Taj Mahal Mausoleum: An Eternal Love Story. History of the creation of the Taj Mahal (India, Agra): interesting facts, photos Taj Mahal Mausoleum in Agra
The Taj Mahal was built in India in the city of Agra. This mausoleum-mosque is located on the banks of the Jamna River, the longest tributary of the Ganges. Taj Mahal recognized one of the 7 wonders of the world, which seriously distinguishes it from the general background of attractions on our planet. In 1983, the architectural monument was recognized as one of the objects under UNESCO protection. Many people go to India precisely to see the mausoleum, because it is known even to people who are far from architecture.
Taj Mahal: a love story
The Taj Mahal is called a monument to eternal love. And that's why. The mosque was built by order of the ruler Shah Jahan, who wished immortalize the image of your wife, whose name was Mumtaz Mahal (short name - Taj Mahal, translated meaning “Pride of the Palace”). She died giving birth to her 14th child, which plunged the padishah into such grief that he decided to give up the throne. A more prosaic version indicates that Shah Jahan was simply overthrown, but this is not so important, because the value of the creation erected on his orders is not diminished by this.
There is another legend of the Taj Mahal that this architectural monument was supposed to have "double", just not white, but black color. Excavations did not confirm this assumption. The dark marble found was actually white. Its color has simply changed over time. Most likely, a second similar mausoleum was planned, because the ruler loved symmetry. The padishah did not have time to do this, since his son overthrew him. They say that Until the end of his days, Shah Jahan admired the mosque from prison.
That is why there are not one, but two graves in the Taj Mahal - the inconsolable ruler and his beloved. By the way, their bodies were not buried in tombs, but strictly under them, underground.
Who built the Taj Mahal?
Construction of the mausoleum began in 1632. Participated in this process more than 22,000 craftsmen, who were collected from all over the empire. Won the competition for the best project Usto Isa Khan Effendi. It was his sketches that formed the basis of the Taj Mahal. ABOUT future fate The builders are legendary. In particular, there is a legend that says that they were all executed upon completion of the work.
The site on which it is built used to belong to the Maharaja of Jai Sigh. The padishah liked the land so much that he exchanged it with his subject for a palace in the middle of Agra. The ground was completely dug up. The level of the site on which the mosque was built was raised by 50 meters. The foundation was created in a special way so that the Taj Mahal had a truly reliable foundation. The platform on which the building stands is made of marble blocks. Its area is 29 m2.
The construction of the Taj Mahal was accompanied by the use of innovative construction techniques, which makes this architectural monument even more significant. An example is a scaffold made of bricks (usually bamboo was used as a material for this structure).
It took more than 20 years to create the masterpiece mausoleum. Construction was carried out in stages. First there were tombs and a platform, and then - minarets, a mosque, etc. More than 1000 elephants were used to transport materials.
Our days
Every day the Taj Mahal is visited by many thousands of tourists. It is not only a heritage of world culture, but also symbol of India. People from all over the world come to the city with the Taj Mahal mausoleum.
Despite the careful attitude, a serious problem has recently emerged. Cracks were found on the walls of the building. This is explained by the fact that the river flowing nearby becomes shallower. This leads to a change in the soil structure. Taj Mahal settles, which leads to the formation of unpleasant cracks.
In addition, his white marble turns yellow over the years. The reason is too dirty air. Even the ban on cars near the mausoleum and the ever-expanding park area do not help. Because of this he periodically cleaned with white clay.
On Fridays, the palace exposition is closed for viewing, as on this day Muslims pray in the Taj Mahal mosque.
Photo gallery of Taj Mahal
Instead of a conclusion
Concluding the story about the Taj Mahal, I would like to note once again that it is difficult to describe. Such buildings need to be seen. Any witness to his greatness experiences a feeling that is difficult to describe in words. That is why visiting the mausoleum-mosque is a mandatory event for any person who comes to India!
Video about Taj Mahal
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 was 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. Construction continued for 22 long years. More than 20,000 people took part in it, among them builders from all over the empire, craftsmen from Venice, Persia, Central Asia and the 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 of his 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, made of polished marble, shine white on a bright sunny day, emit a lilac-pink glow at sunset, and silver on a moonlit night. This marble was transported for construction 300 km from Rajasthan. Precious stones and gems are used in the inlay of the walls; 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. So, for example, in the park surrounding 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; 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 shallowing, 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.
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 the 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 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 in a very short time (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 like 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 rich Mughal state began to decline. I doubt it. India is a very rich country.
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 further. 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 is a characteristic feature of Muslim buildings in India: the courtyard surrounded by walls 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, to its credit, 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 afar. 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 you 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.
After admiring the mausoleum up close, we headed out, glancing at the retreating miracle.
On July 7, 2007, in Lisbon (Portugal), the new seven wonders of the world were named and the Taj Mahal mausoleum-mosque was included in this list. It is located in Agra (India) near the Jamna River. The easiest way to get to the Taj Mahal Palace is to fly to Delhi by plane and from there take a bus, taxi or train to your destination. The journey by train takes up to 3 hours, by taxi 3-5 hours. It is considered a crime if you visit India and do not see the Taj Mahal Mosque.
It is simply impossible to describe the splendor and beauty of this mosque in words. This is a truly fabulous and beautiful architectural structure that combines elements of Islamic, Persian and Indian architectural styles.
The emergence of the Taj Mahal is the story of the tender love of Shah Jahan, the Mughal king, for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. While still a prince, Shah Jahan took a 19-year-old girl as his wife, and his love for her was boundless. Despite owning a large harem, he gave all his tenderness and attention to only one Mumtaz. She bore him 14 children, six girls and eight boys. But during the last birth, Jahan's wife died. Shah Jahan's grief was so great that he lost the meaning of life, turned gray, declared 2 years of mourning and even wanted to commit suicide.
On the orders of Shah Jahan, the beautiful Taj Mahal palace was built over the grave of his wife, in which he himself was buried a few years later near the grave of his wife. The Taj Mahal is not just a wonder of the world, it is a symbol of the eternal love of two people. Shah Jahan promised before his wife’s death to create a monument that would convey all the beauty of Mumtaz.
Construction and architecture of the Taj Mahal
History does not answer the question of who built this mosque. The fact is that in the Islamic world of that period all construction ideas were attributed not to the architect, but to the customer. A group of architects worked on the mosque, but the main idea belongs to Ustad Ahmad Lakhauri. Construction of the palace began in December 1631. The construction of the central mausoleum ended in 1648, and 5 years later the construction of the entire complex was completed. Over the course of 22 years, about 20 thousand people took part in the construction of the Taj Mahal. More than a thousand elephants were used to transport materials that were delivered from India and Asia. The blocks of marble were pulled by bulls along a specially built 15-kilometer ramp made of compacted earth. Sculptors from Bukhara, stonemasons from Balochistan, masters of inlay from southern India, calligraphers from Persia and Syria, as well as specialists and craftsmen in cutting marble ornaments and erecting towers worked at the construction site.
The Taj Mahal is considered the “pearl of Muslim art in India.” The most famous component of the palace is its white marble dome, which due to appearance also called onion dome. Its height is 35 meters. Its crown is made in the Islamic style (the moon's horns point upward) and was originally made of gold, but was replaced with a bronze copy in the 19th century.
The height of the mosque itself is 74 meters and is represented by a five-domed structure with four minarets in the corners. The minarets are slightly inclined in the direction opposite to the tomb, so as not to damage it during destruction. The building is adjacent to a garden with a swimming pool and fountains. Inside the mausoleum there are two tombs, which are located strictly above the burial place of the Shah and his wife. The walls of the palace are made of marble inlaid with gems (carnelian, agate, malachite, turquoise, etc.). And in the rays of light the walls are simply mesmerizing. In sunny weather, marble looks white, on a moonlit night it turns silver, and at dawn it turns pink.
The exterior of the Taj Mahal is considered one of the best examples of architecture. Various plasters, paints, carvings and stone inlays were used to create decorative elements of the mosque. Also, excerpts from the Koran were used for the decorative and artistic design of the complex. On the gate of the Taj Mahal there is an inscription: “O you, resting soul! Return to your Lord satisfied and having achieved contentment! Come in with My servants. Enter My Paradise!
A huge number of semi-precious and precious stones were used in the interior of the palace. The interior hall of the Taj Mahal is a perfect octagon. The height of the walls is 25 meters, and the ceiling is decorated in the shape of the sun and is represented by an internal dome.
The only asymmetrical element of the complex is the cenotaph of Shah Jahan, which is located near the grave of his wife. It was completed later and is larger in size than Mumtaz's cenotaph, but decorated with the same decorative elements. On Mumtaz's tombstone there are calligraphic inscriptions that praise her, and on Jahan's tomb it is written: "He set out on a journey from this world to the abode of Eternity on the night of the twenty-sixth day, the month of Rajab 1076."
The architectural complex is adjacent to a magnificent garden, which extends 300 meters in length. In the center of the park there is a water channel, which is lined with marble and in the middle of it there is a pond. It reflects the image of the tomb. Initially, the garden amazed with its abundance of vegetation, but over time the landscaping of the garden changed.
Myths and legends
There is a legend that Shah Jahan wanted to build an exact copy of a palace made of black marble on the opposite bank of the river, but did not have time. There is also a myth that the emperor brutally killed the architects and craftsmen who took part in the construction of the palace, and all the builders signed an agreement in which they agreed not to take part in the construction of such a structure. But to date, such information has not been confirmed by anything and remains just fiction and legend.
Tourism
Millions of tourists visit the Taj Mahal every year. different countries. Tourists are interested in the fact about its optical focus. If you move backwards towards the exit, respectively, facing the palace, you get the feeling that the mausoleum is simply huge against the backdrop of trees and the environment. And by the way, airplanes are prohibited from flying over the Taj Mahal. The mosque is open to the public from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays, except Fridays, when prayers are held there. The Taj Mahal is also open for night viewing on the day of the full moon, including two days before and after the full moon, except Friday and the month of Ramadan.
A wonder of the world, a temple of love and devotion, a mausoleum - all these are the names of one of the greatest buildings in the history of mankind, which is worth being proud of - the majestic Taj Mahal. But it is possible to fully understand what the Taj Mahal is only by knowing well its history, full of the greatness of love and tragedy.
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Place on the map, history
Many people have heard the phrase Taj Mahal, but not everyone knows about the place where it is located. Translated, “taj mahal” means “mausoleum-mosque”. Also pronounced (“taja”, “taji”, “taj”). This architectural monument erected in Agra, a city located in the northern part of India, along the banks of the Jamna River.
It was built by order of the Indian padishah, descendant of the mighty Tamerlane - Shah Jahan. The history of the construction of the Taj Mahal in India, associated with the construction of the structure, is very sad. The padishah Shah Jahan lost his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, whom he married as a young girl. The ruler had many wives in his harem, but it was Mumtaz Mahal who became the closest and dearest. The couple almost never separated, trying to always be close to each other. The padishah gave all his tenderness to young Mumtaz.
His wife was the closest person to Shah Jahan: comrade-in-arms, best friend and only lover. She bore him fourteen children! But as fate would have it, at the time of the birth of the last child, the wife died. After such a loss, Shah Jahan himself did not want to live and declared long mourning. After, the saddened husband in memory of his departed wife ordered the construction of a mausoleum - majestic and sad, as a symbol of his boundless love for the mother of their children.
Construction of the Taj Mahal
Historians express the opinion that they began to build the Taj Mahal mausoleum of India in the city of Arga in 1632, and completed the work in 1653. That is, long Construction took 22 years architectural monument. It should be noted that the construction of the mausoleum itself was technically very progressive for those years. Interesting engineering construction techniques were used to facilitate and optimize the work. But it was still slow, since in those days structures of this type could not be built quickly.
Construction materials
The building was erected using the most valuable natural materials:
- marble
- semi-precious stones.
White marble was brought from afar, since this rock was not mined nearby. It was processed and used to build walls and strengthen arches. They took special marble, translucent white. They delivered it to the construction site along a specially built ramp (with the help of bulls and elephants). The animals dragged a huge polished block of marble in special carts.
The fact is that this breed does not always appear white, but only in daylight. At dawn it turns pink, and at sunset it turns gray or silver. This gives the building an amazing magical view, which is sometimes called an "optical illusion". In addition, when laying marble on the walls, they were inlaid with semi-precious stones: turquoise, agate, carnelian, malachite and other precious and semi-precious stones.
They were laid in the form of a floral ornament. The entire mausoleum complex was erected over the grave of the deceased Mumtaz.
Many researchers believe that the main architect of the construction was Isa Muhammad Efendi (originally from Turkey). But there are other versions of who built the Taj Mahal.
Construction stages
A lot of labor and engineering specialists were involved in the construction (there were about 20 thousand of them). Everything was supervised by the Imperial Architectural Council.
The interesting thing is that after the construction was completed, Shah Jahan allowed ordinary people to come and take as many bricks as everyone could carry. Thus, the “forests” were taken away by the population approximately overnight! After this, a miracle appeared to the world in all its glory - the monumental and majestic Taj Mahal, a pearl of architecture (in the Mughal style).
What does the Taj Mahal look like?
So, a beautiful temple opens to human eyes - monument to eternal love and devotion Taj Mahal. He has no equal and never will, as the great padishah intended.
This mausoleum amazes the eyes of tourists and picky art critics with its snow-white, pink and silver radiance. In architecture, structures are brought together several directions of architecture: Indian, Arabic, Persian. In general, this style is called a masterpiece of Muslim art in the territory.
The height of the temple is 74 meters; the complex includes five domes. The central dome is designed to attract the main attention (its height is 35 meters). There are gardens and water canals around the Taj Mahal. And the structure itself is located on a platform and looks soaring above the ground. The entire architectural design is associated with symmetry and symbols of life and death, and it also serves as a monument to the great tribulation in India.
What structures does the Taj Mahal consist of?
The temple was created according to the laws of symmetry. Everything in it is subordinated to harmony and symbolic signs.
The architectural complex taj mahal (translation: mausoleum-mosque) is located in the far part of the surrounding garden (northern). In front of him is a large a body of water in which the monument is reflected, enhancing the impression made. With the help of such a long pool with fountains, the architect managed to create another optical illusion - doubling the beauty of this piece of heaven on Earth!
Death of Shah Jahan
According to history, Shah Jahan failed to retain power at the end of his days. He was overthrown by his own sons, who by that time had become adults and sought to gain influence in the country. One of them committed the murder of his brothers. My father had to hide in one of the buildings of the Taj Mahal, which became his last possession and refuge during life.
Until his last days, Shah Jahan yearned for his Mumtaz. He never managed to bring his plan to completion. The ruler planned to build another tomb with a mausoleum opposite the mausoleum of his beloved wife - a double of the Taj Mahal, but only from black marble, for himself. As a result he was buried next to his wife. So, they found each other again, forever.
The Taj Mahal in India and throughout the world is considered not only one of, but also a symbol of the country, which attracts millions of tourists from all over the world. Everyone who visits the capital of the country, Delhi, certainly goes to the Taj Mahal, which is easily accessible by transport.
It is best to see such a wonder of the world with your own eyes, because it is quite difficult to convey its beauty in words. And the Taj Mahal itself, the story of its creation, will attract human hearts and souls with its touching nature.
It is impossible to imagine how much money it could cost to build such architectural structure, like the Taj Mahal. But countless amounts of money were spent.
Now historians are concerned that the symbol of India in the city of Agra may be threatened destruction processes. This is due to the fact that cracks were discovered in the walls of the mausoleum. They could have formed due to soil subsidence. And it, in turn, began to sag due to the shallowing of the river, and this was also affected by climate change. Marble is a durable rock, but it can also be destroyed by time.