What is the Taj Mahal and in what city is it located? Taj Mahal Mausoleum: An Eternal Love Story

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

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

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

Background

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

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

It is difficult to imagine what passions were boiling in the imperial harem. Rejected eldest wife weaved intrigues, participated in conspiracies, created scandals. There is a known case when Banu Begum was almost poisoned. And although the ruler honestly fulfilled his marital duty in the harem, for many years his heart was captured by Mumtaz Mahal.

She was not just a wife, but also a faithful friend, ally, and companion. She also accompanied her husband on his campaigns.

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

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

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

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

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

Design and construction

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

Builders began construction of the tomb in 1632. More than 22 thousand skilled craftsmen and simple workers were gathered from all over the country to build and decorate the Taj Mahal. The design of the main building was carried out by architect Ismail Afandi. The Persian architect and artist Ustad Isa, the famous calligrapher Amanat Khan, the decorative master Kazim Khan from Lahore and many other well-known builders worked with him.

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

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

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

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

Architecture

The Taj Mahal complex of buildings includes the following buildings:

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

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

The mausoleum itself is installed on a large platform, the length of which is 600 meters and the width is 300 meters. On the north side it ends with a small cliff near the river.

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

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

A park

There is a magnificent park around the Taj Mahal, covering an area of 9 hectares. The park area is divided by four canals that connect at right angles. This is how the Koran's ideas about paradise were embodied. After all, according to the holy book, rivers flow in paradise not only with water, but also with honey, wine and milk. The center of the park is occupied by a long pond. This arrangement was not accidental. Those who entered the main gate saw two Taj Mahals, one real, and the second reflected in the water.

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

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

After construction

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

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

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

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

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

To avoid various incidents, many policemen are on duty on the territory of the Taj Mahal. Those who come to the tomb take off their shoes and leave their property, except for documents and money, in safes at the exit. But India's magnificent shrine faces a different kind of danger. Due to air pollution, the marble on the building begins to turn yellow and deteriorate. It is necessary to constantly clean the surfaces of the tomb with special compounds. Flights are prohibited over the Taj Mahal air assets, and parking lots have been moved as far away from the complex as possible so that exhaust gases do not spoil the ancient mausoleum. A number of city factories, which polluted the air with their emissions, also had to be closed.

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

Some more facts about the Taj Mahal

For those who, according to the English traveler Edward Lear, have not yet had the good fortune to see the Taj Mahal, there are several interesting facts:

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

How to get there

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

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 if the stars were favorable, they had to wait five years for this moment, and 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 trusted completely; he even took his wife to accompany military campaigns, since he did not want to be without her for a long time.

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

Construction

In 1632, the construction of the Taj Mahal began, which lasted more than 20 years. The city chosen was Agra, 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. The best materials were purchased for the construction of the grandiose monument. 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 tolas of gold were taken away, and many precious stones were taken from the walls. Lord Curzon, having come to power, passed laws that made it possible to save the Taj Mahal from complete plunder. In 1653, the Sultan began construction of a second mausoleum, an exact copy of the Taj Mahal, only made of 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. Shah Jahan was buried in the same crypt with his beloved wife in the Taj Mahal.

Structural features

The Taj Mahal is in the center big park, which can be entered through a gate that symbolizes the entrance to heaven. In front of the mausoleum there is a large marble pool. The building itself looks weightless, despite its impressive size (height 75 meters). 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, clear symmetry and many interesting geometric coincidences were revealed.

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. By 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.

The specific facts about Mumtaz's life and death are mixed up in different sources, 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 the beautiful legends, on the opposite side of the Jumna 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 really 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.

The Indian Taj Mahal, the most famous monument of love, has long become a symbol of this country. It is one of the most popular attractions among tourists, perceived as an eternal love story in stone.

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

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

Creation story - love story

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Automobile

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

Distances from Agra to other cities:

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

Parking

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

From Agra to the Taj Mahal

You can get around Agra by Taxi(Uber, Ola), excursion mini-bus “tempo”, auto or pedicabs. You can order a prepaid taxi from the main Agra Cantonment station.

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

Taj Mahal: Google Panorama

Taj Mahal: Google panorama inside the building

Video about the Taj Mahal / National Geographic

A great love story: Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal

About five million tourists visit the Taj Mahal in India every year. The creation of the greatest structure on Earth is associated with the name of Shah Jahan, the grandson of the great Mogul Akbar.

The name Shah Jahan, which means “ruler of the world,” was given to his beloved son Khurram by his father. At a young age, the boy was engaged to Mumtaz Mahal, but it so happened that they fell in love with each other. And their love has passed the test of eternity...

Shah Jahan had a large harem, but for him there were no other women except Mumtaz Mahal. Yes, he had children from other wives, but his feelings for these women could not be compared with his great love for the “chosen one of the palace” - this is how the name Mumtaz Mahal is translated. The fact that they were very close is recorded in all the palace chronicles, which is unusual for eastern world. After all, Muslims preach different kinds of love: love for God, for the ruler, for the country, but not romantic.

The lovers' happiness did not last long. An uprising broke out in one of the remote provinces, and Shah Jahan went to suppress it. On all campaigns, Mumtaz Mahal accompanied her husband. But this trip was very difficult for her - she was pregnant. The birth was very difficult, and on June 17, 1631, after the birth of her fourteenth child, she died.

Shah Jahan's grief cannot be described in words. He did not leave his chambers for 8 days, did not eat anything and did not talk to anyone. During this time he grew very old and turned grey.

The history of the Taj Mahal

According to legend, shortly before her death, Mumtaz Mahal asked her husband to build the most beautiful mausoleum in the world. This was the only thing that Shah Jahan could now do for his beloved...

Construction of the Taj Mahal began in 1632, six months after the death of Mumtaz Mahal, and lasted twelve years. Huge amounts of money were spent on this project. The Taj Mahal is the most expensive structure ever built. About 32 million rupees were spent on construction, which is currently comparable to billions of euros. The purest marble in the world, which was mined in the province of Rajasthan, was used to clad the building. Shah Jahan banned the use of this marble on other construction projects of the Indian Empire.

Due to construction, famine began in the country: part of the grain that was intended for the provinces was sent to the construction site to provide food for the workers.

Construction of the Taj Mahal was completed in 1643. After this, Shah Jahan's reign continued for quite a long time - until 1658. But it could not be called successful. The Empire found itself in a very difficult economic situation. The son of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal deprived his father of power. Shah Jahan spent the rest of his life in the Red Fort, from the window of which he constantly looked at the tomb of the woman who became the love of his life... The great Mughal ruler was buried next to his beloved wife.

Secrets of the construction of the Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal has been striking in its beauty for more than three hundred years. It can rightfully be called one of the most grandiose structures in the entire history of mankind. The ideas and solutions that were used in its construction are simply amazing! Especially considering that the Taj Mahal is several centuries old. But it is perfect in its beauty and precision. Where is the Taj Mahal and why is it worth visiting?

The Taj Mahal is located in the city of Agra (about 250 km from Delhi) on the banks of the Jamna River. This place was not the most convenient for the construction of such a structure: the soil is unstable due to the proximity of water. Therefore, a unique technology was used, which is still used today only in a slightly modified form (for example, the use of piles in the construction of skyscrapers in the UAE).

Workers dug deep wells that penetrated the groundwater layer. These wells were filled with stones and lime mortar. On this foundation, stone columns were erected, connected to each other by arches. The foundation slab of the building was placed on this structure.

Some optical illusions were used in the design of the Taj Mahal. To get to the Taj Mahal, you need to go through the entrance gate arch, through which the visitor first sees the building. As you approach the arch, the Taj Mahal seems to move away. Conversely, when the visitor leaves, he sees through the arch as if the structure is approaching. This creates the effect that a person takes the Taj Mahal with him.
It seems that the amazingly beautiful minarets of the Taj Mahal are located strictly vertically. But even here there was an optical trick! In fact, they are slightly angled away from the building. If they stood strictly vertically, it would seem that they were leaning towards the mausoleum. But there is another advantage hidden in the chosen inclination. During an earthquake, the minarets would collapse away from the Taj Mahal without hitting it.
The Taj Mahal combines the best elements of memorials built earlier by representatives of the Mughal dynasty: minarets, a dome, four corner towers and four portals.
The tomb, which is located under the main dome of the Taj Mahal, is not the real burial site of Mumtaz Mahal. Her real tomb is located in a secret marble hall under the mausoleum. This was done so that no one would disturb the peace of the “chosen one of the palace”. The Koran says that the peace of the deceased must not be disturbed.

Pietra is a fool

The decoration inside the Taj Mahal is made using the Pietra Dura technique, which came to India from Italy. Amazing stone flowers made of gems decorate the walls of the halls and other elements of the building. That's why the Taj Mahal looks like a jewelry box inside.

Nowadays you can see this art of stone cutting in Indian workshops. But technology has not changed at all over the past few centuries.

Religious symbolism of the Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal depicts the earthly and afterlife in accordance with the ideas of Islam. The whole complex is divided into 2 parts. The earthly part consists of bazaars and caravanserais, and the afterlife consists of Garden of Eden and mausoleum. The pond and entrance gate located between these two parts symbolize the transition from one world to another.

The color scheme of the Taj Mahal is also very symbolic. The buildings of the earthly part are made of red sandstone. White color is used only for the mausoleum and symbolizes spirituality and faith.

The mausoleum contains eight halls, which symbolize the eight gates of heaven described in the Koran and one central one - it houses the tomb of Mumtaz Mahal.

What tourists need to know

The entire complex is surrounded by a secure wall, and at the entrance visitors are thoroughly checked for the presence of prohibited items: food, lighters, cigarettes, chewing gum, mobile phones. So it's better to leave them at the hotel.

Photo: Wikipedia, Muhammad Mahdi Karim, Vetra,

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