Taj Mahal is the greatest monument of love. Taj Mahal is a symbol of love Taj Mahal

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 the object world heritage UNESCO and called "the pearl of Muslim art in India, one of the universally recognized masterpieces of heritage, which is 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 Grand 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 keep 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 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 is the chief architect. 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 (Chiranjilal) from Delhi is the main 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 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 with a height of 41.6 meters, and are located on the same marble terrace, which is 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. Similarities in the layout of the garden and its architectural features with the Shalimar Gardens suggests that they may have been designed by the same architect, Ali Mardan.

Humayun's tomb in Delhi is very similar to the Taj Mahal both in Mughal origin and in appearance. 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 pretty large building(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 structure. 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 for workers' housing and later as a place to store supplies and a 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 3 more additional tanks located in different parts of the complex were used to equalize the pressure over the entire area 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 almost 500 years without the need for 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 start, 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. Supreme Court India denied P. N. Oak's request to declare the Taj Mahal a monument of Hindu culture.

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 high price due to 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 night visits cultural monument cost 750 rupees for foreigners and 500 rupees for citizens of India: they must be purchased 24 hours before the visit at the box office of the Archaeological Society for the Exploration of India 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 plane from Delhi 2. By rail from anywhere big 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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On July 7, 2007 in Lisbon (Portugal) the new seven wonders of the world were named and the mausoleum-mosque Taj Mahal was included in this list. It is located in Agra (India) near the Jumna River. The easiest way to get to the Taj Mahal is to fly to Delhi 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.

It is simply impossible to describe the magnificence and beauty of this mosque in words. It is truly fabulous and beautiful. architectural structure, which combines elements of Islamic, Persian and Indian architectural style.

The emergence of the Taj Mahal is the story of the tender love of Shah Jahan, the Mughal king, for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Even Prince Shah Jahan married a 19-year-old girl, and his love for her was boundless. Despite the possession of 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.

Over the grave of his wife, on the orders of Shah Jahan, the most beautiful Taj Mahal palace was built in which, a few years later, he himself was buried near the grave of his wife. 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 the ideas of the building 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 Lahauri. The construction of the palace began in 1631 in December. The construction of the central mausoleum was completed in 1648, and 5 years later the construction of the entire complex was completed. Over 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 from India and Asia. Blocks of marble were dragged by bulls along a specially built 15-kilometer ramp made of rammed earth. Sculptors from Bukhara, masons from Balochistan, inlay masters from South 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 an onion dome. Its height is 35 meters. His crown is in the Islamic style (horns of the month pointing upwards) and was originally made of gold, but in the 19th century it was replaced with a bronze copy.

The height of the mosque itself is 74 meters and is represented by a five-domed structure with four minarets at the corners. The minarets are slightly tilted in the opposite direction from the tomb, so as not to damage it during the destruction. A garden with a swimming pool and fountains adjoins the building. 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 becomes silvery, and at dawn - pink.

The exterior of the Taj Mahal is considered one of the finest examples of architecture. Various plasters, paints, carvings and stone inlays were used to create the decorative elements of the mosque. Also, excerpts from the Koran were used for the decorative and artistic design of the complex. On the gates of the Taj Mahal is inscribed: “O you, the soul of rest! Return to your Lord contented and satisfied! Enter with My servants. Enter My Paradise!"

The interior of the palace used a huge amount of semi-precious and precious stones. The inner hall of the Taj Mahal is a perfect octagon. The height of the walls is 25 meters, and the ceiling is decorated in the form of the sun and is represented by an inner dome.

The only asymmetric 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 than the cenotaph of Mumtaz, but decorated with the same decorative elements. On the gravestone of Mumtaz, calligraphic inscriptions are made that praise her, and on the grave of Jahan it is written: "He went on a journey from this world to the abode of Eternity on the night of the twenty-sixth day, the month of Rajab, 1076."

TO architectural complex adjoins a splendid garden that extends 300 meters in length. In the center of the park there is a water channel lined with marble and there is a pond in the middle of it. It reflects the image of the tomb. Initially, the garden struck with its abundance of vegetation, but over time, the landscaping of the garden has changed.

Myths and legends

There is a legend that Shah Jahan wanted to build an exact copy of the black marble palace on the opposite bank of the river, but did not have time. There is also a myth that the emperor brutally killed architects and craftsmen who took part in the construction of the palace, and all the builders signed an agreement in which they pledged 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 a fiction and a legend.

Tourism

The Taj Mahal mosque is visited by millions of tourists 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, then there is a feeling that the mausoleum is simply huge against the backdrop of trees and the environment. And by the way, planes are not allowed to fly over the Taj Mahal. The mosque is open to the public from 6 am to 7 pm on weekdays, except Friday, when prayers are held there. Also, the Taj Mahal is open for night viewing on the day of the full moon, including two days before and after the full moon, except for Friday and the month of Ramadan.

The girl that the Indian prince Jahan once saw in the market was so beautiful that he immediately brought her to the palace, making her his beloved wife: Mumtaz Mahal managed to captivate her husband so much that he did not look at other women until her death. At the same time, she did not sit at home, she always accompanied him on military campaigns and was the only person in the world whom he trusted and with whom he often consulted.

This gives reason to assert that the story that Mumtaz was of plebeian origin is a myth far from reality. In fact, she had a noble origin, was the daughter of a vizier and was a distant relative of Jahan's mother, and therefore received an extremely good education (otherwise, the young woman would hardly have been able to give constructive advice).

Together they lived for about seventeen years, during which time Mumtaz gave birth to her husband fourteen children, and died during the birth of the last child. First, she was buried in the city in which she died, in Burkhan-Nur, and six months later her remains were transported to one of the most prosperous cities in India, Agra. It was here that the inconsolable widower decided to build a tomb for his wife, which, in terms of beauty, should have become worthy of Mumtaz and, by its very appearance, would tell the descendants of an incredible love story.

In which city to build the mausoleum of the Taj Mahal (“taj” means “crown”, “mahal” - “palace”), it was decided almost immediately: the suburb of Agra, one of the most beautiful and developed cities in India, located on the banks of the river, was best suited for this. way. In order to be able to build a mosque on the chosen territory, Shah Jahan had to exchange this site for a palace located in the center of Agra.

He did not have to regret this: this area near the city was not only extremely beautiful and picturesque, but also turned out to be seismically stable - in the years that have passed since the completion of construction work, earthquakes have failed to cause serious damage to the structure.

The main building was designed by Turkish architect Ismail Afandi from the Ottoman Empire, and his compatriot Usatad Isa is considered the creator of the architectural image of the monument - it was their projects that Jahan liked the most. The choice of the ruler turned out to be successful: the erected Taj Mahal (Agra) turned out to be one of the most outstanding monuments in the world, successfully combining the styles of Indian, Persian and Islamic directions, and was recently recognized as one of the wonders of the world.

Construction of the tomb

The construction of the Taj Mahal began in 1632 and the construction lasted twenty-one years (while the tomb was completed ten years earlier). To build this unique complex, more than 20 thousand workers from all over India, as well as architects, artists, sculptors from neighboring countries were involved in the construction work.

The area near the city (Agra) with a size of 1.2 hectares was dug up, after which, in order to reduce the flowability of the soil, the soil was replaced on it. The level of the site planned for the construction of the mosque was raised 50 meters above the shore. After that, the workers dug wells, filled them with rubble stone, thus obtaining a foundation, which, moreover, was supposed to play the role of a kind of pillow during earthquakes and would not allow the complex to collapse.

An interesting fact: instead of bamboo scaffolding, the architects decided to use brick scaffolding: it was easier to work with heavy marble. The stone scaffolding looked so impressive that the architects were afraid that it would take several years to dismantle them. Jahan found a way out by announcing that any resident of Agra could take the required number of bricks for himself - and the scaffolding was dismantled in a few days.

In order to deliver building materials to the mosque, the Hindus built a gently sloping earthen platform, along which bulls dragged luggage that was on specially designed carts. They were delivered to the city from all over India (and not only). The most important building material - white marble was brought to the city from Makrana and Rajasthan, located at a distance of 300 km from Agra.

Raised marble blocks to the desired height with the help of special devices. The water needed for construction work was first extracted from the river, after which it was poured into the reservoir, from where it rose into a special reservoir and was directed through pipes to the construction site.

architectural complex

All buildings of the architectural complex Taj Mahal, Agra were extremely carefully planned from a geometric point of view. The central building of the complex is a mausoleum that tells about the love story of the ruling couple of India. Surrounding this wonder of the world on three sides are battlements erected from red sandstone, thus leaving the view open only from the side of the river.

The tomb of the Taj Mahal, Agra is surrounded by several more tombs in which other wives of the ruler were buried (they were also built from red sandstone, which was often used in the construction of crypts of that time). Not far from the main mausoleum is the Musical House (now there is a museum).

The main gate, like the main building, is made of marble, the entrance is decorated with an openwork white portico, on top - the eleventh dome, on the sides there are two towers with white domes. On both sides of the central tomb, two large structures were built of red sandstone: the building on the left was used by the inhabitants of Agra, and the right served as a boarding house. They were built for balance - so that nothing would collapse during an earthquake.

In front of the mausoleum there is a luxurious park, the length of which is 300 meters. In the middle of the park, there is an irrigation canal lined with marble, in the center of which a pool was built, in which the mausoleum is completely reflected (paths lead from it to four minarets).

According to the descriptions of eyewitnesses, in the old days Agra and its park struck with an abundance of vegetation: roses, daffodils, a huge number of garden trees grew here. After India came under the British Empire, its appearance changed significantly - and it began to look like an ordinary English lawn.

What does the tomb look like?

The main building of this architectural complex, which is located in the city of Agra, is the Taj Mahal mausoleum built of white marble. It is best viewed from the river, since the wall has not been installed on this side.

It looks especially chic at dawn: the tomb is reflected in the water, creating the illusion of unreality and, if you look at it from the opposite bank, you get the impression that this miracle is floating in the predawn fog, and the rays that have appeared create an amazing play of color on the walls.

Such airiness and a feeling of “hovering” to the mausoleum are given, first of all, by unusual proportions, when the height of the building has the same dimensions as its width, as well as a huge dome, which seems to carry away smaller elements of the structure – four small domes and minarets.

The mausoleum of the Taj Mahal, Agra tells the world about the beautiful love story between Jahan and Mumtaz Maha, and has incredible beauty. The height and width of the mausoleum is 74 meters. The facade of the tomb is square in shape, while semicircular niches are built into it, giving the massive building a weightless look. The mausoleum is crowned with a marble dome 35 meters high, shaped like an onion.

The top of the dome is decorated with a month, the horns of which are directed upwards (until the 19th century it was golden, and then it was replaced with an exact copy made of bronze).

At the corners of the tomb, emphasizing the shape of the main dome, there are four smaller vaults that completely repeat its shape. At the corners of the mausoleum, at a slight slope in the opposite direction from the tomb, there are four towers (minarets) decorated with gilding, about 50 m high (the slope was provided at an early stage of construction work so that they could not harm the main structure if they fell).

The walls of the Taj Mahal (Agra) are painted with a fine pattern and built of white marble with gems inserted into it (28 types of precious stones in total). Especially a lot of decorating elements can be seen on the pedestals, gates, mosques, as well as at the bottom of the mausoleum.

Thanks to the unique marble, the mausoleum looks different throughout the day: during the day the tomb is white, at dawn it is pink, and on a moonlit night it becomes silvery. Previously, the entrance doors were made of pure silver, but later, like many other valuable decorative elements, they were stolen (by whom - history is silent).

Inside view

Inside, the Taj Mahal (city of Agra) looks no less remarkable than the outside. The entrance to the mausoleum is decorated with a gallery with graceful columns. The hall inside the tomb is an octagon, which can be accessed from either side of the tomb (now this can only be done from the side of the park). Inside the hall, behind a marble screen, there are two sarcophagi made of white marble, which in reality are false tombs, since the graves themselves are under the floor.

On the cover of the sarcophagus of the ruler's wife, inscriptions praising her are engraved. The only asymmetric element in the entire complex is Jahan's sarcophagus, which was installed after his death: the ruler's coffin is slightly larger than the coffin of his wife. The height of the walls inside the building is 25 m, and the ceiling decorated with the sun is made in the form of an inner dome.

The entire space inside the hall is divided by eight arches, above which you can read quotes from the Koran. Four middle arches form balconies with windows through which light enters the hall (besides these windows, the sun's rays enter the room through special openings in the roof). The second floor of the mausoleum can be reached by one of the two side stairs. The walls inside the tomb are everywhere decorated with mosaics of gems, which form various symbols, plants, flowers, letters.

Death of Jahan

After the completion of the construction of the Taj Mahal, Agra, the son of the ruler, Aurangzeb, overthrew his father from the throne and put him in prison, in which the former ruler spent several years (according to one of the legends, her windows overlooked the tomb of his beloved wife he built).

After the death of Jahan, the son fulfilled the will of his father and buried him next to his wife. Thus ended the love story, capturing the memory of itself for centuries in a unique structure that still stands today.

The mausoleum-mosque of the Taj Mahal is a recognized masterpiece of world heritage and one of the seven New Wonders of the World, which is located in the city of Agra near the Jumna River in India. The mosque was built in the 17th century by order of Shah Jahan, the padishah of the Mughal Empire, who dedicated the construction of the Taj Mahal to his wife Mumtaz Mahal (later the Indian Shah himself was buried here).

The history of the Taj Mahal mausoleum in India

The creation of the Taj Mahal is associated with the legend of the love of the padishah Shah Jahan and the girl Mumtaz Mahal, who traded at the local market. The Indian ruler was so captivated by her beauty that they soon got married. In a happy marriage, 14 children were born, but during the birth of the last child, Mumtaz Mahal died. Shah Jahan was depressed by the death of his beloved wife and in memory of her ordered the construction of a mausoleum, more beautiful than anywhere else.

The construction of the Taj Mahal began in 1632 and was completed in 1653. About 20 thousand craftsmen and workers from all over the empire were involved in the construction. A group of architects worked on the mosque, but the main idea belongs to Ustad Ahmad Lahauri, there is also a version that the main author of the project is the Persian architect Ustad Isa (Isa Muhammad Effendi).

The construction of the tomb and platform took approximately 12 years. Over the next ten years, minarets, a mosque, a javab and a large gate were erected.

Tombs of King Shah Jahan and his wife Mumtaz Mahal

Taj Mahal - a wonder of the world: the architecture of the mosque

The Taj Mahal Palace is a five-domed structure with 4 minarets at the corners. Inside the mausoleum there are two tombs - the shah and his wife.

The mosque was erected on a platform, the strength of the foundation is due to the fact that the level of the site was raised 50 meters above the level of the bank of the Jamna River. The total height of the Taj Mahal is 74 meters. In front of the building there is a three-hundred-meter garden with fountains and a marble pool, at a certain angle, the entire structure is symmetrically reflected in its waters.

The most notable component of the Indian Taj Mahal is the white marble dome. The walls are also lined with polished translucent marble with elements of precious stones and gems (pearls, sapphires, turquoise, agate, malachite, carnelian and others). The Taj Mahal Mosque is made in accordance with the Islamic religious tradition, the interior is decorated with abstract symbols and lines from the Koran.

The Taj Mahal is considered the jewel of Muslim art in the country of India and the finest example of Mughal style architecture that combines Indian, Persian and Arabic elements.

Since 2007, the Indian Taj Mahal has been on the list of the New 7 Wonders of the World.
What is the Taj Mahal? This name is translated from Persian as "The Greatest Palace" ("Taj" - a crown, "Mahal" - a palace).
Many valuable interior items of the Taj Mahal were stolen - precious stones, gems, the crown of the main dome - a golden spire and even entrance doors made of silver.
Due to the characteristics of marble, in different time day and depending on the weather, the Taj Mahal mosque is able to change color: during the day the building looks white, pink at dawn, and silver on a moonlit night.
Tens of thousands of people visit the Taj Mahal daily; per year - from 3 to 5 million people. Peak season is October, November and February.
The Taj Mahal has been featured in many films, the most popular of which are: "Armageddon", "Mars Attacks!", "Before You Play Box", "Life After People", "The Last Dance", "Slumdog Millionaire".
Airplanes are not allowed to fly over the Taj Mahal.

How to visit: price, tickets, opening hours

Entry fee*: for foreigners - 1000 INR**, for citizens of India - 530 INR.**

*The ticket includes a visit to the Taj Mahal, the ancient fort (Agra Fort) and Mini Taj (Baby Taj) - the tomb of Itimad-ud-Daula.
**INR - Indian Rupee (1000 INR = 15.32 $)
** Prices are as of October 2017

Opening hours:

Daytime: 6:00 - 19:00 (weekdays, except Fridays - the day of prayers in the mosque).
Evening time: 20:30 - 00:30 (2 days before and 2 days after the full moon, except Fridays and the month of Ramadan).

Visiting Rules: only small handbags are allowed to be brought into the Taj Mahal, Cell phones, cameras, small video cameras, water in transparent bottles.

How to get to the Taj Mahal Temple

Where is the Taj Mahal: India, Uttar Pradesh, Agra, Tejginj district, Forest Koloni, Dharmaperi.

If you are vacationing in Goa and want to get to the Taj Mahal, then there are no direct flights from Goa airport to Agra. By plane you can fly to Delhi, and from there there are daily flights to the city of Agra. The distance between Goa and Agra is about 2000 km.

From Delhi to Agra on your own: by plane - 3-4 hours on the way; by bus - $15-20 (3 hours on the way); morning train 12002 Bhopal Shatabdi - 5-10 $ (2-3 hours on the way).

The easiest way: book a tour or organization individual tour to Agra with a visit to the Taj Mahal. Most popular: Goa-Agra tour, Delhi-Agra tour.

To be closer to a popular attraction or to see the Taj Mahal from the rooftops of hotels and guesthouses, book hotels in Agra using the convenient Planet of Hotels service.

2.5 km from the Taj Mahal is the second most popular attraction of the city - Agra Fort. So you can see two architectural masterpieces in one day.

Taj Mahal on Agra map

The Taj Mahal mausoleum located in Agra is one of the most recognizable landmarks not only in India but throughout the world. The construction was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died during childbirth. The Taj Mahal is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in the world and also a symbol of eternal love. In this article I will tell you about the history of this miracle, as well as about the most interesting facts and events associated with it

Taj Mahal is the most outstanding example of Mughal architecture, combining elements of Persian, Islamic and Indian architectural styles. In 1983, the Taj Mahal was included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is essentially an integrated complex of structures, the central and iconic component of which is a white domed marble mausoleum. Construction began in 1632 and was completed in 1653, and day and night, thousands of artisans and craftsmen worked to create this miracle. A council of architects worked on the construction, but the main one was Ustad Ahmad Lahauri

Let's start from the very beginning, namely with what inspired the emperor to build such a miracle. In 1631, grief befell Emperor Shah Jahan, the ruler of the Mughal Empire at the height of its power. His third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, died while giving birth to their 14th child. A year later, construction began, which Shah Jahan decided on, driven by his irrepressible grief and strong love for his dead wife.

The main mausoleum was completed in 1648 and the surrounding buildings and garden were completed 5 years later. Let's proceed to the description of each of the structural elements of the complex in detail

Mausoleum Taj Mahal

The tomb is the architectural center of the Taj Mahal complex. This huge, white marble structure stands on a square plinth and consists of a symmetrical building with an arched opening, topped by a large dome. Like most Mughal tombs, the main elements here are of Persian origin.

Inside the mausoleum there are two tombs - the shah and his beloved wife. The height of the building is 74 meters, including the platform, and there are 4 minarets in the corners, slightly tilted to the side. This was done so that in the event of a fall, they would not damage the central building.

The marble dome that adorns the tomb is the most breathtaking part of the Taj Mahal. Its height is 35 meters. Due to its special shape, it is often called an onion dome. The shape of the dome is emphasized by four smaller domed figures placed at the corners of the tomb, which follow the onion shape of the main dome.

The domes are topped with gilded figures in the traditional Persian style. The crown of the main dome was originally made of gold, but in the 19th century it was replaced by a replica made of bronze. The crown is titled with a month in typical Islamic style, its horns point upwards.

The minarets, each 40 meters high, also display perfect symmetry. They were designed to function - a traditional element of mosques that calls the Islamic believer to prayer. Each minaret is divided into three equal parts by two working balconies encircling the tower. All decorative design elements of the minarets are also gilded.

Exterior
The exterior design of the Taj Mahal can undoubtedly be ranked among the best examples of world architecture. Since the surface of the structure is different in different areas, the decoration is chosen proportionally. The decorative elements were created using various paints, plasters, stone inlays and carvings. In accordance with the Islamic ban on the use of anthropomorphic forms, decorative elements are grouped into symbols, abstract forms and floral motifs.

Throughout the complex, passages from the Koran are also used as decorative elements. On the gate at the entrance to the park complex of the Taj Mahal, four verses from the 89th sura of the Koran "Dawn" are applied, addressed to the human soul:
“O thou soul at rest! Return to your Lord contented and satisfied! Enter with My servants. Enter My Paradise!"

Abstract forms are used throughout, especially in plinths, minarets, gates, mosques, and even on tomb surfaces. At the lower levels of the tomb, realistic marble figures of flowers and vines are applied. All these images are polished and inlaid with stones such as yellow marble, jasper and jade.

Interior

The interior of the Taj Mahal goes far from traditional decorative elements. Inside, a large number of precious and semi-precious stones were used, and the inner hall is a perfect octagon, which can be accessed from any side of the structure. However, only the south door on the garden side is used.
The inner walls are 25 meters high with a ceiling in the form of an inner dome adorned with the sun. Eight large arches divide the interior space into proportional parts. Four central arches form balconies and viewing platforms with a viewing window carved in marble. In addition to these windows, light also enters through special openings at the corners of the roof. Like the outside, everything inside is decorated with bas-reliefs and inlays.

Muslim tradition forbids the decoration of graves. Consequently, the bodies of Mumtaz and Shah Jahan were placed in a simple crypt, with their faces turned towards Mecca. Both the base and the coffin itself are carefully inlaid with precious stones. The calligraphic inscriptions on the tombstone praise Mumtaz. The rectangular rhombus on the lid of her tomb was supposedly designed to be written on. The cenotaph of Shah Jahan is located next to Mumtaz, and is the only asymmetric element in the entire complex, as it was completed later. It is larger than the wife's coffin, but decorated with the same elements.

Shah Jahan's tomb bears a calligraphic inscription that reads: "He set off on a journey from this world to the abode of Eternity on the night of the twenty-sixth day, the month of Rajab, 1076."

Taj Mahal Gardens
We turn to the description of the magnificent garden adjacent to the architectural complex. The Mughal garden is 300 meters long. The architects came up with raised paths that divide each of the 4 parts of the garden into 16 deepened beds. The water channel in the center of the park is lined with marble, with a reflecting pond located in the middle, between the tomb and the gate. It reflects the image of the tomb. The emperor was inspired to create a garden after seeing the same luxuries from the Persian sheikhs. The Taj Mahal garden is unusual in that the main element, the mausoleum, is located at the end of the garden. Early sources describe a garden with an abundance of vegetation, including exquisite varieties of roses, daffodils, hundreds of fruit trees. But over time, the Mughal empire weakened, and there was no one to guard the gardens. During the reign of the British Empire, the landscaping of the garden was modified, and it began to resemble an ordinary lawn in the center of London.

adjoining buildings
The Taj Mahal complex is bounded on three sides by jagged red sandstone walls, while the side that runs along the river is left open. Outside the walls of the central structure, there are several additional mausoleums where the rest of Jahan's wives are buried, as well as a large grave of Mumtaz's beloved servant. These structures are built of red sandstone, typical of the tombs of the Mughal era. Nearby is the Musical House, which is now used as a museum. The main gate is a monumental structure built of marble. Its archways follow the shape of those of the tomb, and the arches are decorated with the same elements as the tomb. All elements are carefully planned from a geometric point of view

At the far end of the complex are two large buildings of the same red sandstone, located on either side of the tomb. They are absolutely identical, the building on the left was used as a mosque, and the identical building on the right was built for symmetry, but may have been used as a boarding house. These buildings were completed in 1643.

History of the construction of the Taj Mahal
Here I will talk about interesting facts from the history of the construction of the complex. The Taj Mahal was built on a piece of land south of the city of Agra. Shah Jahan gave Maharaja Jai Singh a large palace in the center of Agra in exchange for this land. Large-scale earthworks were carried out on the territory of the complex. A huge pit was dug and filled with mud to reduce the flow of the soil. The site itself was raised 50 meters above the river level. When constructing the foundation of the tomb, deep wells were dug, which were filled with rubble for drainage and foundation support. Instead of scaffolding from bamboo, the workers built huge brick pillars surrounding the tomb - this greatly facilitated further work. Later, it took years to dismantle these scaffolds - they were so huge. In order to speed up this process, Shah Jahan allowed the peasants to use these bricks for their needs.

A fifteen-kilometer trench was dug in the ground to transport marble and other materials to the construction site. Bundles of 20-30 oxen pulled large blocks on specially designed carts. A system of special reservoirs was built to supply water from the river to the canal and to the complex itself. The pedestal and tomb of the Taj Mahal were built in 12 years, while the rest of the complex took another 10 years to complete. The total cost of construction was approximately 32 million rupees at that time.

For the construction of the complex, materials from all over Asia were used. More than a thousand elephants were used for transportation. In total, twenty-eight types of precious and semi-precious stones were set in white marble. 20,000 workers from northern India Most likely they did the hardest work in slave conditions, since even today people in India work as slaves - for example, the article "Child Labor in India". Sculptors from Bukhara, calligraphers from Syria and Persia, stone carvers from Balochistan, Turkey, Iran were also involved.

Shortly after the completion of the Taj Mahal, Shah Jahan was overthrown by his own son Aurangzeb and arrested at the Delhi Fort. After his death, he was buried in a mausoleum next to his beloved wife. By the end of the 19th century, parts of the building fell into disrepair. The Taj Mahal was looted by British soldiers and officials who carved precious materials from the walls of the building. Then Lord Curzon conceived a large-scale reconstruction, which ended in 1908. At the same time, the famous garden was also modified, giving the lawns a British style.

In 1942, the government erected scaffolding in an attempt to disguise the Taj Mahal from attack by Luftwaffe and Japanese airmen. air force. The same action was taken during the India-Pakistan Wars of 1965 and 1971. This had an effect, and the structure remained unharmed.

Currently, the complex is threatened by environmental pollution. Due to the pollution of the Jumna River, there is a threat of its shallowing and soil erosion. Cracks began to appear in the walls of the tomb, and the mausoleum began to subside. Due to air pollution, the building began to lose its whiteness, a yellow coating appeared, which has to be cleaned every year. The Government of India is taking urgent action by shutting down hazardous industries in Agra and expanding the protected area, but this has not yet had an effect.

The Taj Mahal is India's top tourist attraction, attracting between 2 and 4 million tourists annually, more than 200,000 of them from abroad. There is a special entry price for Indian citizens, many times lower than for foreigners. The complex brings a lot of money to the state treasury, replenishing the budget. Most tourists visit the complex from October, during the cooler season. Due to measures to protect nature, buses are not allowed here, from special remote parking lots, an electric tram brings tourists

The Taj Mahal is included in the list of the New Seven Wonders of the World, as a result of a worldwide vote held in 2007. The monument is open to the public from 6:00 to 19:00 on weekdays, except for Fridays, when prayers are held in the mosque. For security reasons, only water in transparent bottles, small video cameras, photo cameras, mobile phones and small women's handbags are allowed to be brought into the territory