Why is the Taj Mahal so named? Taj Mahal is a symbol of love
But one of them people will always remember. Not for military victories, but for the exciting story of his love, rare in strength and depth. The Taj Mahal is a true temple of the great love of Padishah Shah Janan and his wife.
The mausoleum of the Taj Mahal is located in India, in the city of Agra. The monument combines the best examples of Muslim, Persian and Indian architectural thought. This monument is one of the 7 wonders of the world and business card country. Every year, millions of tourists admire this outstanding creation of human genius. The English poet and journalist Edwin Arnold called the monument "the love sufferings of the emperor embodied in stone", and Rabindranath Tagore - "a tear on the cheek of eternity."
It is especially interesting that this Indian miracle looks different depending on the time of day and the weather. At dawn, the color of the Taj Mahal changes from milky to silver and then pink. Snow-white at noon, it turns golden at sunset. BUT in rainy weather, marble seems translucent.
History of the Taj Mahal
From the 16th century India was ruled by the Mughals. Their fifth padishah (emperor) Shah Jahan had, as is customary among Muslims, his own harem. His third wife in 1612 was Arjumand Banu. Shocked by the beauty of the daughter-in-law, the father-in-law during the wedding called her Mumtaz Mahal - "The decoration of the palace." According to one version, Shah Jahan accidentally saw this poor girl at the bazaar. According to other sources, she was the daughter of the first vizier.
According to the French traveler and doctor Francois Bernier, who lived in India in those years, after the wedding, other women ceased to exist for Shah Jahan. The couple were inseparable. Mumtaz Mahal was present at all state ceremonies, and even accompanied her husband on military campaigns. In one of them, in 1631, Mumtaz Mahal died while giving birth to their 14th child.
Shah Jahan took the death of his beloved wife extremely hard. He turned gray in one week, did not want to see anyone, and was on the verge of suicide. Six months later, he moved the temporarily buried body to Agra, where he began the creation of a mausoleum for the late wife, which had no equal on earth. The planned structure was conceived as beautiful, like Mumtaz Mahal was, and majestic, like the love between her and Shah Jahan.
The construction of the mausoleum-mosque lasted 22 years. Over 20 thousand people were employed in it. The best builders, sculptors and calligraphers were invited from Persia, the Ottoman Empire and Europe. Most researchers believe that the Persian architect Ustad Isa Muhammad supervised the work. The mausoleum was named Taj Mahal - "The Crown of Palaces".
A few years after the completion of construction, Shah Janan was overthrown by his son Aurangzeb, and placed in the Red Fort of Agra under arrest. The consolation for the former ruler was the opportunity to see his creation from the window. And in 1666, Aurangzeb fulfilled the last request of his deceased father to bury him next to his beloved wife in the Taj Mahal.
The most beautiful architectural and historical monument was not always appreciated. Most of the British colonial period turned out to be unfavorable for him. So, in the XIX century. the British turned it into a place of entertainment with dancing. Guests resting here (not only the British, but also the Indians) often simply robbed the decor of the facade and interior. The vandals did not spare even the tombs, which lost many treasures.
From the complete decline of the Taj Mahal was saved by Lord Curzon, the Governor-General of India, who knew how to appreciate the beautiful (unlike his predecessors). By his order, at the beginning of the XX century. extensive restoration of the monument was carried out. She allowed the building to return to its former splendor. And in 2002, they restored its original color, using an ancient Indian women's cosmetic recipe for cleaning. At the same time, the movement of any transport, with the exception of electric vehicles, was banned around the palace.
Architecture of the Taj Mahal
It is made up of:
- Darwaza - the main gate;
- Rauza - mausoleum;
- Masjid - mosque;
- Naqqar Khana - guest house;
- Bageecha - garden.
The complex opens with massive marble gates with graceful arches, towers and small 22 (by the number of years of construction) domes. A saying from the Koran is carved on the gate, ending with the words of the Almighty, addressed to the soul of the righteous, “Enter My Paradise!”. Behind the entrance is a 300-meter garden with an irrigation canal and a marble pool. The central building of the Taj Mahal complex - the mausoleum, is located in the depths of the garden, which is the road to it.
The white marble mausoleum is built on an elevated stone platform. The symmetrical building with an arched opening reaches a height of 74 m. It is crowned with a large 35-meter onion-shaped dome, surrounded by four small domes. Gilded decorations are installed on their tops, and on the main dome is a bronze Islamic crescent (originally it was gold). When observed, the building seems airy due to the same width and height, huge niches that cut through the facade, and the main dome, as if pulling the entire structure upwards.
Around - four 40-meter minarets, slightly deflected outward. This was done specifically in case of an earthquake in order to secure the mausoleum. On either side of it are a mosque and a symmetrical guest house repeating its shape. The mosque is most beautiful at sunset, and the guest house is at its most beautiful at dawn.
The walls of the mausoleum are painted with floral and geometric ornaments traditional for Muslim religious buildings. They are inlaid with semi-precious stones - jasper, jade and yellow marble. The craftsmanship of the creators is amazing: some decorative elements measuring 3 cm contain more than fifty precious inlays. The space around the arched openings is covered with inscriptions with suras from the Koran. They all seem to be the same size. This optical illusion is created by increasing the font size and letter spacing as you move away from the floor.
Under the main dome are the cenotaphs (false gravestones) of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan, decorated with ornaments and inlays. Shah Jahan's sarcophagus, built later, is the only asymmetric component in the entire complex. The walls of the burial hall are covered with ornaments of stone flowers. The real graves are located under the main hall inside the basement, and are closed to visitors.
The predominant part of the territory of the complex is occupied by a garden - a symbol of paradise, where Mumtaz Mahal ascended. The layout is dominated by the Muslim sacred number 4. The central reservoir with canals divides the garden into 4 parts. Each of them has 16 flower beds separated by footpaths. Symmetrically planted cypress trees symbolize death, and fruit trees - life. Dark cypress trees enhance the brilliance of the marble. The water surface not only copies the beautiful monument and the sky, but also adds a soft backlight from below.
Travel to India
Information for tourists
There are several ways to get from Delhi to Agra, located 200 km from the capital:
- Shatabdi Express train departing New Delhi Station at 6:00 am; travel time - 2 hours, ticket price for cars of different classes - 400 INR - 750 INR (Indian rupees);
- by Taj-Express train from Nizamuddin Station at 07:15, arriving in Agra in 3 hours;
- by express bus in 3 hours;
- by taxi for 2000 INR.
From Agra to the Taj Mahal can be reached by rickshaw or taxi. It is recommended to use the services of public prepaid taxis, which are distinguished by a moderate price - 150 INR, and decency of drivers. A ticket for the trip must be bought at the box office, located directly opposite the exit from railway station Agri.
The Taj Mahal is open to the public daily, except for Fridays and the month of Ramadan, from 6 am to 7 pm. In the evening, from 20:30 to midnight, the monument can be visited for 5 days during the full moon period. Filming with amateur equipment is allowed, but only from the entrance: they will cost 25 INR. Ticket for INR 750 must be purchased the day before the visit at 22, The Mall Road at the Archaeological Survey of India office. Rickshaw drivers know this place as Taj Mahal Office.
Inside the mausoleum there are two tombs - the shah and his wife. In fact, their burial place is in the same place as the tombs, but underground. The time of construction refers to approximately 1630-1652. The Taj Mahal is a five-domed structure 74 meters high on a platform, with 4 minarets at the corners (they are slightly tilted away from the tomb so as not to damage it in case of destruction), which is adjacent to a garden with fountains and a pool. The walls are made of polished translucent marble (which was brought to the construction site 300 km away) with inlaid gemstones. Turquoise, agate, malachite, carnelian, etc. were used. More than 20,000 craftsmen from all over the empire were invited to build the complex. A twin building was supposed to be located on the other side of the river, but it was not completed.
The mausoleum has numerous symbols hidden in its architecture and layout. So, for example, on the gate through which Taj Mahal visitors enter the park complex surrounding the mausoleum, a quotation from the Koran is carved, addressed to the righteous and ending with the words "enter my paradise." Considering that the words “paradise” and “garden” are spelled the same in the Mughal language of that time, one can understand the intention of Shah Jahan - building a paradise and placing his beloved within it.
A beautiful story about the history of the creation of the Taj Mahal
http://migranov.ru/agrastory.php
For 22 years (1630-1652), more than twenty thousand people, including the best architects and architects of India, Persia, Turkey, Venice and Samarkand, built this airy lace marble monument the love of the Moslem king of the Moghuls Shah Jahan ("master of the world") for his wife Arjumand Bano Begum, who received the name Mumtaz Mahal during the coronation, which means "the chosen one of the court".
They got married when she was 19 years old. He only loved young Mumtaz and did not notice other women. She gave birth to her master 14 children and died giving birth to the last child.
For a long time, the Taj Mahal was the tallest building in India, its height, together with the main dome, is 74 meters.
Unfortunately, this recognized masterpiece of world architecture is gradually falling into decay - there are no more doors made of silver, a parapet of gold, fabric studded with pearls on the tomb of the beautiful Mumtaz. Scientists believe that the towers of the minarets tilted dangerously and could fall.
And yet, this miracle has existed for 355 years.
This is the greatest monument of India, which was built in the name of love and extraordinary devotion to a woman. amazing beauty. In its grandeur, it has no analogues in the whole world and reflects a rich period in the history of its state, which captured an entire era.
The building, built of white marble, was the last gift of Emperor Shah Jahan to his late wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The emperor ordered to find the best craftsmen who would build a mausoleum so beautiful that it had no analogues in the world.
To date, the Taj Mahal is on the list of the seven most majestic monuments in the world. Built of white marble, adorned with gold and semi-precious stones, the Taj Mahal has become one of the finest buildings in architecture. It's hard not to recognize it and is the most photographed structure in the world.
The Taj Mahal has become not only the pearl of the entire Muslim culture of India, but also one of the recognized world masterpieces. For many centuries it has inspired artists, musicians and poets who have tried to translate the invisible magic of this building into paintings, music and poems.
Since the 17th century, people have crossed entire continents on purpose just to see and enjoy this truly fabulous monument of love. Even centuries later, it still captivates visitors with its architecture, which tells a mysterious story of deep love.
Taj Mahal, translated as "Palace with a dome", and today is considered the most preserved, architecturally beautiful mausoleum in the world. Some call it "an elegy in marble", for others the Taj Mahal is an eternal symbol of unfading love.
The Indian poet Rabindanath Tagore called it "a tear on the cheek of eternity", and the English poet Edwin Arnold said - "this is not a work of architecture, like other buildings, but the emperor's love torment, embodied in living stones."
Creator of the Taj Mahal
Shah Jahan was the fifth Mughal emperor, and in addition to the Taj Mahal, he left behind many beautiful monuments of architecture that are now associated with the face of India. Such as the Pearl Mosque located in Agra, Shahjahanabad (now Old Delhi), Divan-i-Khas and Divan-i-Am, which is in the citadel of the Red Fort (Delhi). And also, considered the most luxurious throne in the world, the Peacock Throne of the Great Mongols. But the most famous was, of course, the Taj Mahal, which immortalized his name forever.
Shah Jahan had several wives. In 1607, he was engaged to a young girl Arjumanad Banu Begam, who at that time was only 14 years old, five years later the wedding took place. During the ceremony, Shah Jahan's father, Jahangir, named his daughter-in-law Mumtaz Mahal, which means "Pearl of the Palace".
According to the chronicles of Kazvani, "the emperor's relations with other wives were simply formal, and all the attention, favor, intimacy and deep affection that Jahan felt for Mumtaz were a thousand times stronger in relation to his other wives."
Shah Jahan, "Lord of the World", was a great patron of crafts and commerce, art and gardens, science and architecture. He rose to the head of the empire in 1628 after the death of his father and rightfully earned the reputation of a ruthless ruler. After a series of successful military campaigns, Emperor Shah Jahan significantly increased the territory of the Mongol Empire. At the peak of his reign, he was considered the most powerful man on the planet, and the wealth and splendor of his court amazed all European travelers.
But his personal life was overshadowed in 1631, when his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, died during childbirth. As the legend goes, Jahan promised his dying wife that he would build the most beautiful mausoleum that could not be compared to anything else in the world. Whether it was so or not, Shah Jahan embodied his wealth and all his love for Mumtaz in the creation of the promised monument.
Shah Jahan until the end of his days looked at his beautiful creation, but not as a ruler, but as a prisoner. He was imprisoned in the Red Fort in Agra by his own son Aurangzeb, who in 1658 seized the throne. The only consolation for the former emperor was the opportunity to see the Taj Mahal through the window. And before his death, in 1666, Shah Jahan asked to fulfill his last wish: to carry him to the window overlooking the Taj Mahal, where he whispered the name of his beloved for the last time.
Mumtaz married on 10 May 1612 after five years of engagement. This date was chosen for the couple by court astrologers, claiming that this is the most auspicious day for marriage. And they were right, the marriage was happy for both Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal. Even during his lifetime, all the poets praised the extraordinary beauty, harmony and boundless mercy of Mamtaz Mahal.
Traveling with Shah Jahan throughout the Mughal Empire, she became his reliable life partner. Only war could separate them, but in the future, even war could not separate them. Mumtaz Mahal became a support and consolation for the emperor, as well as an inseparable companion of her husband until her death.
During the 19 years of her marriage, Mumtaz gave birth to 14 children to the emperor, but the last birth was fatal for her. Mumtaz dies in childbirth and her body is temporarily buried in Burhanpur.
The chroniclers of the imperial court paid unusually much attention to the experiences of Shah Jahan in connection with the death of his wife. The emperor was so inconsolable that after the death of Mumtaz, he spent a whole year in seclusion. When he came to, he no longer looked like the old emperor. His hair turned gray, his back bent and his face aged. He did not listen to music for several years, stopped wearing richly decorated clothes and jewelry, and also used perfume.
Shah Jahan died eight years after his son Aurangzeb seized the throne. "My father had great affection for my mother, so let his last resting place be near her," said Aurangzeb and ordered that his father be buried next to Mumtaz Mahal.
There is a legend according to which Shah Jahan was going to build an exact copy of the Taj Mahal on the other side of the Yamuna River, but from black marble. But these plans were not destined to turn into reality.
Construction of the Taj Mahal
The construction of the Taj Mahal began in December 1631. It was the fulfillment of Shah Jahan's promise given to Mumtaz Mahal in the last moments of her life that he would build a monument that could match her beauty. The construction of the central mausoleum was completed in 1648, and the entire complex was completed in 1653, five years later.
No one knows who owns the layout of the Taj Mahal. Previously, in the Islamic world, the construction of buildings was attributed not to the architect, but to the customer of the construction. Based on a variety of sources, it can be argued that a team of architects worked on the project.
Like so many other great monuments, the Taj Mahal is a clear testament to the excessive wealth of its creator. For 22 years, 20,000 people worked to make Shah Jahan's fantasy come true. Sculptors came from Bukhara, calligraphers from Persia and Syria, inlay was made by craftsmen from south india, stonecutters arrived from Balochistan, and materials were brought from all over Central Asia and India.
Architecture of the Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal consists of the following buildings:
- Main entrance (Darwaza)
- Mausoleum (Rauza)
- Gardens
- Mosque
- Guest house
The mausoleum is surrounded on one side by a guest house, and on the other by a mosque. The building, made of white marble, is surrounded by four minarets, which are tilted to the outside so that the destruction of the central dome does not damage it. The complex stands in a garden with a huge pool, which reflects a copy of the beauty of the Taj Mahal.
Taj Mahal garden
The Taj Mahal is surrounded by a beautiful garden. For the Islamic style, the garden is not just part of the complex. Muhammad's followers lived in vast arid lands, so this walled garden represented Heaven on Earth. The territory of the garden occupies most of the complex 300x300 m, with the total area of 300x580 m.
Since the number 4 is considered a sacred number in Islam, the whole structure of the Taj Mahal garden is based on the number 4 and its multiples. The central pond and canals divide the garden into 4 equal parts. In each of these parts there are 16 flower beds, which are separated by footpaths.
The trees in the garden are either fruit trees, which signify life, or the cypress family, which signifies death. The Taj Mahal itself is not located in the center of the garden, but on its northern edge. And in the center of the garden there is an artificial reservoir, reflecting the mausoleum in its waters.
History of the Taj Mahal after construction
Somewhere in the middle of the 19th century, the Taj Mahal turned into a place for a pleasant holiday. The girls danced on the terrace, the guest house with the mosque was rented out for wedding ceremonies. The British and Indians plundered the semi-precious stones, tapestries, rich carpets and silver doors that once adorned this mausoleum. Many vacationers took a hammer with them, in order to make it more convenient to extract pieces of carnelian and agate from stone flowers.
For some time it seemed that the Taj Mahal might disappear, like the Mongols themselves. In 1830, the Governor-General of India, William Bentinck, was going to dismantle the monument and sell its marble. It is said that only the absence of buyers prevented the destruction of the mausoleum.
The Taj Mahal suffered even more during the Indian uprising in 1857, and at the end of the 19th century it completely fell into disrepair. The graves were desecrated by vandals and the area was completely overgrown with no maintenance.
The decline lasted for many years, until Lord Kenzon (Governor General of India) organized a massive restoration project for the monument, which was completed in 1908. The building has been completely renovated and the garden and canals restored. All this helped restore the Taj Mahal to its former glory.
Many scold the British for their bad attitude towards the Taj Mahal, but the Indians did not treat him better either. As the population of Agra increased, the structure began to suffer from pollution-driven acid rain, which discolored its white marble. The future of the monument was in jeopardy until, in the late 1990s, Supreme Court India did not decide to move all especially dangerous hazardous industries outside the city.
The Taj Mahal is the finest example of Mongolian architecture. It combines elements of Islamic, Persian and Indian architectural schools. In 1983, the monument was listed world heritage UNESCO, and was called "the pearl of all Muslim art in India and a masterpiece of world heritage, causing universal admiration."
The Taj Mahal has become a symbol of India for tourists, which annually attracts about 2.5 million travelers. It is considered one of the most recognizable structures in the world, and the history behind its construction makes it the greatest monument of love ever built in the world.
The Taj Mahal is an architectural monument of the Mughal style, which combines elements of Persian, Indian and Islamic architectural styles. It was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died while giving birth to her fourteenth child (later Shah Jahan himself was buried here). The Taj Mahal is located in the western part of the state of Uttar Pradesh, India, and is represented by a whole architectural complex, and not just the well-known marble mausoleum. The building began to be built around 1632 and completed in 1653, employing 20,000 artisans and craftsmen. In 1983, the Taj Mahal became a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is called "the pearl of Muslim art in India, one of the universally recognized masterpieces of heritage admired throughout the world."
The Taj Mahal is located south of the city walls of the city of Agra. Shah Jahan exchanged this plot, owned by Maharaja Jai Singh I, for a large palace in the center of Agra. The construction of the foundations and the mausoleum lasted about 12 years, and the rest of the complex was completed after another 10 years. Since the complex was built in several phases, there are several completion dates. For example, the mausoleum was built in 1643, but work on the rest of the complex was completed in 1653. The estimated cost of building the Taj Mahal varies depending on sources and methods of calculation. The approximate total cost of construction is estimated at 32 million rupees, in today's money it is several trillion dollars.
Construction began with excavation work on a site of approximately three acres (12,000 m2), the main part of which was leveling and raising the surface of the area 50 meters above the level of the river. Wells were dug at the location of the mausoleum, which, filled with rubble stone, formed the foundations of the structure. Instead of a scaffolding of tied bamboo, large-scale scaffolding of bricks was erected and surrounded the tomb. They were so impressive in size that the masters in charge of construction were afraid that it could take years to dismantle them. According to legend, Shah Jahan voiced that anyone can take and leave as many bricks as they wish, and the forests were dismantled by the peasants almost overnight. A 15 km long rammed earth ramp was built to transport marble and other materials. Groups of 20-30 oxen pulled the blocks on specially designed wagons. Water for the needs of the construction was extracted from the river using a rope-bucket system using animal strength and merged into a large tank, from where it rose to a distribution tank. From there, it was distributed over three auxiliary tanks and transported through pipes to the construction complex.
Building materials were purchased in many parts of India and Asia. Over 1,000 elephants were used to transport building materials during construction. Brilliant white marble from Rajasthan, jasper from the Punjab, jade and crystal from China, turquoise from Tibet, lapis lazuli from Afghanistan, sapphires from Sri Lanka and carnelian from Arabia. In total, 28 kinds of different precious and semi-precious stones are embedded in the white marble of the Taj Mahal.
The name Taj Mahal can be translated as "The Greatest Palace" (where taj is a crown and mahal is a palace). The name Shah Jahan can be translated as "Ruler of the World" (where shah is the ruler, jahan is the world, the universe). The name Mumtaz Mahal can be translated as "The Chosen One of the Palace" (where mumtaz is the best, mahal is a palace, courtyard). Similar meanings of words have been preserved in Arabic, Hindi and some other languages.
More than 20,000 people from all over North India took part in the construction. Among the group of 37 people who were responsible for the artistic image of the complex were sculptors from Bukhara, calligraphers from Syria and Persia, inlay craftsmen from southern India, masons from Balochistan, as well as a specialist in the construction of towers and a master in carving marble ornaments.
History has preserved very few names of masters and architects, since at that time in the Islamic world, patrons, and not architects, were generally praised. It is known from contemporary sources that the construction was supervised by a large team of architects. There are references that Shah Jahan himself personally participated in the construction more than any other Mughal ruler before him. He held daily meetings with architects and foremen, and is said by historians to often suggest ideas or correct ideas proposed by them. Two architects are mentioned by name: Ustad Ahmad Lahauri and Mir Abdul Karim.
Notable builders of the Taj Mahal are:
Ustad Ahmad Lahauri from Iran - main architector. Mir Abdul Karim from Shiraz (Iran) is one of the main leaders. Ismail Afandi from the Ottoman Empire - the builder of the main dome of the mausoleum. Iranians Ustad Isa and Isa Muhamed Efendi are considered to have played a key role in the architectural design. Puru from Benarus (Iran) is the supervising architect. Gazim Han from Lahore - cast a gold tip for the mausoleum. Shiranjilal from Delhi is the chief sculptor and master of mosaics. Amanat Han from Shiraz (Iran) is the chief calligrapher. Mohamed Hanif, Chief Masonry Supervisor. Mukarimat Han from Shiraz (Iran) is the General Manager. 
The main elements of the architectural complex of the Taj Mahal.
The architectural style of the Taj Mahal incorporates and expands on the building traditions of Islam, Persia, India and the Mughals (although modern research on the architecture of this monument points to French influence, especially in the interior). The overall design is based on the architecture of a series of Timurid and Mughal buildings, including the Gur-Emir (Tomb of Tamerlane), Itimad-ud-Daulah (I'timād-ud-Daulah) and Jama Masjid (Jama Masjid) in Delhi. Under the patronage of Shah Jahan, the Mughal architectural style reached a new level. Before the construction of the Taj Mahal, the main building material was red sandstone, but the emperor promoted the use of white marble and semi-precious stones.
The tomb of Itimad-Ud-Daula (1622-1628), also called Mini Taj (Baby Taj), is located in the city of Agra. The architecture of the mausoleum resembles a smaller Taj Mahal.
Plan of the Taj Mahal: 
1. Moonlight Garden 2. Yamuna River 3. Minarets 4. Mausoleum - Mosque 6. Guest House (Jawab) 7. Garden (Charbagh) 8. Great Gate (safe access) 9. Outer Yard 10. Bazaar (Taj Ganji)
Moonlight Garden.
To the north of the Taj Mahal complex, across the Yamuna River, there is another garden belonging to the complex. It is made in the typical style of Agra, and is one with the embankment on the north side of the river. The width of the garden is identical to the width of the main part of the complex. The whole design of the garden is focused on its center, which is a large octagonal pool that serves as a kind of mirror for the Taj Mahal. Since the time of the Great Mughals, the garden has experienced numerous floods that devastated most of it. Of the four sandstone towers located in the border corners of the garden, only one has survived, located in the southeastern part. There are remains of two buildings located on the northern and southern parts of the garden, and it is assumed that these are garden buildings. On the north side, there was a waterfall that flows into the pool. The water supply comes from aqueducts on the west side.
Mausoleum.
The center of attention and the main element of the Taj Mahal complex is the mausoleum of white marble, 68 meters high. It is located on a square-shaped elevation with a side of 100 meters, and a height of about 7 meters. There are four minarets in the four corners of this square. The mausoleum was built in accordance with strict rules of symmetry, and is a square with a side of 56.6 meters, with cut corners, in which arched niches are placed. The structure is almost perfectly symmetrical about four axes, and consists of several floors: a basement floor with the actual tombs of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz, a main floor that contains identical cenotaphs of the graves below, and roof terraces.
The Taj Mahal has an optical focus. If you move with your back to the exit, facing the Taj Mahal, it will seem that this temple is huge compared to the trees and the environment.
Spire: its height is 10 meters, it was originally built of gold, but after being plundered by the British colonialists, it was replaced by a bronze copy. Lotus: carved contours in the upper part of the dome, in the form of a lotus. Main dome: also called “amrud”, height 75 meters. Drum: cylindrical base of the dome. Guldasta: decorative spiers along the edges of the walls. Additional domes (Chatri): elevations above the balconies in the form of small domes. Framing: panel closure on arches. Calligraphy: Stylized Quranic verses above the main arch. Niches: in the four corners of the mausoleum there are six niches located on two levels. Panels: decorative panels framing the main walls. 
The entrance to the mausoleum is made by four huge arches, in the upper part, which is a cut dome. The top of each arch extends beyond the roof with an addition to the façade.
In general, the building is crowned with five domes, located quite symmetrically, like the rest of the complex. All domes have decorations in the form of lotus leaves in their upper part. The largest of them (18 meters in diameter and 24 in height) is located in the center, and the other four smaller ones (8 meters in diameter) are placed around the central one. The height of the central dome is emphasized and additionally increased by a cylindrical element (drum), which is exposed above the roof to a height of 7 meters, and on which the dome rests. This element, however, is almost invisible, from view it is covered by the protruding part of the entrance arches. Thus, it seems that the dome is much larger than it actually is. Tall decorative spiers are built into the corners of the outer walls, which also provide a visual accent to the height of the dome.
The thickness of the walls of the mausoleum is 4 meters. The main building material is red sandstone and brick. Marble, in fact, is made of a small outer layer with a thickness of only 15 centimeters.
The hierarchical sequence of the whole complex eventually converges in the main hall containing the cenotaphs of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal. The cenotaph of Mumtaz is set in the geometric center of the building. The cenotaphs are surrounded by an octagonal screen consisting of eight marble panels with intricate carvings. The interior decoration is made entirely of marble, and decorated with precious stones arranged in concentric octagons. This arrangement is typical of Islamic and Indian culture, which is important spiritual and astrological subjects. The walls from the inside are richly decorated with plant flowers, inscriptions and ornaments, symbolizing the resurrection in the Garden of Eden.
Muslim traditions forbid decorating graves and bodies, so Shah Jahan and Mumtaz are buried in a simpler room located below the hall with cenotaphs. The cenotaph of Mumtaz measures 2.5 by 1.5 m and is decorated with inscriptions extolling her character. The cenotaph of Shah Jahan is located on the western side of the cenotaph of Mumtaz and is the only asymmetric element of the entire complex.
Mosque and guest house (Jawab).
On the western and eastern sides of the mausoleum, with facades to it, there is a mosque and a guest house (Jawab - translated as "answer", it is believed that this building was built for symmetry with the mosque, and was used as a guest house), measuring 56 × 23 meters and 20 meters high. Unlike the mausoleum, built of white marble, these structures are built of red sandstone, but located on the same hill as the mausoleum with minarets. These buildings are completed by 3 domes, where the central dome is slightly larger than the others, and 4 octagonal towers in the corners. In front of each of the two buildings is a water tank: in front of the mosque, water is needed for the ritual of washing.
However, there are some differences between the two buildings. For example, in the mosque there is a niche indicating the direction to Mecca (mihrab), in guest house she is not. Another difference is how the floors are made in these buildings, if in the mosque the floor was laid out in the form of outlines of 569 prayer rugs, then in the guest house there are inscriptions quoting the Koran on the floor.
Minarets.
The minarets look like a truncated cone 41.6 meters high and are located on the same marble terrace as the mausoleum. They are slightly inclined outward so that in case of a strong earthquake and collapse, the mausoleum would not be damaged. The minarets are slightly lower than the central dome of the mausoleum, and, as it were, emphasize its grandeur. Like the mausoleum, they are completely covered with white marble, but the supporting structure is made of brick.
They were designed as active minarets, a traditional element of mosques. Each minaret is actually divided into three equal parts by two rows of balconies. In the upper part of the tower there is another row of balconies, and the structure is completed by a dome similar to those installed on the mausoleum. All domes have the same decorative elements in the form of a lotus and a gilded spire. Inside each minaret, in its entire length, there is a large spiral staircase.
Garden.
The garden is a square with a side of 300 m, divided into 4 equal parts by two channels that intersect in the middle, and has a view characteristic of the time of the Great Moghuls. Inside, there are flower gardens, shady streets and water channels that create a striking effect, reflecting the image of the building behind them. Each square formed by the channels, in turn, is divided into 4 parts by paved paths. It is said that 400 trees were planted in each of these small squares.
To correct the fact that the mausoleum is located in the northern part of the garden, and not in its center, a pool was placed at the intersection of two channels (in the center of the garden and the entire complex), which reflects the image of the mausoleum. On the south side of the pool, there is a bench in the center: this is an invitation to the visitor to admire the entire complex from an ideal vantage point.
The structure of the garden goes back to the very vision of paradise at that time: it was believed that paradise is an ideal garden abundantly irrigated with water. The idea of the garden as a symbol of paradise is reinforced by the inscriptions on the Great Gate, inviting you to enter heaven.
Most of the gardens of the Mughal period were rectangular in shape with a tomb or pavilion in the center. The architectural complex of the Taj Mahal is unusual in that the main element (the mausoleum) is located at the end of the garden. With the opening of the Moonlight Garden on the other side of the Yamuna River, the Archaeological Survey of India began to interpret this to mean that the Yamuna River itself was included in the design of the garden and was to be regarded as one of the rivers of Paradise. The similarity in the layout of the garden and its architectural features to the Shalimar Gardens suggests that they may have been designed by the same architect, Ali Mardan.
It is very similar to the Taj Mahal both in Mughal origin and in appearance Humayun's tomb in Delhi. This tomb of the Mughal emperor was also built as a sign of great love - only not a husband for his wife, but a wife for her husband. Despite the fact that Humayun's tomb was built earlier, and Shah Jahan, while building his masterpiece, was guided by the architectural experience of Humayun's tomb, it is little known compared to the Taj Mahal.
Great Gate.
The Great Gates are of particular importance in Islamic architecture: they symbolize the transition point between the hustle and bustle of the external material world and the spiritual world, where peace and spiritual peace reign.
The Great Gate is a rather large structure (41 by 34 meters and 23 meters high), divided into three floors, built of red sandstone and marble. The entrance has the shape of a pointed arch, which is located in the center of the building. The gate, like all other parts of the complex, is designed to be symmetrical. The height of the gate is exactly half the height of the mausoleum.
From above, the great gate is crowned with 22 small domes, arranged in two rows along the inner and outer edges of the gate. Each of the four corners of the structure has big towers thus repeating the architecture of the mausoleum. The Great Gate is adorned with quotations from the Qur'an in carefully chosen places.
Courtyard.
Courtyard (Dzilauhana) - which literally means the front of the house. It served as a place where visitors could leave their horses or elephants in front of the entrance to the main part of the complex. Two smaller copies of the main mausoleum are located in the southern corners of the courtyard. They are located on a small platform, which can be reached by stairs. To date, it is not clear who is buried in these graves, but it is known that they are women. Two small buildings were built in the northern corners of the courtyard; they served as housing for visitors to the mausoleum and believers. These structures were destroyed in the 18th century, but were restored in the early 20th century, after which (until 2003) the building in the east served as a place for a gardener, and the west as a barn.
Bazaar (Taj Ganji).
The bazaar (market) was built as part of the complex, initially used as housing for workers, and then as a place to store supplies and space that complements the entire architectural ensemble. The territory of the bazaar was a small town during the construction of the Taj Mahal. It was originally known as Mumtazabad (Mumtazabad - the city of Mumtaz), and is now called Taj Ganzhi.
After construction, Taj Ganji became a frequent city and the center of economic activity of the city of Agra, goods from all parts of the empire and the world came here. The area of the market was constantly changing, and after construction in the 19th century, it no longer corresponded to the original plan of the builders. Most of the ancient buildings and structures have been demolished or rebuilt.
Other buildings.
The Taj Mahal complex is surrounded on three sides by a wall of red sandstone, and on the fourth side there is an embankment and the Yamuna River. Outside the walls of the complex, additional mausoleums were built for Shah Jahan's other wives, and a larger mausoleum for Mumtaz's beloved maid.
Water supply.
The architects of the Taj Mahal provided the complex with a complex system of pipes. The water comes from the nearby Yamuna River through an underground pipe system. In order to draw water from the river, a rope-rope system with buckets, driven by several oxen, was used.
In order to ensure the necessary pressure in the pipe system, the main tank was raised to a height of 9.5 meters, and to equalize the pressure over the entire area of the complex, 3 more additional tanks were used, located in different parts of the complex. In order to bring water to all parts of the monument, terracotta pipes with a diameter of 0.25 meters were used, which were buried to a depth of 1.8 meters.
The original piping system is still present and in use, proving the craftsmanship of the builders who were able to create a system that lasted nearly 500 years without the necessary Maintenance. True, it is worth noting that some underground water pipes were nevertheless replaced in 1903 with new cast iron pipes.
Threats
In 1942, to protect the Taj Mahal from German attack by the Luftwaffe and later by the Japanese Air Force, protective scaffolding was erected by order of the government. Protective scaffolding was built again during the India-Pakistan War in 1965 and 1971.
Later threats came from environmental pollution along the banks of the Yamuna River, including from the activities of the Mathura refinery. Due to pollution, a yellow coating formed on the domes and walls of the Taj Mahal. To control pollution of the monument, the Indian government has created a 10,400-square-kilometer zone around it where strict emission regulations apply.
Planes are not allowed to fly over the Taj Mahal.
Recently, the structural integrity of the Taj Mahal has been threatened by the declining water table in the Yamuna River basin, which is falling at a rate of about 5 feet per year. In 2010, cracks appeared in some parts of the mausoleum and minarets that surround the monument. This is due to the beginning, in the absence of water, the process of decay of the wooden supports of the base of the monument. According to some forecasts, the tomb may collapse within five years.
History of the Taj Mahal.
Mughal period (1632 - 1858)
Immediately after the construction of the Taj Mahal, Shah Jahan's own son Aurangzeb places him under house arrest. When Shah Jahan died, Aurangzeb buried him next to his wife inside the Taj Mahal. The complex is clean and well cared for for almost a hundred years, financed by taxes from the market and the rich royal treasury. In the middle of the 18th century, the cost of maintaining the complex is significantly reduced, as a result, the complex is almost not looked after.
Many tourist guides say that after the overthrow of Shah Jahan from the windows of the dungeon, for many years, until his death, he sadly admired his creation - the Taj Mahal. Usually these stories mention the Red Fort - the palace of Shah Jahan, built by him at the zenith of his reign, part of the chambers of which his son Aurangzeb turned into a luxurious prison for his father. However, here the publications confuse the Delhi Red Fort (hundreds of kilometers from the Taj Mahal) and the Red Fort in Agra, also built by the Mughals, but earlier, and which is really located next to the Taj Mahal. Shah Jahan, according to Indian researchers, was kept in the Delhi Red Fort and could not see the Taj Mahal from there.
British period (1858th-1947th)
During the Indian uprising of 1857, the Taj Mahal was ravaged by British soldiers and officers. In the late 19th century, the British Viceroy in India, Lord Curzon, organized the restoration of the Taj Mahal, which was completed in 1908. In addition, the gardens inside the Taj Mahal were restored in the British style, which has survived to this day. In 1942, during the Second World War, the government decided to create protective forests over the mausoleum, fearing possible attacks by the German Luftwaffe, and later by the Japanese imperial aviation.
Modern period (1947th -)
During the wars between India and Pakistan in 1965 and 1971, the Taj Mahal was also surrounded by protective forests. Later, there were threats from environmental pollution along the banks of the Yamuna River, including from the activities of the Mathura refinery. Due to pollution, a yellow coating formed on the domes and walls of the Taj Mahal. To control pollution of the monument, the Indian government has created a 10,400-square-kilometer zone around it where strict emission regulations apply. In 1983, the Taj Mahal was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Legends and myths of the Taj Mahal.
Black Taj Mahal.
One of the most famous legends says that Shah Jahan planned to build his own black marble mausoleum on the other side of the Yamuna River, symmetrical to the Taj Mahal, and wanted to connect them with a silver bridge. This can be evidenced by the remains of black marble across the Yamuna River, in the Moonlight Garden. However, excavations in the 1990s revealed that it was the white marble used to build the Taj Mahal, which changed color to black over time. Confirmation of this legend can be attributed to the fact that in 2006, after the reconstruction of the pool in the Moonlight Garden, a dark reflection of the white Taj Mahal could be seen in its water. This legend became known from the notes of Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, a European traveler who visited Agra in 1665. His notes noted that Shah Jahan was dethroned by his son Aurangzeb before the construction of the black Taj Mahal began.
Killing and maiming of workers.
The famous myth tells that Shah Jahan, after the construction of the Taj Mahal, killed or maimed the craftsmen and architects so that they could not build something as magnificent. Some other stories claim that the builders signed a contract, according to which they undertake not to participate in the construction of any similar structure. However, it is known that the builders of the Taj Mahal later built the Jama Masjid mosque in Delhi.
Italian architect.
In response to the question of who designed the Taj Mahal? The West created the myth of the Italian architect, as Italy in the 17th century was the center of modern art. The founder of this myth is a missionary from the Augustinian order, Father Don Manrique. He proclaimed the architect of the Taj Mahal, an Italian named Geronimo Veroneo (Geronimo Veroneo) because he, at the time of construction, was in India. The statement is very controversial due to the fact that Geronimo Veroneo was not an architect, he produced and sold jewelry. In addition, there is no evidence in early European sources that architects from the West could design in the style of other cultures with which they were not previously familiar.
Demolition of the Taj Mahal by the British.
Although there is no concrete evidence, it is mentioned that the British Lord William Bentinck (Governor General of India in the 1830s) planned the demolition of the Taj Mahal to auction off the white marble from which it was built. His biographer John Rosselli says that the story came about because William Bentinck was involved in the sale of marbles taken from the Agra fort.
Taj Mahal is the temple of Lord Shiva.
Indian historian P. N. Oak claims that the Taj Mahal was originally used as a Hindu temple of the god Shiva, and Shah Jahan simply began to use it differently. This version was rejected as unsubstantiated and lacking evidence in the form historical facts. India's Supreme Court denied P.N. Oak's request to have the Taj Mahal declared a Hindu cultural monument.
The looting of the Taj Mahal.
Although it is known that the British seized the gold from the spiers of the Taj Mahal, and the gems that decorated the walls of the mausoleum, there are myths from which it follows that many other decorations were stolen from the Taj Mahal. History says that the cenotaphs of the Shah and his wife were gilded and adorned with diamonds, the doors of the mausoleum were made of carved jasper, and the space inside was decorated with rich carpets.
Tours of the Taj Mahal.
The Taj Mahal attracts a large number of tourists. UNESCO documented over 2 million visitors in 2001, including over 200,000 from abroad. The cost of visiting is two-tier, with a significantly lower price for Indian citizens and a higher price for foreigners. Internal combustion engine vehicles are not allowed near the complex and tourists must either walk from the car park or take the electric bus.
Operating mode.
The monument is open to visitors from 6 am to 7 pm, except for Friday and the month of Ramadan, when the complex is open for believers. In addition, the complex opens at night on the day of the full moon, two days before the full moon and two days after the full moon. The museum inside the Taj Mahal complex is open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, admission is free.
Every year from 18 to 27 February in Agra, in the place where the master creators of the Taj Mahal lived, the Taj Mahotsav festival takes place. The festival is dedicated to the arts and crafts of the Mughal era and to Indian culture in general. At the festival, you can see processions with the participation of elephants and camels, drumming shows and colorful performances.
Cost and rules of visiting.
An entrance ticket to the territory of the complex will cost a foreigner 750 rupees (435 rubles). Such a high cost is explained by the fact that it consists of the entrance tax of the Archaeological Society of India (250 rupees or 145 rubles) and the fee of the Agra Development Department (500 rupees or 290 rubles). Children under 15 years old enter free of charge.
Tickets for overnight visits to the cultural monument cost Rs 750 for foreigners and Rs 500 for Indian citizens and must be purchased 24 hours prior to visit at the Archaeological Society of Indian Exploration box office on Mall Road. The ticket price includes a half-liter bottle of water, shoe covers, a map-guide to Agra, travel by electric transport.
At the entrance to the Taj Mahal, visitors will have to go through a screening procedure: a frame, a manual search, things are translucent and are mandatory manually searched. The camera and other unnecessary things must be handed over to the storage room. You can shoot the mausoleum on a video camera only from afar. Only take pictures up close. You cannot take pictures inside the mausoleum itself, this is strictly monitored by the staff of the complex.
It is forbidden to bring into the territory of the complex: food, matches, lighters, tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, food supplies, knives, electronic devices, tripods.
How to get there.
The city of Agra is well connected with the major cities of the country and is located on the Golden Triangle of the tourist chain (Delhi-Agra-Jaipur). possible in several ways.
1. By air from Delhi 2. By rail from any major city 3. By car Distance to major cities:
Bharatpur - 57 km, Delhi - 204 km, Jaipur - 232 km, Khajuraho - 400 km, Lucknow - 369 km
Best time of year to visit Taj Mahal: November to February. At other times it is usually either too hot or too damp.
The properties of the stone from which the Taj Mahal is built are such that it changes its color depending on the angle of the light falling on it. Thus, it makes sense to come here at dawn and, after spending the whole day, leave at sunset to absorb all the variety of colors. To see the masterpiece in divine golden hues, you can arrive in advance in the evening at one of the hotels located near the South Gate (Taj Ganj area) of the Taj Mahal and come here early in the morning with the opening of the complex. At six o'clock in the morning you have a chance to see the Taj Mahal in silent loneliness and in all its grandeur: during the day the territory of the complex is filled with crowds of tourists.
The city itself - Agra - is quite dirty and inhospitable, so you should not spend a lot of time traveling here. One day is enough to touch the beauty and learn the "legend of stone."
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The 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
As soon as they did not call the famous Taj Mahal mausoleum! The famous Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore wrote about the Taj Mahal that this monument is “a tear sparkling on the face of eternity”.
Taj Mahal from bird's eye view
In 1983, the mausoleum was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and recognized as the best example of Indo-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 the 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 in 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 the deathbed of his wife, 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, never was and never will be. Construction continued for 22 long years. More than 20,000 people took part in it, among them builders from all over the empire, masters from Venice, Persia, Central Asia and the Arab East. According to legend, the ruler was so impressed by the grandeur and perfection of the tomb that he ordered the hands of the chief architect, Ustad-Ise, to be cut off so that he could not repeat his masterpiece.
View of the Taj Mahal from the garden
Some scholars 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 of the deceased wife - Taj Mahal ("Crown of the Palace"). On the other side, the ruler was going to build the same mausoleum for himself, but from black marble, and he had to connect these two buildings openwork bridge of gray marble, thrown across the river. But the plans of the emperor did not come true. Soon a fierce struggle for power 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, a white marble monument of great love, "the pearl of Indian architecture" is one of the most important sights of India. In 2007, the Taj Mahal entered the New Seven Wonders of the World list, compiled after a poll of more than 100 million votes. The majestic five-domed mausoleum with 4 minarets at the corners rises to a height of 74 meters on a white marble platform and, reflected in the motionless surfaces of an artificial reservoir, seems to hover above the earth like a fabulous mirage.
Taj Mahal from the opposite bank of the Jumna River
Its walls, made of polished marble, shine white on a bright sunny day, radiate a lilac-pink glow at sunset, and silvery on a moonlit night. This marble was brought for construction 300 km from Rajasthan. The walls are inlaid with precious stones and gems; black marble decor with quotes from the Koran. Malachite was brought from Russia, carnelian - from Baghdad, turquoise - from Tibet, sapphires and rubies - from Siam, lapis lazuli - from Ceylon, chrysolite - 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 tombstone 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. So, for example, in the park framing the architectural ensemble, cypresses grow - the personification of sadness in Islam, and verses (revelations) from the Koran are carved on the entrance gate, addressed to believers and ending with the words "Enter My Paradise!". Thus, one can understand the intention of Shah Jahan - he built a paradise where his beloved will live. Modern researchers argue that, mad with grief, the emperor decided to get closer to divine knowledge by creating a paradise on Earth. Sometimes Shah Jahan said that he was building a throne for Allah himself.
Fragment of the facade of the Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal endangered
At present, the creation of medieval architects is in decline. Cracks have appeared on the walls of the Taj Mahal, it is losing its radiant whiteness due to polluted air., and the minarets deviated from the vertical axis by 3 mm and may collapse in the future. The Jumna River becomes shallow, and this can lead to a change 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 visitors from all over the world with its romantic legend and architectural perfection.
