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 own father Jahangir. But still, in 1627, Guram managed to seize the throne and receive the status of Shah Jahan - 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. A huge courtyard was built in front of the Taj Mahal mausoleum. 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. In this legend and in overall architecture The building shows Shah Jahan's love for symmetry. 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 recent 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 everything true beauty this building. 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.

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

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

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

Creator of the Taj Mahal

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mumtaz Mahal

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

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

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

Shah Jahan died eight years after the accession of his son Aurangzeb to the throne. “My father had great affection for my mother, let his final resting place be with her,” Aurangzeb declared and ordered his father to be buried next to Mumtaz Mahal.

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

Creation of the Taj Mahal

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

History hides who exactly owns the layout of the Taj Mahal. In the Islamic world at that time, the construction of buildings was attributed to the owner of the building, and not to its architect. Based on the sources, we can confidently say that a team of architects worked on the project. Like most great monuments, the Taj Mahal stands as a striking testament to the extreme wealth and excess of its creator. 20,000 workers toiled for 22 years to make Shah Jahan's fantasy come true. Sculptors arrived from Bukhara, calligraphers from Syria and Persia, inlay work was carried out by craftsmen from south india, stonemasons came from Balochistan. Materials were brought from all over India and Central Asia.

Architecture of Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal consists of the following complex of buildings:

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

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

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

Since the number “4” is considered a holy number in Islam, the layout of the Taj Mahal garden is based on the number four and its multiples. Canals and a central pond divide the garden into four parts. Each quarter section contains 16 flower beds (64 in total), separated by pedestrian paths. The trees in the garden are either of the cypress family (meaning death) or fruit trees (meaning life), all arranged in a symmetrical arrangement.

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

History of the Taj Mahal after construction

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

In 1857, during the Indian Rebellion, the Taj Mahal suffered even more damage. By the end of the 19th century it finally fell into disrepair. The area became overgrown without maintenance, and the graves were desecrated by vandals.

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

It is customary to criticize the British for their neglect of the Taj Mahal, but the Indians did not treat their treasure much better. As the population of Agra increased, the monument began to suffer from pollution environment and acid rain that discolored its white marble. In the late 1990s, the future of the monument was under serious threat until the Supreme Court of India ordered that particularly hazardous industries be moved outside the city.
The Taj Mahal is considered the best example Mughal architecture, combining elements of Persian, Indian, and Islamic architectural schools. In 1983, the monument was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List, calling it "a jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the world's most admired masterpieces."

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

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Address: India, Agra
Start of construction: 1632
Completion of construction: 1653
Architect: Ustad Ahmad Lahauri
Height: 72 m
Coordinates: 27°10"30.5"N 78°02"31.4"E

How many names have they called the famous mausoleum Taj Mahal? The famous Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore wrote about the Taj Mahal that this monument is “a tear sparkling on the face of eternity.”

Bird's eye view of the Taj Mahal

In 1983, the mausoleum was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and recognized as the best example of Hindu-Muslim architecture.

Taj Mahal - a legend of love frozen in marble

Facts and legends are closely intertwined in the history of the white marble masterpiece, but most historians agree that the tomb was built in the 1630s. about the order of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his untimely deceased wife Mumtaz Mahal. The lovers got married when the beautiful Mumtaz Mahal was 19 years old. Shah Jahan loved only her and did not notice other women. The emperor's wife became his closest adviser, participated in the conduct of state affairs and accompanied her husband on all military campaigns. The couple had 13 children, and during the birth of the 14th child, Mumtaz Mahal died. The emperor sat for a long time at his wife’s deathbed, tirelessly mourning her. Heartbroken, Shah Jahan turned gray, declared two years of mourning in the country and decided to build a mausoleum in Agra, the capital of the Mughal Empire, on the banks of the Jamna River, which has no equal on Earth, has never been and never will be. 22 many years construction continued. More than 20,000 people took part in it, among them builders from all over the empire, craftsmen from Venice, Persia, Central Asia and Arab East. According to legend, the ruler was so amazed by the grandeur and perfection of the tomb that he ordered the hands of the chief architect, Ustad-Isa, to be cut off so that he could not repeat his masterpiece.

View of the Taj Mahal from the garden

Some scientists believe that the mausoleum was designed by Shah Jahan himself, who was passionate about architecture. He gave his creation a name consonant with the name deceased wife— Taj Mahal (“Crown of the Palace”). On the other bank, the ruler was going to build the same mausoleum for himself, but from black marble, and the two buildings were to be connected by an openwork bridge made of gray marble, spanning the river. But the emperor's plans did not come true. A fierce struggle for power soon unfolded, during which Aurangzeb, the son of Shah Jahan, overthrew his father from the throne and imprisoned him in the Red Fort for 9 years, after which the prisoner died and was buried next to his wife in the Taj Mahal.

Architecture of the Taj Mahal

Today the white marble monument great love, the “gem of Indian architecture” is one of the most important landmarks in India. In 2007, the Taj Mahal was included in the list of the New Seven Wonders of the World, compiled after a survey of more than 100 million votes. The majestic five-domed mausoleum with 4 minarets in the corners rises to a 74-meter height on a white marble platform and, reflected in the motionless surfaces of an artificial reservoir, seems to float above the earth like a fairy-tale mirage.

Taj Mahal from the opposite bank of the Jamna River

Its walls, lined with polished marble, shine white on a bright sunny day, emit a lilac-pink glow at sunset, and moonlit night- silver. This marble was transported for construction 300 km from Rajasthan. Precious stones and gems are used in the inlay of the walls; The decor with quotes from the Koran is made of black marble. Malachite was brought from Russia, carnelian - from Baghdad, turquoise - from Tibet, sapphires and rubies - from Siam, lapis lazuli - from Ceylon, peridot - from the banks of the Nile. Symmetry is impeccably observed in the architecture of the ensemble. It is violated only by the tomb of Shah Jahan, which was built after his death, much later than the tomb of Mumtuz-Mazal, located strictly in the middle of the mausoleum.

Symbols hidden in the layout of the mausoleum

The Taj Mahal has many symbols. For example, in the park framing the architectural ensemble, cypress trees grow - the personification of sadness in Islam, and on the entrance gate are carved verses (revelations) from the Koran, addressed to believers and ending with the words “Enter My Paradise!” Thus, one can understand Shah Jahan’s plan - he built a paradise where his beloved would live. Modern researchers claim that, maddened by grief, the emperor decided to get closer to divine knowledge by creating paradise on Earth. At times Shah Jahan said that he was building a throne for Allah himself.

Fragment of the facade of the Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal is in danger of extinction

Currently, the creations of medieval architects are falling into decay. Cracks have appeared on the walls of the Taj Mahal, and it is losing its shining whiteness due to air pollution, and the minarets have deviated from the vertical axis by 3 mm and may collapse in the future. The Jumna River is becoming shallower, and this can lead to changes in the soil structure and subsidence of the foundation. And yet, despite all the threats of destruction, the magnificent Taj Mahal has existed for more than 350 years, attracting millions of guests from all over the world with its romantic legend and architectural perfection.

Taj Mahal - a recognized symbol eternal love, because it was created for the sake of the woman who won the heart of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. Mumtaz Mahal was his third wife and died giving birth to their fourteenth child. To perpetuate the name of his beloved, the padishah conceived a grandiose project to build a mausoleum. Construction took 22 years, but today it is an example of harmony in art, which is why tourists from all over the world dream of visiting the wonder of the world.

Taj Mahal and its construction

To build the world's greatest mausoleum, the padishah recruited more than 22,000 people from all over the empire and surrounding states. The best craftsmen worked on the mosque to bring it to perfection, maintaining complete symmetry according to the emperor's plans. Initially, the plot of land on which it was planned to install the tomb belonged to Maharaja Jai ​​Singh. Shah Jahan gave him a palace in the city of Agra in exchange for empty territory.

First, work was carried out to prepare the soil. The area, which exceeds a hectare in area, was dug up and the soil was replaced to ensure the stability of the future building. The foundation was dug wells, which were filled with rubble stone. During construction, white marble was used, which had to be brought not only from different corners countries, but even from neighboring countries. To solve the transportation problem, we had to specially invent carts and construct a lifting ramp.

Only the tomb and its platform took about 12 years to build; the remaining elements of the complex were built over the course of another 10 years. Over the years, the following structures have appeared:

• minarets;
• mosque;
• jawab;
• Big gate.

It is precisely because of this length of time that disputes often arise as to how many years it took to build the Taj Mahal and what year should be considered the moment of completion of the construction of the landmark. Construction began in 1632, and all work was completed by 1653, the mausoleum itself was ready in 1643. But no matter how long the work lasted, the result was a stunning temple in India, 74 meters high, surrounded by gardens with an impressive pool and fountains .

Features of the architecture of the Taj Mahal

Despite the fact that the structure is so culturally significant, there is still no reliable information about who actually was the main architect of the tomb. During the work, the most the best masters, the Council of Architects was created, and all decisions made came exclusively from the emperor. Many sources believe that the project to create the complex came from Ustad Ahmad Lakhauri. True, when discussing the question of who built the pearl architectural art, the name of the Turk Isa Muhammad Efendi often comes up.

However, it does not really matter who built the palace, since it is a symbol of the love of the padishah, who sought to create a unique tomb worthy of his faithful life partner. For this reason, white marble was chosen as the material, signifying the purity of the soul of Mumtaz Mahal. The walls of the tomb are decorated with precious stones arranged in intricate patterns to convey the amazing beauty of the emperor's wife.

The architecture intertwines several styles, among which notes from Persia, Islam and Central Asia can be traced. The main advantages of the complex are considered to be a chess floor, minarets 40 meters high, and an amazing dome. A special feature of the Taj Mahal is the use optical illusions. For example, inscriptions from the Koran written along the arches appear to be the same size throughout their entire height. In fact, the letters and the distance between them at the top are much greater than at the bottom, but a person going inside does not see this difference.

The illusions do not end there, since you need to observe the attraction in different times days. The marble from which it is made is translucent, so it appears white during the day, at sunset it acquires a pinkish tint, and at night under the moonlight it gives off a silvery appearance.

In Islamic architecture it is impossible to do without images of flowers, but how skillfully the mosaic monument was made cannot fail to impress. If you look closely, you can see dozens precious stones, inlaid only a couple of centimeters. Such details are found inside and outside, because the entire mausoleum is thought out to the smallest detail.

The entire structure has axial symmetry from the outside, so some parts were added only to maintain general view. The interior is also symmetrical, but narrower in relation to the tomb of Mumtaz Mahal. The general harmony is disturbed only by the tombstone of Shah Jahan himself, which after his death was installed next to his beloved. Although for tourists it does not matter what the symmetry looks like inside the room, because it is decorated so exquisitely that the eye is distracted, and this is considering the fact that most of the treasures were looted by vandals.

To build the Taj Mahal, it was necessary to install massive scaffolding, and it was decided to use durable brick rather than the usual bamboo. The craftsmen who worked on the project argued that it would take years to dismantle the created structure. Shah Jahan took a different route and announced that anyone could take as many bricks as they could carry. As a result, the structure was dismantled by city residents in a few days.

The story goes that upon completion of construction, the emperor ordered the eyes and hands of all the craftsmen who performed the miracle to be gouged out, so that they could not reproduce similar elements in other works. And although in those days many actually used such methods, it is believed that this is only a legend, and the padishah limited himself to a written assurance that the architects would not create a similar mausoleum.

On this interesting facts do not end, because opposite the Taj Mahal there should have been the same tomb for the Indian ruler, but made of black marble. This was briefly outlined in the documents of the son of the great padishah, but historians are inclined to believe that they were talking about the reflection of the existing tomb, which from the pool appears black, which also confirms the emperor’s passion for illusions.

There is a debate that the museum may collapse due to the Jumna river becoming shallower over the years. Recently, cracks were found on the walls, but this does not mean that the reason lies only in the river. The temple is located in a city where it is influenced by various environmental factors. Once snow-white marble takes on a yellow tint, so it has to be cleaned frequently with white clay.

For those who are interested in how the name of the complex is translated, it is worth saying that from Persian it means “greatest palace.” However, there is an opinion that the secret lies in the name of the chosen one of the Indian prince. The future emperor was in love with his cousin even before marriage and called her Mumtaz Mahal, i.e. Decoration of the Palace, and Taj, in turn, means “crown”.

Note to tourists

It is not worth listing what the great mausoleum is famous for, because it is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and is also considered a New Wonder of the World. During the excursion, they will definitely tell a romantic story about who the temple was built in honor of, and will also give brief description stages of construction and will reveal the secrets of which city has a similar structure.

To visit the Taj Mahal, you will need an address: in the city of Agra, you need to get to State Highway 62, Tajganj, Uttar Pradesh. It is allowed to take photographs on the territory of the temple, but only with ordinary equipment; professional equipment is strictly prohibited here. True, many tourists do beautiful photos outside the complex, you just need to know where it is observation deck, which offers a view from above. The city map usually indicates where you can see the palace and from which side the entrance to the complex is open.

The Taj Mahal is probably the most famous and most attractive tourist attraction in India. And it’s clear why - he’s stunningly handsome. He is a miracle. Many people want to see it, and from 3 to 5 million tourists visit it every year. Although from a formal point of view, the Taj Mahal represents not Indian, but Persian architecture. But it was he who became business card India.

As you know, the Taj Mahal was built by order of the padishah of the Mughal Empire, Shah Jahan, in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 14 births.

Yes, in today’s times I wouldn’t give birth to this child; there are already more than enough children. And they would live happily ever after.

But who then would have known about the 3rd wife of the fifth Mughal padishah. And so the inconsolable Shah Jahan (which means “ruler of the world”) ordered the construction of a tomb for his beloved. Which was built over more than 20 years (from 1630 to 1652) by approximately 20,000 workers under the guidance of architects from all over Muslim world. Up to a thousand elephants and many horses and oxen were used to transport goods in the construction.

Snow-white marble for construction was brought 300 km away, and other materials for the construction of the tomb were delivered not only from all over India, but also from abroad.

When the Taj Mahal was built, the problem of dismantling the scaffolding and auxiliary structures was solved, as it was after the construction of our Winter Palace. Namely, they allowed nearby residents to take these materials for free. Which was done very quickly short term(according to legend - in one night).

The names of the architects who led the creation of the miracle are known. These are Deshenov-Anu, Makramat Khan and Ustad Ahmad Lakhauri. The main author of the project is usually considered to be the Persian Lakhauri. According to another version, the main architect was the Turk Isa Muhammad Efendi.

There is a legend that the masters who performed the miracle were blinded and their hands were cut off so that they would not do anything similar. But it seems that this is just a legend, there is no evidence for it.

So much was spent on the construction of the Taj Mahal that the treasury was practically empty, and the huge and richest Mughal state began to decline. I doubt it. It hurts too much rich country India.

However, after the construction was completed, Shah Jahan was overthrown by his son Aurangzeb and imprisoned. The construction of a similar but black mausoleum, symmetrical to the white one, on the other bank of the Dzhanma River has been stopped. Many researchers say about the black mausoleum that it is just a legend. But you must admit, she is beautiful. And judging by the obsession of the creators of the mausoleum with the idea of ​​symmetry, it is plausible.

Aurangzeb, although he kept his father in prison for 20 years, still buried him next to Mumtaz Mahal, his beloved wife and his mother. And Shah Jahan's tomb, which is larger than Mumtaz Mahal's, is the only thing that is not symmetrical in the completely symmetrical Taj Mahal.

But the pitiful story that Shah Jahan spent the 20 years he spent imprisoned in the Red Fort looking out of the window at the mausoleum of his beloved is just a legend. Yes, he was imprisoned in the Red Fort, but not in Agra, but in, 250 km from Agra.

As the Mughal state declined, the Taj Mahal also began to slowly fall into disrepair.

The British, who captured India after the Mughals, although civilized and educated, slowly picked out semi-precious stones from the walls of the mausoleum. And with them, its golden spire was replaced with an exact bronze copy.

After India gained independence, the Taj Mahal became the most important museum, and in 1983 it was declared a world heritage UNESCO.

Due to excess concentrations of harmful substances in the air, marble darkens. But every year the Taj Mahal is cleaned, and, to my untrained eye, it looks great. There is concern about the shallowing of the Dzhanma River and, as a result, subsidence of the soil at the base of the mausoleum.

And one more thing. Hindu nationalists say that the Taj Mahal is not an Indian work, that it was built on the site of a destroyed Hindu temple and therefore should be demolished. How serious this is is evidenced by the fact that the Deputy Prime Minister of the Indian Republic had to visit the Taj Mahal and after that make a statement that it is very beautiful and, since it was built by Indians, it is an Indian creation.

Excursion to the Taj Mahal

The morning turned out to be somewhat foggy. Which was alarming, since they write on the Internet that in winter you may not see the Taj Mahal at all because of the fog. As one tourist wrote: “I could only touch it.”

We were taken by electric bus to the Taj Mahal ticket office. Cars with internal combustion engines cannot be used there so as not to pollute the air.

We bought tickets, for foreigners they cost 1000 rupees, this is the most expensive excursion on the “” tour.

We were checked no less strictly than when boarding an airplane, with passing through a frame and feeling.

At the entrance there is a huge red gate with 11 small towers. This characteristic feature Muslim buildings in India: the walled courtyard is entered through gates with turrets.

After passing through a relatively small arch, you finally come out to the Mausoleum. Here is the first miracle: when you walk through the arch, the Taj Mahal seems huge and occupies the entire opening, but when you come out, you see that it is far away and it seems small. This is where the first “ah” appears.

To get to the Taj Mahal you walk along an elongated rectangular pool, the bottom of which is painted blue. That's why the water appears blue. The water, we must pay tribute, is transparent, which is very difficult to achieve in tropical conditions. But the bottom of the pool is not very clean.

The paths leading to the mausoleum are lined with low cypress trees and trimmed lawns are laid out along them. They say that initially rose flower beds were laid out here, and lawns are already an English innovation. The English know nothing more beautiful than smooth lawns, but here, I think, roses would be better suited.

The Taj Mahal is best viewed from a distance. What can I say: a miracle is a miracle, it needs to be seen.

Before going up to the mausoleum itself, you need to put on the white shoe covers provided when purchasing a ticket.

When you approach, the seams between the marble blocks become visible, the minarets look like ordinary lighthouses. The Taj Maahal is not perceived in parts, it does not fall apart. It needs to be seen in its entirety.

From the high platform paved with marble slabs around the mausoleum one can see the unsightly Jumna River with muddy water. The river from the side of the mausoleum and from the opposite bank is fenced with barbed wire. When we were there, a dead cow lay in the water near the shore. They say that it is now impossible to admire the Taj Mahal from the other side. “The army lives there,” the guide said.

But the Taj Mahal is also beautiful nearby. The patterns of marble and mosaics made of semi-precious stones are impressive. The walls are also decorated with elegant Arabic inscriptions.

You are not allowed to take photographs inside the mausoleum. But I didn’t understand this and took a few shots until they told me. However, there is nothing special inside. There are 2 tombstones there, the larger one for the Shah, the smaller one for Mumtaz Mahal. Light penetrates through the openwork marble lattices, but it is not enough. It's semi-dark inside.

On the sides of the mausoleum there are 2 more symmetrical buildings. One is a working mosque, the other is a caravanserai, or, in Russian, a hotel. They are also not bad, but there is no comparison with the mausoleum.