22 long years to build. It is believed that the main building was erected during the first 8 years of construction. About 20 thousand workers of Asian origin, as well as the best architects and stone specialists from Europe, were involved in the realization of the ruler's great idea. Ustad Isa Khan was appointed the chief architect (some sources say so, but this is not known for certain). He fully justified his trust and received unlimited opportunities in the construction of this mausoleum.

Construction ended only in 1653. Shortly before the completion of the construction of the Taj Mahal, Jahan was dethroned by his son and imprisoned in Agra. Here he stayed until his death, watching from the window of his dungeon at the mausoleum of the dearest Mumtaz Mahal, erected on his orders.

In 1666, Shah Jahan was buried next to his wife in the walls of the Taj Mahal. So his son ordered, saying that his father loved his mother so much, so he should be buried next to her.

Location

Taj Mahal is located in a very picturesque place. On three sides, the building is surrounded by a beautiful, green and very well-groomed park zone, once planned in such a way that it is a road to the main Indian shrine, in the middle part of which there is a water channel.

On the fourth side flows the Jumna River and nothing should obscure here beautiful architecture from the eyes of the people. True, the river in this place is very rarely calm, so it is almost impossible to see the reflection of the building in it. This further complements the illusion of the unreality of the architectural object, which decorates and praises the city of Agra.

Today, many travelers come early in the morning to the opposite bank of the Jamna to see the Taj Mahal as if in a soaring state through the morning mist. The spectacle is truly amazing, especially since with the sunrise you can constantly observe the ongoing color changes and the play of sunlight on the walls of the mosque.

Architecture

The whole complex consists of five separate buildings:

- darvaza (main gate to the shrine);

- bageecha (garden around buildings);

- masjid (mosque);

- nakkar zana (rest house);

- Rauza (the building of the mausoleum, where the sarcophagi with the relics of the Shah and his wife, as well as some other relatives and family members are located).

The architecture of the Taj Mahal includes a harmonious combination of seemingly incongruous design styles: Persian, Islamic, Central Asian and European.

Among the main attractions of the complex are four minarets (one for each corner of the mausoleum) 40 meters high, the dome of the main building, as well as a chess marble floor.

The mausoleum at first glance seems mystical place: present everywhere optical illusions capable of making people believe in miracles. What are the suras of the Koran that seem the same and easy to read, no matter how far from the floor they are. The walls of the building are made of translucent white marble, on which flowers and patterns adorned with precious stones are carved. If you start looking at the drawings and details, you will see all the uniqueness and unsurpassed craftsmanship of those who created this masterpiece: for example, some elements are encrusted with precious stones up to 3 cm in diameter, but if you do not peer, you may not even notice this.

The main gate is already a masterpiece of architectural thought of that time. If you look at the whole complex from afar through them, then a beautiful frame is created for the whole picture with the Taj Mahal in the very heart.

On both sides of the central building of the mausoleum there is a mosque (in the west) and a guest house (in the east). If the first was built consciously and was originally intended to be erected, then the second structure was created only in order to ensure absolute symmetry of the entire building.

The building of the tomb itself is located in the central part of a slightly raised marble platform. Such an arrangement had its own sacred meaning: "only the sky can be higher than you." Each corner of the mausoleum is decorated with a 40-meter minaret. Today they are somewhat tilted, but it is not known for certain whether this was the original idea or whether it happened over time. It is possible that the minarets were located in such a way that in the event of an earthquake of destructive power, they would not fall on the building of the mausoleum.

Myths and legends of the Taj Mahal

1. Hindu temple.

There is a theory that the current mausoleum is not a tribute to the memory of Mumtaz Mahal, but a real Shiva temple that was erected in the 12th century. After that, he took in the body of the wife of Shah Jahan. This theory belongs to Purushottam Nagesh Ouk, who, as proof of his words, asked to open the basement rooms of the building, but in 2000 the country's Supreme Court rejected his request. This person also claims that Stonehenge and the Kaaba are also of Hindu origin.

1. Black copy.

There is a story that Shah Jahan, during his lifetime, planned to complement the white marble Taj Mahal with his black counterpart on the opposite side of the Jamna and even began work on its construction. Large-scale excavations have not confirmed this theory.

1. Elimination of builders and craftsmen.

A completely wild assumption is found in some sources where the story of the Taj Mahal is going on: after the completion of this large-scale construction, Jahan ordered to gouge out the eyes and cut off the hands of all the craftsmen who worked on its creation so that they could never repeat such a masterpiece. Historically and documented, this has not been confirmed in any way.

1. Changing the angle of the Taj Mahal.

Some scientists recently argued that due to the drying up of the Jumna River, the structure began to lean somewhat towards the channel. Archaeologists and experts in India carried out large-scale work and refuted these data, pointing out that the fluctuations in the height of the building are insignificant, and no changes in the structure of the soil under the mausoleum have been established.

Information for tourists

Everyone who plans to visit the Taj Mahal should know that it is open to tourists from 06.00 to 19.00 daily, except for Friday (this day is allocated for the Friday service in the mosque).

Two days before the full moon and two days after it, the mausoleum is open until midnight so that tourists can admire the shrine in the moonlight.

Entrance for adults will cost about $ 12, and children under 15 years old can visit the Taj Mahal for free.

Photo and video shooting with professional equipment is prohibited, but due to the popularity of SLR cameras and camcorders, they are not considered as such. Problems can only arise if you have a very large lens. Filming on the territory of the Taj Mahal is paid.

Despite the fact that the city of Agra is located 200 kilometers from the capital of India, communication between them is very well established due to the large flow of tourists that pass this route every day.