On July 7, 2007, in Lisbon (Portugal), the new seven wonders of the world were named and the Taj Mahal mausoleum-mosque was included in this list. It is located in Agra (India) near the Jamna River. The easiest way to get to the Taj Mahal Palace is to fly to Delhi by plane and from there take a bus, taxi or train to your destination. The journey by train takes up to 3 hours, by taxi 3-5 hours. It is considered a crime if you visit India and do not see the Taj Mahal Mosque.
It is simply impossible to describe the splendor and beauty of this mosque in words. This is a truly fabulous and beautiful architectural structure that combines elements of Islamic, Persian and Indian architectural styles.
The emergence of the Taj Mahal is the story of the tender love of Shah Jahan, the Mughal king, for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. While still a prince, Shah Jahan took a 19-year-old girl as his wife, and his love for her was boundless. Despite owning a large harem, he gave all his tenderness and attention to only one Mumtaz. She bore him 14 children, six girls and eight boys. But during the last birth, Jahan's wife died. Shah Jahan's grief was so great that he lost the meaning of life, turned gray, declared 2 years of mourning and even wanted to commit suicide.
On the orders of Shah Jahan, the beautiful Taj Mahal palace was built over the grave of his wife, in which he himself was buried a few years later near the grave of his wife. The Taj Mahal is not just a wonder of the world, it is a symbol of the eternal love of two people. Shah Jahan promised before his wife's death to create a monument that would convey all the beauty of Mumtaz.
Construction and architecture of the Taj Mahal
History does not answer the question of who built this mosque. The fact is that in the Islamic world of that period all construction ideas were attributed not to the architect, but to the customer. A group of architects worked on the mosque, but the main idea belongs to Ustad Ahmad Lakhauri. Construction of the palace began in December 1631. The construction of the central mausoleum ended in 1648, and 5 years later the construction of the entire complex was completed. Over the course of 22 years, about 20 thousand people took part in the construction of the Taj Mahal. More than a thousand elephants were used to transport materials that were delivered from India and Asia. The blocks of marble were pulled by bulls along a specially built 15-kilometer ramp made of compacted earth. Sculptors from Bukhara, stonemasons from Baluchistan, masters of inlay from southern India, calligraphers from Persia and Syria, as well as specialists and craftsmen in cutting marble ornaments and erecting towers worked at the construction site.
The Taj Mahal is considered the “pearl of Muslim art in India.” The most famous component of the palace is its white marble dome, which is also called the onion dome due to its appearance. Its height is 35 meters. Its crown is made in the Islamic style (the moon's horns point upward) and was originally made of gold, but was replaced with a bronze copy in the 19th century.
The height of the mosque itself is 74 meters and is represented by a five-domed structure with four minarets in the corners. The minarets are slightly inclined in the direction opposite to the tomb, so as not to damage it during destruction. The building is adjacent to a garden with a swimming pool and fountains. Inside the mausoleum there are two tombs, which are located strictly above the burial place of the Shah and his wife. The walls of the palace are made of marble inlaid with gems (carnelian, agate, malachite, turquoise, etc.). And in the rays of light the walls are simply mesmerizing. In sunny weather, marble looks white, on a moonlit night it turns silver, and at dawn it turns pink.
The exterior of the Taj Mahal is considered one of the best examples of architecture. Various plasters, paints, carvings and stone inlays were used to create decorative elements of the mosque. Also, excerpts from the Koran were used for the decorative and artistic design of the complex. On the gate of the Taj Mahal is written: “O you, resting soul! Return to your Lord satisfied and having achieved contentment! Come in with My servants. Enter My Paradise!
A huge number of semi-precious and precious stones were used in the interior of the palace. The interior hall of the Taj Mahal is a perfect octagon. The height of the walls is 25 meters, and the ceiling is decorated in the shape of the sun and is represented by an internal dome.
The only asymmetrical element of the complex is the cenotaph of Shah Jahan, which is located near the grave of his wife. It was completed later and is larger in size than Mumtaz's cenotaph, but decorated with the same decorative elements. On Mumtaz's tombstone there are calligraphic inscriptions that praise her, and on Jahan's tomb it is written: "He set out on a journey from this world to the abode of Eternity on the night of the twenty-sixth day, the month of Rajab 1076."
The architectural complex is adjacent to a magnificent garden, which extends 300 meters in length. In the center of the park there is a water channel, which is lined with marble and in the middle of it there is a pond. It reflects the image of the tomb. Initially, the garden amazed with its abundance of vegetation, but over time the landscaping of the garden changed.
Myths and legends
There is a legend that Shah Jahan wanted to build an exact copy of a palace made of black marble on the opposite bank of the river, but did not have time. There is also a myth that the emperor brutally killed the architects and craftsmen who took part in the construction of the palace, and all the builders signed an agreement in which they agreed not to take part in the construction of such a structure. But to date, such information has not been confirmed by anything and remains just fiction and legend.
Tourism
Millions of tourists visit the Taj Mahal every year. different countries. Tourists are interested in the fact about its optical focus. If you move backwards towards the exit, respectively, facing the palace, you get the feeling that the mausoleum is simply huge against the backdrop of trees and environment. And by the way, planes are prohibited from flying over the Taj Mahal. The mosque is open to the public from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays, except Fridays, when prayers are held there. The Taj Mahal is also open for night viewing on the day of the full moon, including two days before and after the full moon, except Friday and the month of Ramadan.
The Taj Mahal in India is located near Agra. In its external majestic appearance, it resembles a temple, but in fact it is a mausoleum built in honor of the second wife of Shah Jahan - Mumtaz Mahal (otherwise known as Arjumand Bano Begum).
History and Legends of Mumtaz Mahal
Translated, Taj Mahal means Crown of the Mughals. For some time it was also called Taj Bibi-ka-Rauza or the burial place of the queen of the heart. According to an old legend, Prince Guram, the future Shah Jahan, once saw a poor girl in the market. Looking into her eyes, he immediately decided to take her as his wife. So at the age of 19, Arjumand Bano Begum acquired the status of the second wife of Prince Guram. Guram had many other wives and concubines, but it was Mumtaz who won the heart of the future ruler for a long time.
Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal
During the conquest of the throne, Mumtaz became the prince's most faithful companion. But the struggle was serious: the prince was opposed by his brothers, and besides, he had to hide from his own father Jahangir. But still, in 1627, Guram managed to seize the throne and receive the status of Shah Jahan - the ruler of the world.
Mumtaz occupied an important place in the life of the government. Shah Jahan organized various receptions and feasts in her honor. Mumtaz was present at all important state ceremonies, she was listened to even at state councils.
Specific facts about Mumtaz's life and death different sources get confused, which over time made them a legend. So Mumtaz gave birth to nine or thirteen children, and died in 1636 or 1629. The reason is also confused - according to one of them she fell ill, according to the other she died during childbirth. Much comes down to the fact that this event occurred during the return with victory from the Deccan. Legend also says that before her death, Mumtaz asked her husband to build a tomb equal to their love.
History of the creation of the mausoleum
Initially, the queen was buried in Burkhan-Nur, where she died. Six months later, her remains were brought to Agra. And on the anniversary of his death, Shah Jahan began construction of the mausoleum. The best architects of the East took part in the project competition. All the masters were surpassed by the architect Usto Isa Khan Effendi from Shiraz. The emperor as a whole liked his project very much, and was only partially changed later.
It took 22 years for 20 thousand people to build this landmark of India. The tomb itself was surrounded by a wall made of red sandstone. In front of the Taj Mahal mausoleum, a huge courtyard was built for the future garden. According to one of beautiful legends on the opposite side of the Jamna River, the ruler began the construction of another mausoleum of the same shape, but made of black marble, for himself. Shah Jahan's love for symmetry is visible in this legend and in the general architecture of the building. The construction of an anti-copy of the mausoleum was not destined to come true - his son Aurangzeb intercepted the throne and imprisoned his father in the Red Fort. This is how Shah Jahan spent his last years lived under house arrest and died in 1666.
According to his father's will, Aurangzeb transfers his body to the Taj Mahal to his wife. Many other wives of Shah Jahan, as well as some family members and their associates, were also buried here.
The Taj Mahal is truly a very beautiful building. No description, photo or video can convey the true beauty of this structure. The architecture of the building conveys a mixture of Indian, Persian and Islamic architecture. The fortress walls are framed at the corners by pavilion towers. In the center rises the tomb building itself in iridescent colors depending on the lighting. At night it appears dazzlingly white, and when the river is in flood, all this beauty is evenly reflected in its flow.
The building is surrounded on three sides by a park. The façade of the palace is made up of a marble portal flanked on either side by two domed towers. Along the central axis of the mausoleum in front of the facade there is an irrigation canal divided by a pool. There are paths from the pool towards the four minarets, to which access has been closed due to suicide cases.
The feeling of lightness of the building from afar is reinforced by its decoration upon closer examination. So the walls are painted with a subtle pattern, the marble blocks are inlaid with gems that shimmer in the light. It seems that this building was erected quite recently. It is not surprising that according to another legend, Shah Jahan ordered the hands of the architect to be cut off so that he could not repeat this.
Two side staircases lead to the second floor of the tomb, where open terraces lie under a huge dome rising to a height of 74 meters. Niches are carved into the facade of the building, which further enhances the feeling of weightlessness of the building. Entering through the facade passage, you can see a spacious hall, in the center of which there are two white marble sarcophagi.
Sarcophagi
The walls of the building are decorated with stone mosaics. They are woven into many plants, garlands of flowers, letters. The vaults of the arches are painted with fourteen suras from the Koran.
Indian Taj Mahal, the most famous monument love, which has long become a symbol of this country. It is one of the most popular attractions among tourists, perceived as eternal story love in stone.
This grandiose mausoleum is called a monument to immortal love, and for many centuries everyone has been concerned about its romantic history of creation. Recognized as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, the Taj Mahal has been protected by UNESCO since 1983. The most famous thing in India, which has no analogues in the whole world, characterizes the entire era of the reign of the emperor.
The sadness and tenderness expressed in the stone make all travelers stop in admiration before the majestic masterpiece of art, telling about amazing love.
History of creation
The Taj Mahal is a white marble mausoleum located in the city of Agra. It was erected by order of the grandson of the country's ruler Shah Jahan, who dreamed of fulfilling the will of his wife who died during childbirth.
They are all tested, including eternity. It is surprising that historical chronicles record the tender and romantic relationship between the ruler and his wife, whom the emperor affectionately called Taj Mahal, which translated means “the pride of the palace.” This is very rare for Muslims, because strong love Most often they manifest themselves towards God and their homeland, but not towards a woman.
Ancient legends
A beautiful legend says that after the tragic death of his beloved, the emperor did not leave his chambers for a week, and when his subjects saw their master, they did not recognize him: he had aged several years and turned gray. Shah Jahan renounced the throne, indulging in intense grief for his wife who had left forever.
True, there is also a less romantic version, which says that the ruler was overthrown by his own son, explaining his behavior by the fact that his father’s grandiose projects were ruining the country. But this is no longer very important for posterity, because the value of a world-famous monument is not diminished by this.
Oath fulfilled
Shah Jahan remembered how the mother of his children once asked him to build a beautiful palace. The ruler, distraught with grief, vowed to build the most luxurious tomb in the world. In memory of his wife, large-scale construction of a majestic structure began.
Thus, thanks to official records made by subjects of the Muslim king, we became aware of official history creation. The Taj Mahal is considered one of the most expensive buildings in the world, on which huge amounts of money were spent.
The rest of his life spent in prison
There is another legend about the emperor’s desire to build a second similar structure, but he did not have time to do this. And all that was left for him after he was overthrown by his own son was for the rest of his life to look sadly from the small window of the dungeon at the stone work of art that became the tomb of his departed wife.
A masterpiece of world art
The construction of the Taj Mahal, the photo of which only slightly conveys the grandeur and scale of the work of world art, began in 1632. More than 20 thousand workers, gathered from all over the country, took part in the construction. Few people know about their further fate, but, according to legend, so that the craftsmen would not tell anyone the secrets of constructing the mausoleum, they were all executed after finishing the work.
The plot of land on which the luxurious palace was built did not belong to the emperor, but he exchanged it from a subject to build a monument to his love. The builders filled deep wells with a special solution and stones to protect the structure from collapse due to the proximity of groundwater, and raised the foundation by 50 meters. Marble blocks were placed at the base for special reliability.
Long-term construction
The phased construction of the Taj Mahal in the city of Agra (India) took more than 12 years. Especially for the cladding of the mausoleum, the purest marble was brought on elephants from one province of the empire, and the construction of other structures from it was strictly prohibited.
To feed the workers, who tirelessly built the luxurious monument day and night, grain was brought to them, intended to be sent to the provinces, and a terrible famine began in the country, which led to an unstable financial situation.
Visual effects
It is interesting that the Taj Mahal, the photo of which evokes a sense of admiration even in the most indifferent person to architecture, was designed taking into account optical illusions that were very unusual for that time.
To get to the palace, you first need to go through the arch leading to the heritage of world culture. And here an interesting visual effect arises: as you approach it, the building seems to move away. The same thing happens when leaving the arch, when it seems that the Taj Mahal somehow becomes much closer than before.
Another one optical illusion, which misleads visitors: they think that the minarets located next to the mausoleum were built in parallel. In fact, they deviate slightly to the sides, and such a design was justified by protecting the palace in case of earthquakes. The huge towers would not have damaged the mausoleum, but fell next to it. Surprisingly, the seismically dangerous place escaped cataclysms.
Tombs under the mausoleum
There are lines in the Koran that say that the peace of a deceased person cannot be disturbed. Under the main dome of the mausoleum there is a tomb, which in fact is not one. Fearing that someone would dare disturb his beloved wife, the emperor ordered her to be buried in a secret hall located under a unique masterpiece. After the death of Shah Jahan, his remains found shelter next to his wife.
Jewelry box
The Indian Taj Mahal, combining several architectural styles, is amazingly beautiful from the inside. The walls of the luxurious halls are decorated using Italian technologies. Colorful patterns of gems make the mausoleum a real treasury storing valuables. Stones were delivered from various parts of the country, and even ambassadors came to Russia to purchase malachite, which was prized in the country.
Palace divided into two parts
Built in accordance with Islamic ideas about the afterlife, the famous Taj Mahal mausoleum is divided into two parts. The four courtyards of the caravanserai and the market streets refer to earthly existence, and the mausoleum itself and the Garden of Eden refer to the otherworldly. By the way, all income received from trade went to maintaining the palace.
It is believed that the arch in front of the mausoleum and the beautiful pond laid in the middle of the main path represent a person’s transition to another world.
Who is the author of the masterpiece?
Researchers cannot accurately name the architects of this amazing masterpiece. It is precisely established that foreigners did not take part in the design of the mausoleum. And some experts are sure that the ruler himself acted as the main author, because he was famous for his education and sense of style.
The architecture of the mausoleum expresses the basic principles of the era: strict lines and a symmetrical layout make the earthly building look like a heavenly palace.
Majestic complex
The complex itself consists of a tomb, mirrored four watchtowers - minarets, from the tops of which they rang, announcing the beginning of prayers. On the sides of the mausoleum there are two mosques made of compressed sand. A most The territory of the art monument is occupied by an amazing park with a pond, which reflects a perfect example of art. At the end of the green corridor, visitors are greeted by the luxurious Taj Mahal.
Color solution
The color design of the pearl also attracts attention. The buildings related to earthly life are made of fiery red sandstone, and the snow-white mausoleums symbolize the belief in life after death.
It's interesting to watch the play of light when Sun rays at dawn or dusk they paint the walls in delicate colors.
Contemporary issues
Thousands of tourists, for whom the masterpiece is a symbol of India, visit the Taj Mahal. The country is proud of its national heritage, and local authorities are very concerned about the preservation of the attraction for posterity. Unfortunately, architectural monument with a huge history, it settles and becomes covered with cracks.
The former capital of the Mughal Empire, Agra (India), is a densely populated city with a poor environmental situation. Polluted air causes marble to turn yellow, and periodically to improve appearance buildings, it is rubbed with white clay. In addition, the cladding also suffers from pigeons settling under the dome.
All visitors are carefully screened before entering. It is prohibited to bring lighters, cigarettes, food, Cell phones and even chewing gum. Therefore, it is not recommended to take these things with you.
On Fridays, tourists are prohibited from entering the Taj Mahal, as Muslims gather for prayers at the nearby mosque in Agra.
Symbol of immortality
Included in the list of new wonders of the world, the world masterpiece continues to excite minds with the special beauty of architectural lines and luxury of decoration, and creative people and all lovers are concerned about the sad story of creation.
The Taj Mahal is stunning at first sight, and every visitor touches eternity captured in marble. Having become a symbol of fidelity and immortality, the ancient landmark will remain forever in the memory, and the heart will retain unforgettable impressions of what it saw.
Taj Mahal, mausoleum of Sultan Shah Jahan and his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Architect Ustad Isa. 1630-1652
Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal Mausoleum is located in the city of Agra in northern India, in the state of Uttar Pradesh. It was created in a style later called “Mughal”, which combined the traditions of Indian, Persian and Arabic architecture. Actually, the mausoleum was the first building built in the new spirit. The Taj Mahal was built at the behest of Shah Jahan (1592-1666). the fifth ruler of the Mughal dynasty, as the burial place of his wife Arjumand and a monument to their love. Arjumand was the daughter of the minister Jangir and is better known by the titles Mumtaz Mahal (Chosen of the Palace) or Taj Mahal (Crown of the Palace).
Initially, the tomb was called Raoza Mumtaz Mahal or Taj Bibiha Raoza, which in Arabic means “tomb of the mistress of my heart.” Only later, during the time of the English colonization of India, the modern name of the Taj Mahal was assigned to the building.
Architect controversy
After the conquestexploration of India by the British, a number of scientists put forward hypotheses that the truecreatorThe tomb was designed by a European architect. Possibly ItalianGeronimo Veroneo, who worked at the court of Shah Jahan. Or Frenchjeweler AAugustine de Bordeaux, one of the creators of the Golden Throne of the Mughals.Opponentsthey are objected to: in the architecture of the structure and construction techniques there are noeuro tracespei technical achievements of that time, but everything is connectedbetter thanowned Indian, Persian and Arab architecture. Specificwaysstone treatments used in construction were known onlyeasternmasters. And domes like the dome of the Taj Mahal were erected in thatperiod lin Samarkand and Bukhara.
LOVE IN STONE
Shah Jahan's beloved wife died in childbirth in 1631 at the age of 38. The saddened emperor decided to perpetuate her memory in a previously unseen tomb. The ruler of one of the most powerful and richest countries of that time took full advantage of the opportunities
of his position. He sent messengers to all the architectural centers of the Islamic world: Istanbul, Baghdad, Samarkand, Damascus and Shiraz, convening the most famous architects of the East. At the same time, drawings and plans of all the famous buildings in Asia were brought to his order in Agra. The ruler wanted to erect a building, the equal or even the like of which did not exist in the world.
Many projects were considered. Perhaps this was the first architectural competition in history. As a result, Shah Jahan settled on the version of the young Shiraz architect Ustad Isa.
Then the actual preparation for construction began. Masons from Delhi and Kandahar, considered the best in India, came to Agra. Artists and calligraphers were hired in Persia and Baghdad, decoration was done by Bukharians and Delhiites, and skilled gardeners from Bengal were invited to create the landscape ensemble. The management of the work was entrusted to Ustad Isa, and his closest assistants were the prominent Turkish architect Hanrumi and the Samarkand resident Sharif, who created the magnificent domes of the mausoleum. Thus, the Mumtaz Mahal mausoleum combined all the best that the architecture and decorative arts of the East had achieved at that time.
TAJ MAHAL MUSEUM
In addition to the actual architectural complex of the mausoleum, on the territory of the Taj Mahal there is also a museum exhibition dedicated to the history of the Mughal dynasty. It presents a unique numismatic collection, art and everyday objects of the 16th-17th centuries. Along the walls of the museum there are gardens in the famous Mughal style - copies of the garden surrounding the mausoleum.
Ustad Isa took late Indian architecture as a basis, in particular the Humayun Mausoleum - the burial place of the first Mughals and members of their families. But at the same time he made considerable changes, abandoning, for example, his predilection for numerous columns (there are none at all in the Taj Mahal). According to court historian Abdul Hamid Lahori. construction began six months after the death of Mumtaz Mahal and lasted 12 years. In 1643, the central building of the tomb was completed.
Construction was completely completed in 1648, but, apparently, after
After this, finishing continued for several more years. In total, construction and finishing took 22 years. More than 20 thousand people simultaneously participated in the work, for whom a special town of Mumtazabad was built near Agra.
The main material was white marble, delivered on elephants from the quarries of Johapur - more than three hundred kilometers away. Inlays with precious and semi-precious stones were widely used in decoration. Here were Hindu Kush lapis lazuli, Chinese jade of all colors, Moonstone Deccan, Persian amethysts and turquoise, Tibetan carnelian, malachite imported from Russia. According to legend, “much more gold and silver than an elephant could carry away” was used for the inlays. Red sandstone and black marble were used for the main lines in the ornaments.
In order to raise materials to a greater height for the construction of the main dome, according to the design of the Turkish engineer Ismail Khan, a sloping earthen embankment 3.5 km long and almost 50 m high was built. On it, elephants could deliver marble blocks to the work site without interference. When Shah Jahan saw the completed mausoleum, he cried with admiration.
Despite its enormous size, the mausoleum looks weightless. In many ways, this effect is achieved thanks to the four minarets, which have a carefully planned deviation from the vertical axis. This was supposed to save the tomb from destruction by debris from the minarets in the event of an earthquake.
Soon, Shah Jahan wanted to build a similar mausoleum next to the Taj Mahal, but in black color - for himself.
However, this was not destined to come true. The emperor fell ill, and a war broke out in the country between his sons. Thanks to the support of the Muslim clergy, the younger one, the Islamic fanatic Aurangzeb, won, executing all his brothers and not even sparing his own father.
Shah Jahan spent the rest of his life in the casemate of the famous Red Fort of Agra, built by his great-grandfather Akbar, the founder of the dynasty. From there he had a view of the Taj Mahal - the last consolation of the captive. According to the chronicler Abdul Hamid Lahori, feeling the approach of death, the prisoner asked his jailers to bring him to the window and, looking at the tomb of his beloved wife, “sank into a deep, eternal sleep.” According to the will, he was buried next to Arjumand.
The proportions of the Taj Mahal were so perfect that even a legend was born that during its creation they resorted to magic and the help of otherworldly forces. Another legend says that at the end of the work, the architects' eyes were gouged out, and the craftsmen's hands were cut off so that they could not create anything like that again. Of course, this is a myth. On the contrary, both the architects and builders were generously rewarded, and in addition, their work was well paid throughout the construction of the mausoleum. Which, by the way, gave Shah Jahan’s enemies reason to claim that the construction of the Taj Mahal ruined the treasury of the empire. But this is not true either: at that moment the Mughal power was very rich and occupied almost the entire Hindustan. Simultaneously with the construction of the tomb, extensive irrigation work was carried out in Punjab and successful wars were waged with its neighbors.
BEAUTY AND TIME
Time and people have not been kind to the monument. Aurangzeb was the first to destroy it, seizing the golden lattice that surrounded the cenotaph of Mumtaz Mahal. Condemning his father for senseless waste, he himself built a semblance of the Taj Mahal south of Agra - for himself and his eldest wife. But the copy turned out to be very unsuccessful and almost unknown to the general public.
After Aurangzeb, the mausoleum was looted under Nadir Shah in 1739. Then the silver doors of the main hall were taken away, later replaced by bronze ones that still exist today. When the British army occupied Agra in 1803, the soldiers took about 200 kg of gold from the Taj Mahal and picked out many precious stones from its walls. Most of these treasures went to the East India Company.
Only at the end of the 19th century. By order of the Viceroy of India, Lord Curzon, the monument was taken under protection. Since then, his safety has been the concern of the Indian authorities - first the colonial ones, and after the declaration of independence - the national government. The leadership of the Department of Archaeological Surveys of India even achieved a ruling from the Supreme Court of the country to impose a ban on industrial activities in the vicinity of the Taj Mahal. Airplane flights are prohibited over the mausoleum so that vibration from the engines does not damage the unique monument.
Unfortunately, the normal functioning of the museum has been hampered by politics for several years now. Due to the activation of terrorist organizations in India, the security of the Taj Mahal had to be entrusted armed forces and intelligence agencies. The central pavilion of the mausoleum was closed to visitors back in 1984, after a clash between guards and militants occurred there. Since then, the Indian government has feared a repeat attack and has closely monitored the surrounding area. Ironically, the terrorist attacks against the Taj Mahal, built by one of India's greatest Muslim rulers, were planned and carried out by Islamic radicals.
Recently, the mausoleum has also been threatened by the forces of nature. Due to soil subsidence, changes in hydrological regime and several earthquakes, the foundations of the minarets have shifted, and only urgently Taken measures to strengthen the soil, they saved the miracle of architecture from destruction.
Mosaic panels on the walls of the Taj Mahal.
Inside, the walls of the Taj Mahal are decorated with mosaic images of fabulous trees and flowers. The thoughtful arrangement of windows makes the mausoleum literally transparent to sunlight and moonlight, and it requires almost no artificial lighting. In the center of the main hall there is an octagonal burial chamber topped with a low dome. Here, behind an openwork stone fence inlaid with precious stones, there are false tombs - cenotaphs. The real sarcophagi of Empress Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan are located in the dungeon exactly under the cenotaphs. These tombs are covered with fantastic floral designs from semi-precious stones.
The Taj Mahal is the pearl of world architecture. It is recognized as one of the most beautiful structures on Earth, and its silhouette is considered the unofficial symbol of India. In 1983, the Taj Mahal was included in the list of sites under the protection of UNESCO.
IDEAL PROPORTIONS
In terms of plan, the Taj Mahal is somewhat similar to a classic Islamic religious building. In addition to the mausoleum itself, the complex of buildings includes a mosque and a covered gallery made of red sandstone, an arched gate, as well as an extensive garden with fountains and pools, laid out so that the tomb is clearly visible from all sides.
The mausoleum was erected on a vast platform of red sandstone, seven meters high, on which, in turn, a three-meter high Luzhe was built on it and the Taj Mahal itself rests. This absolutely symmetrical octagonal building, 57 meters high, is topped with a 24-meter dome, shaped like a lotus bud. The facades are decorated with pointed arches and niches, creating a subtle play of light and shadow.
The mausoleum is especially beautiful against the backdrop of the blue sky, and all this splendor is reflected in the rectangular pool located directly in front of the building. This is the first such experience in the world. In Europe, two years after the completion of the Taj Mahal, French architect André Le Nôtre used a body of water designed to reflect the façade of the palace.
White marble in combination with a carefully selected shade of the dome tiles - to match the color of the sky - creates the impression of incredible lightness of the monumental ensemble. The beauty of the Taj Mahal is emphasized by the play of light, especially in the evening twilight, when the marble is painted in various shades of purple, pink, and golden colors. Early in the morning the building looks like it is woven from lace. seems to be floating in the air.
Taj Mahal- this is a mosque combined with a mausoleum, located in Agra on the banks of the local river Jamna. It is not known for certain who exactly is the architect of this building. This structure was built by order of Shah Janah, who is a direct descendant of the famous Tamerlane. The padishah of the Mughal Empire built the Taj Mahal for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died giving birth to their 14th child. Subsequently, Shah Jahan himself was buried here.
The Taj Mahal (also called simply "Taj") is the most famous example of the Mughal style of architecture. It incorporated elements of Islamic, Indian and Persian architecture styles, since there are generally many borrowings in Mughal culture. The Taj Mahal received the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the 83rd year of the twentieth century. It is considered a universally recognized masterpiece and pearl of Muslim culture, admired by people from all over the world.
The Taj Mahal is a structurally integrated complex. Its construction began in 1632, and the work was completed only by 1653, that is, it lasted more than two decades. About twenty thousand craftsmen and ordinary workers worked on the construction of the facility. The construction was also led by the leading architects of the time, but it is not known for certain who exactly made the main contribution to the final result. Lakhauri is usually considered the creator of this famous structure, but some information suggests that the main architect was a native of Turkey, Muhammad Effendi. In any case, this question is unlikely to be answered.
Inside the mausoleum you can see the tombs of the Shah and his wife. But in fact, they are buried not under the tombs, but a little lower, underground.
The Taj Mahal is a five-domed building whose height reaches 74 meters. It was built on a platform with four minarets at the corners. The minarets have a slight slope away from the tombs, so as not to damage them in the event of a collapse.
Nearby there is a garden with fountains. The walls are made of translucent marble, which had to be brought here from afar. The masonry is made with inlaid gems. Thanks to this, the walls look snow-white in daylight, appear pink at dawn, and have a silvery tint on a moonlit night.
The construction of this building took a long time and more than twenty thousand people from different ends countries, as well as from other countries in Asia and the Middle East. Each of them contributed to the final result.
The Taj Mahal was built just south of Agra, which was surrounded by a high wall that guarded the city. Shah Jahan personally selected the site and exchanged for it a huge palace, which is located in the very center of Agra. As a result, construction began on a site of approximately 1.2 hectares. To begin with, they dug up the ground and replaced the soil, and then built a platform that rose five meters above the level of the bank of the local river. Subsequently, the construction of the foundation began, which was to become the basis of a massive building, and during its construction the most modern technologies at that time were used. They even built the scaffolding thoroughly, which was not bamboo, as usual, but brick. They turned out to be so massive that the craftsmen were afraid that after construction they would have to be dismantled within several years. But everything turned out a little differently. The story says that Shah Jahan announced that anyone could take as many bricks as they wanted and the scaffolding was dismantled almost overnight, since in those days it was a popular building material.
The marble was transported using a special ramp constructed from compressed earth. Thirty bulls dragged each block along it to the construction site. The blocks were raised to the required level using specially designed mechanisms. The proximity of the river also made it possible to quickly obtain water. A special rope system made it possible to fill the tanks as quickly as possible, after which water from the tanks was transported directly to the construction site through specially laid pipes. A huge amount of work has been done in this regard.
The tomb and platform were built in 12 years, and all other parts of the complex were built for another ten. Construction was divided into stages and, largely thanks to this, it was possible to achieve timely delivery of all objects. The forces were not dispersed, but accumulated on a specific type of work.
Taj Mahal in 1865
Construction materials were brought here from all over India and even from neighboring Asian powers, so more than one thousand elephants were used to transport them. The Taj Mahal was really built by the whole country, and its construction took a huge amount of effort, time and money.
Taj Mahal in 1890
From the very beginning of its existence, the Taj Mahal has been not only a source of universal admiration, but also an excellent occasion for the creation of myths and legends based on it. As you know, any beautiful story is surrounded by many accompanying narratives, some of which are true, while others are complete nonsense and fiction. Sometimes it is impossible to figure out what is truth and what is fiction. What exactly is true, and the number of legends themselves is incalculable, we will focus on the most remarkable.
The most common myth is that the Taj Mahal was not meant to be the only mausoleum. According to legend, another mausoleum was supposed to appear opposite it, but this time made of black marble. A new building was supposed to go up on the other side of the river, but certain circumstances prevented this. So, they say that Shah Jahan simply did not have time to complete the construction due to the fact that he was overthrown from the throne by his own son and legal heir Aurangzeb. This legend was reinforced by the fact that, over time, ruins made of black marble were actually discovered on the opposite bank of the river. But everything fell into place at the end of the twentieth century, when excavations and research made it clear that black marble was in fact just white marble blackened by time. At the same time, the pond in the Moon Garden (according to legend, the second mausoleum was supposed to be located there) was reconstructed; it turned out that the reflection of the Taj Mahal in the water of the pond looks black and can be seen without problems. Perhaps the pond was built only for these purposes.
There is also no evidence that after construction was completed, the architect’s hands were cut off so that he could not recreate such beauty. According to another version, the builders signed a special agreement that they would never build anything like the Taj Mahal. Such legends accompany almost any known structure and are pure fantasy.
Another legend concerns that in the mid-nineteenth century, William Bentinck planned to completely destroy the mausoleum and sell its marble at a major auction. Most likely, this myth arose after Bentinck sold marble from the construction of one of the forts in the city of Agra, but he had no such plans for the tomb.
The reality is often embellished by guidebooks, according to which Shah Jahan, after being overthrown by his son, admired the Taj Mahal straight from behind the bars of his prison. In fact, nothing of the kind happened, since Shah Jahan was kept in more than comfortable conditions in the Red Fort, located in Delhi. From there, the Taj Mahal is, of course, impossible to see. Here the narrators deliberately replace Delhi's Red Fort with the one located in Agra. From the Red Fort in Agra you can actually see the Taj. It turns out that most of the myths and stories about the famous mausoleum are nothing more than the most ordinary inventions, albeit very beautiful ones.
Wonders of the World: Taj Mahal - A Love Story.
The Taj Mahal is located in the city of Agra, located two hundred kilometers south of Delhi, in India, on the banks of the Jamna River.
Paul Mauriat "Indian Heat"
Divine, shining, and, despite its 74-meter height, so light and airy that it is like a fairy-tale dream, the Taj Mahal rises in the valley of the Yamuna River - the most beautiful architectural creation of India, and, perhaps, of the whole earth... High white marble domes rush into the sky - one large and four small ones, in the chaste outlines of which you can guess female forms. Reflected in the motionless surface of an artificial canal, the Taj Mahal seems to float in front of us, representing an example of extraterrestrial beauty and perfect harmony.
Beautiful with its perfect forms, the Taj Mahal amazes with its details - elegant carvings, openwork lattices and colored stones. The vaulted passages are decorated with Arabic script, imprinting some of the surahs of the Koran on stone.
But it is not only architectural perfection that attracts millions of travelers from all over the world to the Taj Mahal. The story of its origin makes no less impression on the hearts of people... A story more like an oriental fairy tale or legend that any poet would envy...
The story of the Taj Mahal tells of the tender love of the Mughal ruler Shah Jahan for his wife, the beautiful Mumtaz.
Having met a beautiful poor girl with wooden beads in her hands at the bazaar, 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. Over 17 years of marriage, they had 13 children. But Mumtaz Mahal did not survive the difficult birth on the 14th.
Sorrowful Khurram decided to build a tomb for his beloved wife, now called the Taj Mahal. The mausoleum was built by more than 20,000 people over 22 years. More than 32 million rupees were spent on its construction. When construction came to an end, in 1653, the aging ruler gave the order to begin 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 for the rest of his life in the tower of the Red Fort in Agra.
As often happens in history, by the will of fate, the king lost his power overnight. And the once great Shah Jahan, the ruler of India, was imprisoned in heavy chains and thrown into prison... Seriously ill, gray-haired, lonely and exhausted... He once owned the whole world, but now he had nothing... Nothing but one single joy - a narrow prison window. He could not see the endless valleys of his native land, nor the dark clumps of mango trees, nor the golden sunrise of the gentle sun... In the small frame of the window, only he was visible - like a dream, shining like a snow-white swan in the sky, the mausoleum of his long-dead beloved ...
View of the distant Taj Mahal from Shah Jahan's marble prison
Shah Jahan's prison
Shah Jahan's prison
Soon the great and defeated king himself was buried in the same tomb, next to his beloved... Such is this beautiful and sad story that gave us examples great love and great creativity... The Taj Mahal remains the most wonderful and great Indo-Islamic work of art, now revered as the most beautiful structure on earth, and is a place mandatory visit for any person traveling through this amazing country.
Taj Mahal - Tombs of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal
The best twenty thousand craftsmen came from all over the world to build the Taj Mahal. The white marble walls were decorated with mosaics from large number various precious stones. In the center of the Taj Mahal mausoleum there were so-called false tombs, but the crypts were located under the floor and reliably protected from prying eyes. The walls of the burial hall were inlaid with graceful stone flowers.
The Taj Mahal Gateway
The Taj Mahal Gateway
The Taj Mahal Gateway
The tomb is built of marble (it had to be delivered to the site from a quarry 300 kilometers away), but the building is not completely white. Its surface is inlaid with thousands of precious and semi-precious stones, and black marble was used for calligraphic ornaments. Skillful self made, filigree finished, marble cladding casts, depending on the incidence of light, mesmerizing shadows. The doors to the Taj Mahal were once made of silver. Inside there was a parapet of gold, and a cloth strewn with pearls lay on the tomb of the princess, installed at the very spot where she was burned. Thieves stole these precious items and repeatedly tried to steal them. gems inlays. But, despite all this, the mausoleum still delights every visitor today.
A magnificent decorative park with lakes, fountains and canals was laid out around the Taj Mahal, occupying a total of 18 hectares. Unlike other structures, which were usually placed in the center of the garden, the Taj Mahal is located at its end, being its crown. Cypress trees are planted along the artificial canal with fountains, the outlines of the crowns of which echo the domes of the four minarets...
At the far end of the complex are two large buildings made of the same red sandstone, located on either side of the tomb. They are absolutely identical, their color sets off the whiteness of its walls. The building on the left was used as a mosque, while the identical building on the right was built for symmetry.
Taj Mahal Mosque
Rich decorated interior of the Mosque of Taj
Taj Mahal Mosque
Taj Mahal Meeting House
Taj Mahal Meeting House
The construction of these buildings was completed in 1643.
The Taj Mahal is currently listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and is one of the 7 New Wonders of the World.
"Taj Mahal"
Dedicated to eternal love,
There is an unprecedented amount of passion in him
Illuminated by the southern star,
The magical worth of the Taj Mahal
The architect who built the miracle,
I was looking for the path to perfection
But I was blinded, and with my own eyes
The world has never seen anything better
Hymn for the Divine Towers
The architect created in marble
And cups full of feelings
Distributed to suffering people
Complicated from light and music
An unearthly pedestal of love,
Similar to a white swan,
Taj Mahal descended from heaven.
Copyright: Alexander Kravets 2, 2011
The majestic Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal, Taj Mahal (ताज महल) - is both a mosque for believers and a mausoleum-museum for visitors. Located in India, the city of Agra on the banks of the Jamna River.
It is not known for certain who built the Taj Mahal, but probably the architect was Ustad-Isa. The mosque-mausoleum was built by order of Emperor Shah Jahan, who was a descendant of Tamerlane, in honor of his wife Mumtaz Mahal.
Mumtaz Mahal died during difficult childbirth. Later the emperor himself was buried here. The Taj Mahal is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the finest example of Mughal architectural craftsmanship. The Pearl of India delights people all over the world.
Elements of Persian, Indian and Islamic styles were combined in one object. Attracting the eyes of all observers is the white dome and numerous turrets.
Construction of the Taj Mahal began in 1632 and was completed only in 1653. More than 20,000 workers, builders, and artisans participated in the construction. The walls of this grandiose building are made of polished translucent marble. It has such a peculiarity that during the day it appears pure white, at dawn it is pink, and at night in the light of the moon it is silver. In addition, the walls are inlaid with turquoise, agate, malachite, carnelian and other gems.
The Taj Mahal is also a symbol of eternal love. Legends say that Jahan met a young girl in the bazaar and was so blinded by her beauty that, regardless of the fact that she was a girl from a poor family, he took her as his wife. The Shah had many wives and concubines, but while his Mumtaz Mahal was alive, he spent all his time only with her. She accompanied him everywhere, even on long journeys and military campaigns, steadfastly enduring all the hardships and hardships. His wife bore him 13 children, but was unable to give birth to the fourteenth and died during difficult childbirth at the age of 36. Shah Jahan was beside himself with grief and was even on the verge of suicide. As a result of this beautiful and pure love, a great mausoleum was erected, which still amazes people with its beauty.
