The Taj Mahal is the greatest monument to love. History of the Taj Mahal India Taj Mahal Palace

Many people have heard this phrase, perhaps even seen photographs, but not everyone knows what exactly the Taj Mahal is, what city and country it is located in. Let's try to take a short trip and introduce you to the greatest work of art, an architectural masterpiece and a monument to eternal and true love.

The pearl of Muslim culture Taj Mahal short description which, of course, will not allow us to fully describe the greatness and splendor of this monument, truly beautiful, as if it came from oriental tales construction. Its architecture harmoniously intertwines the styles of Persia, India and Islam.

Where is the Taj Mahal? This mosque is located on the banks of the Jamna River, near the Indian city of Agra and was built by order of Shah Jahan, the ruler of the Great Mughals and the great-grandson of the famous conqueror Tamerlane, in memory of his deceased wife Mumtaz Mahal.

The Taj Mahal is a huge white marble complex. The main structure is a mausoleum with five domes, surrounded on four sides by elegant minarets and having a height of 74 m. Its white stone walls, reflected in the still waters of the artificial pool, create the impression of weightlessness and are like a mirage floating above the ground. Featuring a polished marble finish architectural ensemble, depending on the time of day, changes color shades from snow-white to lilac-pink, and in the moonlight it shimmers with silver.

The part of the park that frames the complex is a road that leads to the entrance to the mausoleum. The path, lined with cypress trees, symbolizing sadness, represents the entrance to paradise, which Shah Jahan built for his beloved wife. In the middle of this road there is a water channel lined with marble slabs. Once upon a time, during the time of the ruler, strange decorative fish swam in it, and important peacocks walked along the paths around the pool.

The tomb itself stands on a square marble pedestal and is a symmetrical octagonal building with a large entrance arch, topped with a bow-shaped dome. At first, the crown of the dome was gold, but later it was replaced by an ideal bronze copy. The shape of the main dome is aesthetically emphasized by four smaller domed structures that are located at the corners above the tomb. The facade is decorated with sophisticated pointed arches, and a majestic staircase leads to the very center.

Minarets

The minarets, about 50 m high, are located in strict accordance with axial symmetry relative to the mausoleum. The slight tilt to the side is due to the protection of the main building from destruction if the towers fall. Each of them is divided into three by two balconies that encircle the building in a circle. All decorative ornaments are covered with gold and successfully complement the overall picture.

Exterior

The artistic exterior of the Taj Mahal is considered one of the masterpieces of architectural art. It was selected taking into account all the nuances of the building material - marble; its surface differs in its structure in different areas. The use of various types of plaster, inlays and stone figures turned the decorative elements of the monument into works of art and imparted a unique style.

The white stone walls are decorated with a complex mosaic of precious and semi-precious stones. Exquisite floral patterns and Arabic quotes from the Koran, appeals to believers, are executed in black marble. Islam forbids mentioning human symbols in the decoration of mosques, so the creators of the exterior depicted abstractions, flowers, and various ornate patterns. All of them are made skillfully, using yellow marble, jade and jasper.

Interior

All four entrances lead to the main octagonal hall of the tomb. Inside, high walls flow smoothly into a vaulted domed ceiling painted with solar motifs. Stone flowers cascade down the white marble in garlands, and the most skillful carvings and intricate Arabic script amaze with their thoroughness and skill. In the center, behind an openwork marble screen, there are two symbolic tombstones; they are decorated with a variety of geometric patterns and precious stones.

The burial place of Shah Jahan and his wife is located in the basement. The fact is that, according to religious traditions, graves cannot be pretentiously decorated, so the ruler and his beloved were buried in an ordinary crypt, and the sarcophagi in the mausoleum are a place of worship and a tribute to great feelings.

Love story

Mumtaz often accompanied her husband on military campaigns and travels, and was the most beloved woman and reliable friend. They lived happily together for 19 years, and during this time they had 14 children, but the last birth became fatal for Mumtaz. The emperor's grief was inconsolable, and he spent the whole year after the death of his wife in solitude. Having come to his senses, he vowed to build a tomb, which has no equal in the whole world, in order to leave for centuries the memory of the great love and name of his beloved Mumtaz Mahal. Thus began the story of the creation of one of the greatest creations of mankind.

Where is the Taj Mahal on the world map

Taj Mahal photos inside and outside

Construction began in 1632 and lasted for 22 long years. Who built the Taj Mahal in India? Of course, the idea itself, the means and the main orders during construction belonged to Emperor Khan Jahan. But all the work was carried out under the direction of 37 architects, the design of the main building belongs to Ismail Afandi, and the creation of the general image of the complex is attributed to the Turkish architect Usadat Isu. In total, more than 25,000 builders, engineers, and artists from India and Central Asia were involved in the construction work.

The land purchased near Agra was completely replaced with thicker and more compact soil, and raised 50 meters above the bank of the Jamna River. With the help of wells dug and filled with crushed stone, a support for the foundation was obtained, which was also a kind of “safety cushion” during earthquakes. The bamboo scaffolds common at that time were replaced with brick ones, a measure taken to make it easier to work with heavy marble.

To make it more convenient to deliver the same marble and other building materials to the construction site, a 15-kilometer trench was specially dug. Here, special carts were used, on which 20 or even 30 oxen pulled enormous weights. A separate system of canals and reservoirs was developed to provide the construction with a sufficient amount of water.

The approximate cost of construction was over 32 million rupees, which was then an almost exorbitant amount.

The foundation and tomb were built in 12 years, another ten were spent on construction:

minarets;
large gate;
mosques;
pavilion for guests;
park and garden.

Despite the complexity and duration of the work, in the end an architectural complex appeared in India that amazes the imagination and is rightfully one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Information for visitors

The Taj Mahal is by far the most visited attraction in India, attracting around three million tourists from all over the world every year. There are a lot of people here every season, but the main influx is in November and February, as the temperature drops slightly during these months, which makes traveling around this country more comfortable.

Knowing exactly where the Taj Mahal is in relation to other places worth visiting will help you save time and get your bearings. This architectural monument is located 20 km from Agra (200 km from Delhi) . You can get there by train, which goes to Mumbai or Kolkata (stop in Agra, and from there by taxi to the memorial).
Locals advise coming here in the morning , but not very early, because due to the fog (which is not uncommon in these places) the photographs may not be of high quality.
The tomb museum is open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day except Fridays, when prayers are held in the mosque. To see the mausoleum by moonlight, two days before and two after the full moon, the complex is accessible from 20.30 to 24.00.
Cost of visit is about 800 rupees , children under 15 years old have free admission, and you need to remember that payment is made only in national currency.
Filming with professional equipment is prohibited here. , but the use of small cameras and cameras is possible. Capturing the Taj Mahal inside and out for yourself can be done for a small fee of 25 rupees.
Before entering the complex, a necessary condition is inspection for the presence of dangerous objects , harmful substances and weapons. Food is also prohibited from being brought onto the premises. It is not advisable to take large bags and backpacks with you.
Shoes must be taken off when entering the temple. , but it is not recommended to leave it at the doorstep, since it may not be detected later. Keeping in mind the unsanitary conditions and hygiene, it is worth taking socks with you.

Despite the long queues, difficulties with travel and control conditions, a huge number of tourists travel to Agra to enjoy the experience and see the symbol of undying and boundless love, as Shah Jahan saw it.

The Taj Mahal in India is one of the business cards of this country. Many have seen photographs of the majestic white marble mausoleum, but not everyone knows that it is a symbol of love that is not subject to time and circumstances.

The extraordinary and sad story of the appearance of one of the seven new wonders of the world can touch even a cynic. Let's find out what the Taj Mahal is, in which city this building is located and in whose honor it was built.

Short description

Agra is a city in India, famous for its unusual mosque, the color of the walls changes at different times of the day. The Taj Mahal Mausoleum (in English: Taj Mahal) was built on the banks of the Jamna River. The mosque was erected in memory of the beloved wife of the ruler Shah Jahan, Mumtaz Mahal, as Wikipedia writes.

This building has become one of the best examples of architecture that uses Arabic, Persian and Indian styles. The complex, which is sometimes mistakenly called “Touch Mahal” in search queries, consists of:

74-meter five-domed mausoleum:
four slightly inclined minarets:
picturesque garden with a pond.

A love story without which there would be no Taj Mahal

Since 1983, the grandiose mausoleum, located in the Indian city of Agra, has been protected by UNESCO. This unique tomb is a true masterpiece of architectural art, which appeared during the reign of Shah Jahan. The history of the Taj Mahal is tragic. The Shah suffered a great loss - his beloved wife, whom he affectionately called “Taj Mahal,” which translates as “the pride of the palace,” passed away during childbirth.

The love story that is the stuff of legends today began suddenly. The future ruler once met a girl from a poor family at the market, who shocked him with her beauty. He decided not to part with the beautiful stranger again and took her as his wife. So 19-year-old Mumtaz Mahal became the second wife of Prince Guram, who went down in history as Shah Jahan. The ruler had many concubines, but it was this girl who won his heart. He consulted with her on all matters and invited her to important ceremonies. But the happiness did not last long.

Eat two versions of how the life of the emperor’s beloved ended . Briefly, according to one of them, Shah Jahan’s wife suddenly fell ill, and according to another, she died during childbirth. Data on how many children they had together also varies. Some sources mention that there were nine of them, others talk about thirteen.

After the unexpected death of his beloved during childbirth, the ruler did not leave his chambers for a whole week. His subjects noted that during these 7 days he turned gray and aged several years. Typically, in Muslim culture, ardent expressions of feelings for a woman are not accepted - love for God should be above all. However, the emperor did not intend to hide his melancholy after the sudden death of his beloved.

Initially, Shah Jahan's wife was buried in the place where she died - in Burkhan Nur. Later the remains were transported to Agra. Shah Jahan decided to perpetuate the name of his beloved by building a mausoleum of incredible beauty in her honor. The ruler decided that he would build a tomb that would have no equal in the world. No expense was spared on the grandiose construction project - it became one of the most expensive in history.

He lost all interest in many things that were previously important to the ruler after the tragic event and independently decided to give up the throne:
The other version is more prosaic. Shah Jahan was forced to end his rule of the country because of his own son, who overthrew him and sent him to prison, where he died in 1666. It is believed that the heir was not happy with his father’s projects and his wastefulness.

This grandiose mausoleum is called a monument to immortal love, and for many centuries everyone has been concerned about its romantic history of creation. Recognized as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, the Taj Mahal has been protected by UNESCO since 1983. The most famous thing in India, which has no analogues in the whole world, characterizes the entire era of the reign of the emperor.

The sadness and tenderness expressed in the stone make all travelers stop in admiration before the majestic masterpiece of art, telling about amazing love.

History of creation

The Taj Mahal is a white marble mausoleum located in the city of Agra. It was erected by order of the grandson of the country's ruler Shah Jahan, who dreamed of fulfilling the will of his wife who died during childbirth.

They are all tested, including eternity. It is surprising that historical chronicles record the tender and romantic relationship between the ruler and his wife, whom the emperor affectionately called Taj Mahal, which translated means “the pride of the palace.” This is very rare for Muslims, because strong love most often manifests itself for God and their homeland, but not for a woman.

Ancient legends

A beautiful legend says that after the tragic death of his beloved, the emperor did not leave his chambers for a week, and when his subjects saw their master, they did not recognize him: he had aged several years and turned gray. Shah Jahan renounced the throne, indulging in intense grief for his wife who had left forever.

True, there is also a less romantic version, which says that the ruler was overthrown by his own son, explaining his behavior by the fact that his father’s grandiose projects were ruining the country. But this is no longer very important for posterity, because the value of a world-famous monument is not diminished by this.

Oath fulfilled

Shah Jahan remembered how the mother of his children once asked him to build a beautiful palace. The ruler, distraught with grief, vowed to build the most luxurious tomb in the world. In memory of his wife, large-scale construction of a majestic structure began.

Thus, thanks to official records made by subjects of the Muslim king, we became aware of official history creation. The Taj Mahal is considered one of the most expensive buildings in the world, on which huge amounts of money were spent.

The rest of his life spent in prison

There is another legend about the emperor’s desire to build a second similar structure, but he did not have time to do this. And all that was left for him after he was overthrown by his own son was for the rest of his life to look sadly from the small window of the dungeon at the stone work of art that became the tomb of his departed wife.

A masterpiece of world art

The construction of the Taj Mahal, the photo of which only slightly conveys the grandeur and scale of the work of world art, began in 1632. More than 20 thousand workers, gathered from all over the country, took part in the construction. About them future fate few people know, but, according to legend, so that the craftsmen would not tell anyone the secrets of constructing the mausoleum, they were all executed after finishing the work.

Favorite piece of land on which they built luxurious palace, did not belong to the emperor, but he exchanged it with a subject to build a monument to his love. The builders filled deep wells with a special solution and stones to protect the structure from collapse due to the proximity of groundwater, and raised the foundation by 50 meters. Marble blocks were placed at the base for special reliability.

Long-term construction

The phased construction of the Taj Mahal in the city of Agra (India) took more than 12 years. Especially for the cladding of the mausoleum, the purest marble was brought on elephants from one province of the empire, and the construction of other structures from it was strictly prohibited.

To feed the workers, who tirelessly built the luxurious monument day and night, grain was brought to them, intended to be sent to the provinces, and a terrible famine began in the country, which led to an unstable financial situation.

Visual effects

It is interesting that the Taj Mahal, the photo of which evokes a sense of admiration even in the most indifferent person to architecture, was designed taking into account optical illusions that were very unusual for that time.

To get to the palace, you first need to go through the arch leading to the heritage of world culture. And here an interesting visual effect arises: as you approach it, the building seems to move away. The same thing happens when leaving the arch, when it seems that the Taj Mahal somehow becomes much closer than before.

Another optical illusion that misleads visitors: it seems to them that the minarets located next to the mausoleum were built in parallel. In fact, they deviate slightly to the sides, and such a design was justified by protecting the palace in case of earthquakes. The huge towers would not have damaged the mausoleum, but fell next to it. Surprising but seismic dangerous place avoided disasters.

Tombs under the mausoleum

There are lines in the Koran that say that the peace of a deceased person cannot be disturbed. Under the main dome of the mausoleum there is a tomb, which in fact is not one. Fearing that someone would dare disturb his beloved wife, the emperor ordered her to be buried in a secret hall located under a unique masterpiece. After the death of Shah Jahan, his remains found shelter next to his wife.

Jewelry box

The Indian Taj Mahal, combining several architectural styles, is amazingly beautiful from the inside. The walls of the luxurious halls are decorated using Italian technologies. Colorful patterns of gems make the mausoleum a real treasury storing valuables. Stones were delivered from various parts of the country, and even ambassadors came to Russia to purchase malachite, which was prized in the country.

Palace divided into two parts

Built in accordance with Islamic ideas about the afterlife, the famous Taj Mahal mausoleum is divided into two parts. The four courtyards of the caravanserai and the market streets refer to earthly existence, and the mausoleum itself and the Garden of Eden refer to the otherworldly. By the way, all income received from trade went to maintaining the palace.

It is believed that the arch in front of the mausoleum and the beautiful pond laid in the middle of the main path represent a person’s transition to another world.

Who is the author of the masterpiece?

Researchers cannot accurately name the architects of this amazing masterpiece. It is precisely established that foreigners did not take part in the design of the mausoleum. And some experts are sure that the ruler himself acted as the main author, because he was famous for his education and sense of style.

The architecture of the mausoleum expresses the basic principles of the era: strict lines and a symmetrical layout make the earthly building look like a heavenly palace.

Majestic complex

The complex itself consists of a tomb, mirrored four watchtowers - minarets, from the tops of which they rang, announcing the beginning of prayers. On the sides of the mausoleum there are two mosques made of compressed sand. And most of the territory of the art monument is occupied by an amazing park with a pond, which reflects a perfect example of art. At the end of the green corridor, visitors are greeted by the luxurious Taj Mahal.

Color solution

The color design of the pearl also attracts attention. The buildings related to earthly life are made of fiery red sandstone, and the snow-white mausoleums symbolize the belief in life after death.

It is interesting to watch the play of light when the sun's rays at dawn or sunset paint the walls in delicate colors.

Contemporary issues

Thousands of tourists, for whom the masterpiece is a symbol of India, visit the Taj Mahal. The country is proud of its national heritage, and local authorities are very concerned about the preservation of the landmark for posterity. Unfortunately, an architectural monument with a huge history is settling and becoming covered with cracks.

Former capital of the Mughal Empire Agra (India) - populous city with a bad environmental situation. Polluted air causes marble to turn yellow, and periodically, to improve the appearance of the building, it is rubbed with white clay. In addition, the cladding also suffers from pigeons settling under the dome.

All visitors are carefully screened before entering. It is prohibited to bring lighters, cigarettes, food, mobile phones and even chewing gum into the mausoleum. Therefore, it is not recommended to take these things with you.

On Fridays, tourists are prohibited from entering the Taj Mahal, as Muslims gather for prayers at the nearby mosque in Agra.

Symbol of immortality

Included in the list of new wonders of the world, the world masterpiece continues to excite minds with the special beauty of its architectural lines and luxury of decoration, and creative people and all lovers are concerned about the sad story of its creation.

The Taj Mahal is stunning at first sight, and every visitor touches eternity captured in marble. Having become a symbol of fidelity and immortality, the ancient landmark will remain forever in the memory, and the heart will retain unforgettable impressions of what it saw.

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 truly fabulous and beautiful architectural structure, which 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 eternal love 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 is also called the onion dome due to its appearance. 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 tilted 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 is written: “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, planes 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.

The Taj Mahal is famous all over the world and has attracted many tourists for 350 years. The silhouette, familiar from countless photographs, has become a symbol of India. The Taj Mahal seems to float between heaven and earth: its proportions, symmetry, surrounding gardens and water mirror create an unprecedented impression.

The monument erected by the Sultan in honor of his beloved wife not only amazes with its appearance, but also the history that accompanied the construction of the mausoleum.

History of the Taj Mahal mausoleum

In 1612, Prince Khurram (the future ruler Shah Jahan, whose name means “Lord of the Universe”) took the beautiful Mumtaz Mahal as his wife. According to one version, the future princess was a commoner, but the prince, seeing her eyes, simply could not resist. According to another, more probable version, Mumtaz Mahal was the niece of Jahan’s mother and the daughter of the first vizier.

The lovers could not get married right away: according to local tradition, the wedding ceremony could only take place if the stars were favorable, so Shah Jahan and his beloved had to wait for a happy day for five whole years, during which they never saw each other.

Shah Jahan ascended the throne in 1628. As befits a ruler, he had a large number of wives, but Mumtaz Mahal remained the most beloved. She accompanied him even on long military campaigns and was the only person he completely trusted.

In 1629, after giving birth to her 14th child, the wife of ruler Shah Jahan, known as Mumtaz Mahal (“Chosen by the Palace”), died. This happened in a tent pitched in a camp near Burhanpur

She was 36 years old, of which she was married for 17 years. It should be noted that for a woman in those days it was a respectable age, and frequent childbirth undermined her health. So it was rare for a woman in India to live to be forty.

Sultan Shah Jahan was very sad, because he lost not only his beloved wife, but also a wise adviser who helped him in the most difficult political situations. There is information that he mourned for her for two years, and his hair turned gray from grief. The Sultan took an oath to build a tombstone worthy of the memory of his wife, completely unusual, with which nothing in the world could compare.

The city of Agra, which in the 17th century was considered a capital on a par with Delhi, was chosen as the location for the future mausoleum. The location was chosen surprisingly well: no one has yet caused serious damage to the mausoleum.

Construction began in 1632 and continued for more than 20 years. More than 20,000 workers were employed here. Many skilled masons, stone cutters and jewelers flocked to Agra from all over India and Western India. Ismail Khan designed the magnificent dome. The lines from the Holy Quran on various parts of the mausoleum - for example, on the main entrance to the Taj Mahal - were executed by the famous calligrapher Amanat Khan Shirazi. The main performers of the mosaic work were five Hindus.

The chief architect Ustad (meaning "master") Isa Khan was given unlimited powers. It should be noted that not everyone agrees that the architect was Isa Khan, assuring that she was not so technically advanced as to be able to independently build such a perfect temple. Supporters of this version say that most likely some invited Venetian master supervised the construction. Whether this is true or not is now unlikely to be established. There is no information in any document about who supervised the construction. Only the inscription on the Taj Mahal itself remains, which reads: “The builder was not a mere mortal, for the plan of the building was given to him by heaven.”

On the instructions of Shah Jahan, only the best was selected for the memorial in honor of his beloved wife. All materials for the mausoleum were delivered from afar. Sandstone was delivered to Agra from Sikri, semi-precious stones - from the mines of India, Persia and Central Asia. Jade was brought from, amethyst from, malachite from Russia, carnelian from Baghdad, turquoise from Persia and Tibet.

The white marble from which the Taj Mahal is made was delivered from the Makrana quarries, located 300 kilometers from Agra. Some of the marble blocks were enormous in size, and for transportation they were loaded into huge wooden carts, which were harnessed to several dozen buffaloes and oxen.

White marble is the basis of the entire Taj Mahal. The walls were covered with thousands of precious and semi-precious stones, and black marble was used for calligraphic ornaments. It is thanks to this treatment that the building is not pure white, as it is depicted in many photographs, but shimmers in many shades, depending on how the light falls on it.

Even in our time, the building of the mausoleum creates a feeling of unprecedented luxury, although before it looked even richer. The doors to the Taj Mahal were once made of silver, with hundreds of small silver nails hammered into them. Inside there was a parapet of gold, and a cloth strewn with pearls lay on the tomb of the princess, installed at the very spot where she was burned. Unfortunately, all this was stolen. When Lord Lake occupied Agra in 1803, his dragoons carried away 44 thousand tolas of pure gold from the Taj Mahal. British soldiers removed many precious stones from the walls of the mausoleum. As Lord Curzon testifies, “it was common practice for soldiers, armed with chisels and hammers, to pick out precious stones from the tombstones of the emperor and his beloved wife in broad daylight.” Having become the Viceroy of India, Lord Curzon introduced laws that saved the Taj Mahal and thousands of other monuments from complete destruction.

When construction came to an end, in 1653, the aging ruler gave the order to begin the construction of a second building - a mausoleum for himself. The second mausoleum was supposed to be an exact copy of the first, but made of marble, and between the two mausoleums there was to be a bridge made of black marble. But the second mausoleum was never built: the people began to grumble - the country was already impoverished from numerous internal wars, and the ruler was spending a lot of money on such buildings.

In 1658, Aurangzeb's son seized power and kept his father under house arrest for nine years in the Agra Fort, an octagonal tower. From there, Shah Jahan could see the Taj Mahal. Here, at dawn on January 23, 1666, Shah Jahan died, without taking his eyes off his beloved creation until the last moment. After his death, he was reunited with his beloved again - according to his will, he was buried next to him, in the same crypt with Mumtaz Mahal.

Features of the structure of the Taj Mahal mausoleum

The airiness is created by unusual proportions for us - the height is equal to the width of the facade, and the facade itself is cut through with huge semicircular niches and seems weightless. The width of the building is equal to its total height - 75 meters, and the distance from the floor level to the parapet above the arched portals is half the entire height. Many more lines can be drawn and a whole series of amazing patterns and correspondences can be discovered in the proportions of the Taj Mahal, which is equal in height to a twenty-story building, but is by no means overwhelming in size.

This perfectly symmetrical octagonal building measures 57 meters in perimeter and is topped by a central dome 24.5 meters high and 17 meters in diameter. When the giant dome was erected, to more conveniently deliver the necessary materials to a greater height, a sloping earthen embankment 3.6 kilometers long was built according to the design of Ismail Khan.

The remains of Mumtaz Mahal are buried underground, just under the very center of a large white dome, shaped like a flower bud. The Mughals were followers of Islam, and in Islamic art the dome points the way to heaven. An exact copy of the sarcophagus is installed at floor level so that visitors can honor the memory of the Empress without disturbing the peace in her tomb.

The entire park is surrounded on three sides by a fence. The stone entrance is decorated with a white patterned “portico”, and the top is “covered” with 11 domes; on the sides there are two towers, also crowned with white domes.

The Taj Mahal is located in the middle of a park (its area is almost 300 sq. m.), which can be entered through a large gate, symbolizing the entrance to paradise. The park is designed like a road that leads directly to the entrance of the Taj Mahal. In the middle of this “road” there is a large marble pool with an irrigation canal stretched to it. During the time of Shah Jahan, decorative fish swam in the pool, and peacocks and other exotic birds strutted along the paths. Guards dressed in white clothes and armed with blowguns guarded the garden from birds of prey.

The mausoleum is located in the center of a vast rectangular area (length 600 m, width 300 m). The short northern side runs along the banks of the Jamna River. On the southern side, a third of the area is occupied by outbuildings and ends with a monumental gate leading into the walled area, which makes up most of the rectangle.

The facades of the mausoleum are decorated with gently sloping pointed arches. In addition, so-called “stalactites” are used here - articulations of small cantilever niches overhanging each other. Stalactites support the projecting forms and are located at the base of the dome, in niches, under cornices and on column capitals. They are made of plaster or terracotta and create an exceptionally subtle play of light and shade.

A wide staircase leads to the very center of the facade. It is customary to leave shoes at its base, as before entering a temple.

The inside of the building is no less beautiful than the outside. The snow-white walls are decorated with stones and intricate patterns. Fourteen suras from the Koran - a traditional decoration for Muslim architecture - crown the arches above the windows. On the walls are garlands of unfading stone flowers. In the center is a carved marble screen, behind which two false tombs are visible. In the very middle there is a chamber of the tomb, which has a square plan with beveled corners. The chamber contains the cenotaphs of the Taj Mahal and Shah Jahan, surrounded by an openwork marble fence.

Mausoleum of the Taj Mahal today

The Taj Mahal Mausoleum is the most visited place in India. Thousands of tourists come here from all over the world. There are police officers on all four sides of the mausoleum, who vigilantly monitor all visitors. They guard the entrance to the upper platforms of the mausoleum (before this passage was closed, dozens of suicides jumped from the minarets, most often the reason was unrequited love - symbolic, because the Taj Mahal is also called the “temple of love”). Police also ensure that tourists do not take photographs of the building up close, since the Taj Mahal is recognized as a national shrine.

It should be noted that scientists are seriously concerned about the future of the mausoleum. In October 2004, two Indian historians warned that the Taj Mahal was tilting and could collapse or settle if authorities in the state of Utar Pradesh, where the famous mausoleum is located, did not deal with the area immediately adjacent to the monument. Of particular concern is the Jamna, located next to the Taj Mahal. This is due to the drying out of the riverbed. The Indian government has promised to allocate a sufficient amount for special work.

It is undoubtedly necessary to protect this architectural monument. After all, this is not only the most famous mausoleum, but also one of the most beautiful buildings on earth. traveler Edward Lear, who visited India in the mid-19th century, wrote in his diary: “All people in the world are divided into two groups - those who saw the Taj Mahal, and those who did not deserve this happiness.”