Heart of India: Taj Mahal. Taj Mahal: The Story of an Architectural Jewel

In the second third of the 17th century. representative of the Mughal dynasty (1526–1858) Shihab ad-din Shah Jihan I (1628–1657) built the magnificent Taj Mahal mausoleum near Agra. , erected at the behest of Shah Jahan for his beloved wife Mumtaz, who died early, is considered the pinnacle architectural structures Muslim type. The Taj Mahal was created in the Mughal style - a mixture of Indian, Persian and Islamic architecture. The complex includes five main elements: a gate, a garden, a mosque, a jawab and the mausoleum itself. Shah Jahan carefully selected and adjusted the design of the mausoleum, turning to the best architects of the East at that time. The main idea was developed by Ustad Mohammed Isa Effendi, a Byzantine Turk, a student of the largest Turkish architect Sinan, a Greek by birth. Indian masters participated in the development of the project, Central Asia, Persia, Arabia. Shah Jahan himself chose the site for the unheard of mausoleum below Agra on the right bank of the Jamuna. Construction lasted from 1631 to 1647; About 20 thousand workers were constantly employed there.

The Taj Mahal mausoleum, together with the surrounding park, occupies a significant area of 17 hectares. The gardens and mausoleum are accessible from the south side of the garden, where two entrance portals lined with traditional chattris stand on the same line. After this, the visitor enters the territory of a clearly planned garden, which is divided into squares by four channels, at the intersection of which there is a swimming pool. The mausoleum building itself is located on the north side.

The tomb was erected on an artificial platform on the banks of the Jamna River. The platform is paved with white marble. The mausoleum, attributed to the Indian architect Ustad Ahmad Lahori, is a compact white marble building with traditional Indian architecture cut off corners, with a large dome and four chattris on the roof. The building is entirely made of white marble, which perfectly reflects the sun's rays. According to legend, the Shah wanted a separate black mausoleum to be built for him on the opposite bank of the Dzhamna River. However, Shah Jihan was dethroned by his own son Aurangzeb.

On the eastern and western borders of the Taj Mahal complex, strictly along the transverse axis relative to the main building, there are two red sandstone buildings. Each building is topped with three white domes. And although they have a different purpose (on the right is “Jawab” - a shelter for eminent guests, and on the left is a mosque where memorial services were held), all the buildings logically fit into the memorial complex.

In the center of the platform there is a tomb with a square plan with beveled corners. On the inside of the wall there is a bypass corridor with octagonal chambers at each corner. In the center there is an 8-sided burial chamber, topped with a low dome; Portals lead inside it, one on each side. The chamber contains the cenotaphs (grave monuments for the dead whose remains rest elsewhere or have not been found) of the Taj Mahal and Shah Jahan, surrounded by an openwork marble fence (their surface is inlaid with semi-precious stones), while the original burials are in the crypt directly below the chamber . From the outside, the arched portal on each façade is flanked by two tiers of niches, and the entire structure is topped by an onion dome raised high above the shallow inner domed bowl of the burial chamber. Simple proportions determine the plan and the ratio of verticals: the width of the building is equal to its total height of 75 m, and the distance from the floor level to the parapet above the arched portals is half of the entire height.

Above the main room (according to the tradition in Indian architecture) two domes are raised - one inside the other. The outer dome is topped with a spire, and the inner (smaller) dome is made in order to maintain harmony with the interior space. This constructive solution appeared in the Timurid era, and in India it was first used during the construction of the mausoleum (1518) of the Delhi ruler Nizam Khan Sikandar II (1489–1517) from the Lodi dynasty.

The ornamentation of the internal surfaces of the Taj Mahal is striking in its elegance. Gems and multi-colored marble were used in decoration. Thus, the epigraphic decor is made of black marble, reproducing the suras of the Koran in suls handwriting. It is known that the Mughal emperors were passionate about flora: they planted flower beds and rose gardens, special plantations of ornamental plants. This love is fully present in the decoration of the interior of the mausoleum. A mosaic of multi-colored pieces of agate, carnelian, lapis lazuli, onyx, turquoise, amber, jasper and coral reproduces the flower garlands and bouquets decorating the walls of the funeral hall. One gets the impression that the Taj Mahal was created not as a tomb, but as a monument to the emperor’s love for his incomparable wife Mumtaz Mahal (Mumtaz - “incomparable”, Arabic).

The mausoleum has numerous symbols hidden in its architecture and layout. For example, on the gate through which visitors of the Taj Mahal enter the park complex surrounding the mausoleum, a quote from the Koran is carved, addressed to the righteous and ending with the words “enter my paradise.” Considering that in the Mughal language of that time the words “paradise” and “garden” are written the same way, one can understand Shah Jahan’s plan - to build paradise and place his beloved within it.

Opposite the Taj Mahal, Shah Jahan ordered the construction of the same mausoleum made of black marble - for himself. But as soon as the builders managed to deliver the first blocks of black marble, one of the eldest sons of the inconsolable Shah - Jahangir - overthrew his father from the throne. He asked only for one thing - that the Taj Mahal be visible from the place of his imprisonment.

Shah Jahan ended his days in a secluded tower two kilometers from the mausoleum he built, looking at it from a small window. When his vision weakened, a large emerald was cut into the wall opposite the window, in which the snow-white tomb of his beloved Mumiaz was reflected.

A well-known legend claims that the Taj Mahal is the tomb of the wife of the Mughal (Mughal - dynasty of rulers of India 1526-1858) Shah Jahan. It is believed that this architectural monument took 22 years to build (1631-1653), after which the Shah wanted to build a similar structure, but from black marble, for himself. Realizing that such construction would ultimately ruin the state, the king’s own son put an end to this idea by putting his father in prison. However, this is only one theory about the origin of the Taj Mahal. Beautiful, attractive for tourists. Romantic. Is it true?

alternative history

There are those who challenge the official theory, pointing to the following facts:

Muslim rulers often established tombs in captured temples and palaces.

In the archives of the Maharaja of Jaipur at that time, there are two orders from Jahan to transfer the Taj to Jahan.

The name "Taj Mahal" does not appear in Mughal annals. The official theory refers to the name of the deceased, Mumtaz (Mumtaj) Mahal, but her name was actually Mumtaz-ul-Zamani.

The Mughal annals do not say anything about the mad love of Jahan and Mumtaz-ul-Zamani. This story has no historical basis.

A certain Albert Mandelslo, a European who visited Agra in 1638, 7 years after the death of King Jahan, made no mention of the traces of grandiose construction that undoubtedly should have remained. Another European, Peter Mundy, who was in Agra a year after Jahan's death, wrote about the Taj Mahal as a very ancient structure.

And finally, hydrocarbon analysis shows that the building is at least 300 years older than Jahan.

Professor P. N. Oak believes that the name "Taj Mahal" comes from the name of Sri Shiva - "Tejo Mahalaya", and the building itself is an ancient temple of Sri Shiva.

Many rooms of the Taj Mahal have been sealed since the time of Jahan.

It is also reported that Professor Oak's research was banned during the time of Indira Gandhi, whose name is still cursed by many Indians.

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 manifests itself for God and their homeland, but not for 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.

A fulfilled oath

Shah Jahan remembered how the mother of his children once asked him to build 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 the subjects of the Muslim king, we became aware of the official history of 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. About them future fate few people know, 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.

Favorite piece of land on which they built luxurious palace, did not belong to the emperor, but he exchanged it with 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 feeling of admiration even in the most indifferent person to architecture, was designed taking into account optical illusions, which 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 optical illusion that misleads visitors: it seems to them that the minarets located next to the mausoleum are 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. Surprising but seismic dangerous place avoided disasters.

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 Garden of Eden- 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. And most of 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 is interesting to watch the play of light when the sun's rays at dawn or sunset 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 landmark for posterity. Unfortunately, architectural monument with a huge history, it settles and becomes covered with cracks.

Former capital of the Mughal Empire Agra (India) - populous city with a bad environmental situation. Polluted air causes marble to turn yellow, and periodically, in order to improve the appearance of the building, 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, mobile phones and even chewing gum into the mausoleum. 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 its architectural lines and luxury of decoration, and creative people and all lovers are concerned about the sad story of its 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.

Built in the second half of the 17th century by Shah Jihan, the magnificent Taj Mahal mausoleum is considered the pinnacle of Muslim architectural structures. The style in which the Taj Mahal was built is a mixture of Indian, Persian and Islamic architecture. The complex includes five main elements: a gate, a garden, a mosque, a jawab and the mausoleum itself. It is believed that Shah Jahan carefully selected and adjusted the design of the mausoleum, and the best architects of the East at that time worked on the project. The main idea of the entire complex was worked out by Ustad Mohammed Isa Effendi, a Byzantine Turk. Shah Jahan personally chose the place to build the mausoleum, below Agra on the right bank of the Jamuna River. Construction lasted from 1631 to 1647, with more than 20 thousand workers constantly working on it.

The Taj Mahal was built on a piece of land south of the walled city of Agra. Shah Jahan exchanged a piece of land he liked, owned at that time by Maharaja Jai Singh, for a palace in the very center of Agra.

The approximately three-acre (1.2 hectare) area was dug up and soil replaced to reduce water infiltration from the nearby river. The level of the construction site was raised 50 meters above the level of the river bank. In the place where the mausoleum is located today, wells were dug and filled with rubble stone, forming the foundation of the structure.

Instead of scaffolding made of tied bamboo (standard used in India today), large-scale scaffolding of brick was erected that surrounded the perimeter of the tomb. Interesting fact The point is that the scaffolding was so impressive in size that the construction managers feared that dismantling it could take years. But according to legend, Shah Jahan announced that anyone could take and keep as many bricks as they wanted, and the forests were dismantled by the peasants almost overnight.

The building of the Taj Mahal mausoleum, together with the surrounding park and other buildings, occupies an area of 17 hectares. Access to the mausoleum is open from the southern side of the garden, where there are two entrance portals on the same line. After passing the second gate, you enter the territory of a clearly planned garden, which is divided into squares by four canals, and the intersection point is the pool in the center of the park.

The Taj Mahal mausoleum stands on an artificial platform near the banks of the Jumna River. The author of the mausoleum is considered to be the Indian architect Ustad Ahmad Lahori. The Taj Mahal is a compact building made of white marble with cut corners traditional for Indian architecture, crowned by a dome and four chattris at the corners of the roof. The building is entirely made of white marble, and the artificial platform is only lined with marble, but together they perfectly reflect the sun's rays, flooding everything around with sunlight.

On the eastern and western sides of the Taj Mahal mausoleum, strictly along the transverse axis, there are two red sandstone buildings with three white domes. The building on the right is “Jawab” - a shelter for pilgrims, and on the left is a mosque where memorial services were held, the buildings are symmetrical and fit perfectly into the complex.

In the center of the artificial platform there is a tomb; when viewed from above, it is a square with beveled corners. Inside, the walls are surrounded by a bypass corridor with octagonal chambers at every corner. In the very center there is a burial chamber, above which two domes are raised - one inside the other. The outer dome is topped with a spire, and the inner (smaller) dome serves to maintain proportions. Portals lead inside the burial chamber, one on each side.

Entering the burial chamber, you will see cenotaphs surrounded by an openwork marble fence; the original burials are located directly under the burial chamber.

The outside of the structure is crowned with an onion dome, raised high above the flat roof of the burial chamber. Simple proportions determine the relationship between the verticals: the width of the building is equal to its total height of 75 meters, and the distance from the floor level to the parapet above the arched portals is half the entire height.

The interior surfaces of the Taj Mahal are made with such grace that you can spend hours looking at the floral patterns made in stone. Gems and multi-colored marble were used in the decoration of the Taj Mahal; materials were supplied from all over the world.

A mosaic of multi-colored pieces of agate, carnelian, onyx, turquoise, amber, jasper and coral reproduces the flower garlands and bouquets decorating the walls of the funeral hall. The epigraphic decor is made of black marble, reproducing the suras of the Koran.

Taj Mahal- one of the most beautiful palaces not only in, but throughout the world; mosque-mausoleum in Agra, dedicated to the beloved wife of Shah Jahan I - Mumtaz Mahal. Thanks to the verified architecture, the mausoleum turned out to be surprisingly beautiful and organic. If you look at its snow-white domes for a long time, it seems as if it is floating in the air. The Taj Mahal is included in the version of our site.

In fact, this palace is the personification of a beautiful and long-lasting love, about which there are many legends among the people. According to one of them, this romantic story began after the padishah met Mumtaz Mahal in the city market and was so blinded by her beauty that he offered to become his third wife, who later became his beloved. According to another version, the girl was a distant relative of the ruler on her mother’s side, or the daughter of his father’s vizier.

In any case, Sha-Jahan was so attached to her that he did not leave her until her death. They lived together for approximately 17 years. The girl died giving birth to their 14th child. The name Mumtaz Mahal was given to her by her father-in-law, Padishah Jahangir, and it meant “decoration of the palace.” They say that after the death of his beloved, Shah Jahan never recovered. As a sign of his endless love, he ordered the construction of a mausoleum for her. He himself was also buried in the Taj Mahal, but much later.

Construction of the palace lasted from 1631 to 1653. More than 20 thousand workers worked on it, among whom were the best calligraphers from Persia and Syria, Indian inlay masters, sculptors from Bukhara and other specialists. They say that the doors were originally cast from pure silver, but over so many centuries the Taj Mahal was plundered more than once. Despite this, the palace has not lost its former luster and is ranked among the most beautiful buildings in the world.

The construction site on the banks of the Jamna River was chosen with the precise expectation of long-term existence. For so many years, not a single earthquake has damaged the palace. The architecture of the Taj Mahal shows a mixture of Islamic, Indian and Persian architecture, which gives it a special royal feel. An irrigation canal leads to the tomb, which reflects the contours of the structure. The height of the main dome is 73 meters. Despite this, the mausoleum seems surprisingly elegant and light.

Tourists visiting India certainly go to Agra to look at this “pearl” of Islamic architecture, photograph it and even visit the inner chambers, where two white marble sarcophagi covered with calligraphy are kept. These are the tombs of Shah Jahan and his beloved wife. The “Crown Palace” looks especially spectacular in the morning haze of fog, at night and during river floods. The gardens adjacent to the building are no less picturesque.

Millions of tourists come here year after year. The doors of the Taj Mahal are open every day except Fridays and the month of Ramadan. You can get from Delhi to Agra either by train or by bus. The distance between cities is about 250 km. From Goa is better only reachable by plane.

You cannot fly an airplane over it. You can get into it at night, but only during the full moon. All the architects who worked on it were killed. This is the Taj Mahal. Heart of India.

History of the Taj Mahal in India

The Taj Mahal was built in honor of a woman. Who was loved very much and who died. A descendant of Khan Tamerlane, the Great Mongol Emperor Shah Jahan ordered the construction of a palace in honor of his late wife Mumtaz Mahal. Taj Mahal translates as “the chosen one of the palace.” According to the traditions of that time, the khan had a huge harem, but he loved only his wife.

The silhouette of the Taj Mahal in India is instantly recognizable by people all over the world. It is one of the most photographed buildings in history. Made of white marble, decorated with gold and semi-precious stones, this structure testifies to the wealth of the state and the skill of the craftsmen of the 17th century. And of course, about great love.

It is not surprising that the Taj Mahal on the map of India is the most popular place. More than 3 million people visit it annually.

Shah Jahan and his Love

Contemporaries called Shah Jahan the ruler of the world. He ruled his empire for 30 years and during this time the country came to cultural and political prosperity.

When Shah was a fifteen-year-old boy, he met a girl in the market. She was 14 and selling trinkets. It was Arju-mand Banu Begam. The history of the Taj Mahal in India began with this meeting. According to legend, the young lovers immediately fell in love with each other. But the Shah was forced to enter into a marriage beneficial to the dynasty. His wife was a Persian princess. The first of the four permitted by Islam. The Shah married his beloved for the second time. A new name - Mumtaz Mahal - was given to her by her father-in-law, the great Khan Jahangir.

The relationship of the young couple was cloudless, trusting and tender. According to contemporaries, the emperor's wife was beautiful and wise. And also brave. Pregnant, she accompanied him on the campaign and died in childbirth. This was to be their fourteenth child. Mumtaz Mahal was 39 years old.

True or not, when she died, the woman allegedly asked her lover to fulfill two of her wishes. First, he will not marry again, so as not to create enmity between the heirs. And secondly, to erect a mausoleum in her honor, the like of which the world has never seen. The emperor promised to fulfill both requests and kept his word.

After the death of his wife, the ruler locked himself in his room for eight days, did not drink or eat. During this time he grew very old. And when he left, he began to create the most majestic mausoleum in India called the Taj Mahal.

Construction of the palace

The best craftsmen from Baghdad, Istanbul, Samarkand and many other cities came to the emperor’s call. Everyone presented their project. More than others, the ruler liked the sketches drawn by the Iranian Istad Usa. A famous architect at that time. Istad Usa never saw how and who built the Taj Mahal in India based on its model. He was blinded so that he would not do anything like this again. It is possible, of course, that this is a fiction and the poor architect was not harmed. It is also known that, besides him, design work French and Venetian masters were also involved.

The palace was founded in Agra in 1632. Only 10 years later work on the central building was completed.

Architectural features of the Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal palace in India is a whole complex of buildings. Here are the main ones:

the mausoleum itself (a five-domed temple, the largest dome resembles a flower bud; the height of the entire structure is 74 m);
four minarets (they were designed and installed at a slight angle from the tomb, so that if they fell they would not hit it);
two identical sandstone buildings;
garden (with fountains and a swimming pool);
huge gates (according to Muslim beliefs, they seem to lead from the realm of the senses to the kingdom of the spirit, symbolizing the gates to heaven; immediately behind the gates there is a view of the mausoleum, which is reflected in the water of the pool; initially the doors were silver, later they were replaced by copper).

A staircase leads to the mausoleum. Since the Taj Mahal in India is also a kind of mosque, it is customary to take off your shoes at the entrance. The building is lined with marble. It is translucent and polished. The marble had to be delivered 300 km away. It reflects light amazingly - it looks pink in the morning, white during the day, and silver at night.

There are openwork grilles on the windows and arches, and suras from the Koran are engraved in black marble in the passages. The walls are covered with gilding, marble mosaics and ornaments. It used 1.5 thousand tons of diamonds, pearls, agate, carnelian, malachite and turquoise. In the center of the mausoleum there are marble screens, and behind them are the tombs. They always have fresh flowers. But these tombs are false, empty. The bodies of the Shah and his wife are located under the building, in a crypt.

The Taj Mahal Temple in India took 22 years to build. This required the labor of 20 thousand builders. The work on the temple was carried out by the best craftsmen - sculptors from Bukhara, Syrian calligraphers, jewelers from South India.

Later the temple was looted and many precious stones disappeared.

The park around the mausoleum is also very beautiful. The paths are paved with marble. The pool, which is located in front of the main entrance, is lined with cypress trees. In these parts they are considered to be trees of sorrow.

At the entrance to the garden there is a mosque made of red sandstone. It has eleven domes and two minarets.

The entire complex stands on the banks of the Jamuna River. The mausoleum is reflected in the water ripples. The image is unclear, which evokes thoughts of the unearthly nature of the Taj Mahal. In the morning at dawn, fog rises over the river and the palace seems to be floating in the clouds.

The fate of Shah Jahan

The Emperor had completed the construction of India's most beautiful palace, the Taj Mahal, and was about to begin the next one. The Shah wanted to build the same mausoleum on the opposite bank of the river, but from black marble. And connect both complexes with a bridge. This bridge was supposed to symbolize the victory of love over death.

But the emperor’s health failed. He planned to hand over control of the country to his first son, with whom he was close. But this was prevented by the intrigues of the Shah’s second son. He spread gossip that his father had lost his mind and was not allowed to choose his own heir. It was the second son who ascended the throne. He got rid of his brothers and imprisoned his father. Where exactly did the fallen emperor spend his last years unknown for sure. Most historians are inclined to believe that he was kept in the Red Fort. This building is opposite the mausoleum, on the opposite bank of the river. Shah spent the last eight years of his life there. I could admire the Taj Mahal and remember my beloved. He is buried with her in the palace crypt.

The fate of the Taj Mahal

Descendants did not treat the mausoleum with the same reverence as its creator. Two centuries later, the palace was perceived more as a place for entertainment, rather than as a shrine. Girls could afford to dance on the terrace, and rich young couples came to Agra, a city in India near the Taj Mahal, to celebrate their wedding. The mosque and guest house on the territory of the complex could easily be rented.

Following the Indians themselves, the British colonialists continued to plunder the Taj Mahal. They took stones, carpets and even doors. They easily came to the palace with a hammer and chisel to make it easier to tear out jewelry. At one point, the Governor General of India even planned to demolish the Taj Mahal and sell the marble. The palace was saved by the fact that at that time there were no buyers.

The mausoleum suffered even greater destruction during the Indian uprising of 1857 and under late XIX for centuries it was in complete decline. The garden is overgrown, the graves are desecrated.

Another governor-general took up the task of restoration. Lord Curzon. The restoration of the Taj Mahal was completed in 1908.

The next danger came to the Palace in the second half of the 20th century. Agra - a city in India, next to the Taj Mahal - has become industrial center. Acid rain rained down on the Taj Mahal, damaging the marble. Only in the late 90s did the Indian authorities order all hazardous production to be moved from Agra.

Now the Taj Mahal is main symbol India. A tear on the cheek of eternity.

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