The history of the Taj Mahal (India, Agra): interesting facts, photo

This grandiose mausoleum is called the monument of immortal love, and for many centuries everyone is concerned about its romantic history of creation. Taj Mahal, recognized as one of the seven new wonders of the world, has been protected by UNESCO since 1983. The most famous architectural structure of India, which has no analogues in the whole world, characterizes a whole epoch of the emperor's reign.

Expressed in stone, sadness and tenderness make all travelers stop in admiration for the majestic masterpiece of art, which tells of amazing love.

History of creation

Taj Mahal is a white marble mausoleum located in the city of Agra. It was erected by order of the grandson of the Great Mogul, the ruler of the country, Shah Jahan, who dreamed of fulfilling the will of the deceased at the birth of his wife.

Their love has passed all the trials, including eternity. It is surprising that in historical chronicles the gentle and romantic relations of the ruler and his wife are fixed, which the emperor tenderly called the Taj Mahal, which in translation means "the pride of the palace". For Muslims, this is a great rarity, because strong love is most often manifested in them to God and the motherland, but not to the woman.

Ancient legends

A beautiful legend says that after the tragic death of his beloved Emperor did not leave the chambers for a week, and when the subjects saw their master, they did not recognize him: he aged for several years and became gray. Shah Jahan refused the throne, after indulging in strong sorrow for his wife left forever.

True, there is a less romantic version that tells that the ruler was overthrown by his own son, explaining his behavior by the fact that grandiose projects of his father ruin the country. But this is not very important for the descendants, because the value of a monument to the whole world from this is not diminished.

Completed Vow

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

So, thanks to the official records made by the subjects of the Muslim king, we became aware of the official history of the creation. Taj Mahal is considered to be one of the most expensive buildings in the world, for which huge funds were spent.

The rest of life spent in prison

There is another legend about the Emperor's desire to erect a second similar structure, but he did not have time to do so. And all that was left to him after his own son was overthrown-until the end of his life it was dreary to look from the small window of the dungeon to a stone work of art, which became the tomb of a bygone wife.

A masterpiece of world art

To be built Taj Mahal, whose photo only to a small extent conveys the grandeur and scale of the work of world art, began in 1632. More than 20 thousand workers, gathered from all parts of the country, took part in the construction. About their future fate very few people know, but, according to legend, that the masters did not tell anyone the secrets of erecting the mausoleum, they were all executed after the end of the works.

The fancy plot of land on which the magnificent palace was erected did not belong to the emperor, but he traded it from a subject to build a monument of his love. The builders filled the deep wells with a special mortar and stones to protect the structure from its collapse due to the proximity of groundwater, and raised the foundation by 50 meters. In the base were laid marble blocks for special reliability.

Long-term construction

For more than 12 years, the step-by-step construction of the Taj Mahal in the city of Agra (India) was underway. Especially for the mausoleum cladding, the cleanest marble from one province of the empire was brought on the elephants, and the erection of other structures from it was strictly forbidden.

To feed the workers, tirelessly building a day and night a magnificent monument, they were brought grain intended for sending to the provinces, and the country began a terrible famine, which led to an unstable financial situation.

Visual effects

Interestingly, the Taj Mahal, whose photo arouses admiration even in the most indifferent to the architecture of man, was designed taking into account optical illusions, very unusual for that time.

To get to the palace, first you need to go through the arch leading to the world culture. And here there is an interesting visual effect: as you approach it, the building seems to be removed. The same thing happens when you exit the arch, when it seems that the Taj Mahal in an unknown way becomes much closer than before.

Another optical illusion that deceives visitors: it seems to them that the minarets located near the mausoleum are erected in parallel. In fact, they deviate slightly in the sides, and such a project was justified by the protection of the palace in case of earthquakes. The huge towers would not damage the mausoleum, but fell next to it. Surprisingly, a seismically dangerous place escaped cataclysms.

Tombs under the mausoleum

In the Quran there are lines that the peace of the deceased person can not be violated. Under the main dome of the mausoleum is a tomb, in fact it is not. Afraid that someone would dare to disturb his beloved wife, the emperor ordered her to be buried in a secret hall under a unique masterpiece. After the death of Shah Jahan, his remains found shelter next to his wife.

Jewelry box

Amazingly beautiful from the inside is a combination of several architectural styles of the Indian Taj Mahal. The walls of the luxurious halls are decorated with Italian technology. Colorful patterns of gems make the mausoleum a treasure trove, storing jewelry. Stones were delivered from all over the country, and even ambassadors visited Russia to buy the malachite, which is valued in the country.

The palace divided into two parts

Built in accordance with the views of Islam about the afterlife, the famous mausoleum of the Taj Mahal is divided into two parts. Four yards of the caravanserai and the bazaar streets refer to the earthly existence, and the mausoleum and the Garden of Eden belong to the beyond. By the way, all the income received from the trade went to the maintenance of the palace.

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

Who is the author of the masterpiece?

Researchers can not accurately name the architects of the 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 symmetrical planning make the earthly building a likeness of the paradise palace.

Majestic complex

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

Color solution

Attention is drawn to the color design of the pearl of Muslim art. The buildings related to the earthly life are made of fiery red sandstone, and the snow-white marble slabs of the mausoleum 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 gentle colors.

Current problems

Thousands of tourists, for whom the masterpiece is a symbol of India, visit the Taj Mahal. The country is proud of the national treasure, and local authorities are very concerned about the security of the site for descendants. Unfortunately, the architectural monument with a huge history settles and is covered with cracks.

The former capital of the Mughal Empire, Agra (India) is a densely populated city with a bad environmental situation. The polluted air becomes the cause of the yellowness of the marble, and periodically, to improve the appearance of the building, it is rubbed with white clay. In addition, the cladding suffers from the pigeons sitting under the dome.

Tips for tourists

Before entering, all visitors are carefully examined. It is forbidden to bring lighters, cigarettes, food, mobile phones and even chewing gums to the mausoleum. Therefore, these things are not recommended to take with oneself.

On Fridays, tourists are not allowed to enter the Taj Mahal because Muslims gather in the nearby mosque in Agra to perform prayers.

The symbol of immortality

Entered into the list of new wonders of the world, the world masterpiece continues to excite the minds of the special beauty of architectural lines and luxury of decoration, and creative people and all lovers are worried by the sad history of creation.

Taj Mahal is stunning at first sight, and every visitor touches eternity, imprinted in marble. Becoming a symbol of fidelity and immortality, the ancient landmark will remain forever in memory, and the heart will preserve unforgettable impressions of what it has seen.