Taj Mahal Mosque history. Taj Mahal - the greatest monument to love

You cannot fly an airplane over it. You can get into it at night, but only during the full moon. All the architects who worked on it were killed. This is the Taj Mahal. Heart of India.

History of the Taj Mahal in India

The Taj Mahal was built in honor of a woman. Who was loved very much and who died. A descendant of Khan Tamerlane, the Great Mongol Emperor Shah Jahan ordered the construction of a palace in honor of his late wife Mumtaz Mahal. Taj Mahal translates as “the chosen one of the palace.” According to the traditions of that time, the khan had a huge harem, but he loved only his wife.

The silhouette of the Taj Mahal in India is instantly recognizable by people all over the world. It is one of the most photographed buildings in history. Made of white marble, decorated with gold and semi-precious stones, this structure testifies to the wealth of the state and the skill of the craftsmen of the 17th century. And of course, about great love.

It is not surprising that the Taj Mahal is the most popular place on the map of India. More than 3 million people visit it annually.

Shah Jahan and his Love

Contemporaries called Shah Jahan the ruler of the world. He ruled his empire for 30 years and during this time the country came to cultural and political prosperity.

When Shah was a fifteen-year-old boy, he met a girl in the market. She was 14 and selling trinkets. It was Arju-mand Banu Begam. The history of the Taj Mahal in India began with this meeting. According to legend, the young lovers immediately fell in love with each other. But the Shah was forced to enter into a marriage beneficial to the dynasty. His wife was a Persian princess. The first of the four permitted by Islam. The Shah married his beloved for the second time. A new name - Mumtaz Mahal - was given to her by her father-in-law, the great Khan Jahangir.

The relationship of the young couple was cloudless, trusting and tender. According to contemporaries, the emperor's wife was beautiful and wise. And also brave. Pregnant, she accompanied him on the campaign and died in childbirth. This was to be their fourteenth child. Mumtaz Mahal was 39 years old.

True or not, when she died, the woman allegedly asked her lover to fulfill two of her wishes. First, he will not marry again, so as not to create enmity between the heirs. And secondly, to erect a mausoleum in her honor, the like of which the world has never seen. The emperor promised to fulfill both requests and kept his word.

After the death of his wife, the ruler locked himself in his room for eight days, did not drink or eat. During this time he grew very old. And when he left, he began to create the most majestic mausoleum in India called the Taj Mahal.

Construction of the palace

The best craftsmen from Baghdad, Istanbul, Samarkand and many other cities came to the emperor’s call. Everyone presented their project. More than others, the ruler liked the sketches drawn by the Iranian Istad Usa. A famous architect at that time. Istad Usa never saw how and who built the Taj Mahal in India based on its model. He was blinded so that he would not do anything like this again. It is possible, of course, that this is a fiction and the poor architect was not harmed. It is also known that, besides him, French and Venetian masters were also involved in design work.

The palace was founded in Agra in 1632. Only 10 years later work on the central building was completed.

Architectural features of the Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal palace in India is a whole complex of buildings. Here are the main ones:

the mausoleum itself (a five-domed temple, the largest dome resembles a flower bud; the height of the entire structure is 74 m);
four minarets (they were designed and installed at a slight angle from the tomb, so that if they fell they would not hit it);
two identical sandstone buildings;
garden (with fountains and a swimming pool);
huge gates (according to Muslim beliefs, they seem to lead from the kingdom of the senses to the kingdom of the spirit, symbolizing the gates to paradise; immediately behind the gates there is a view of the mausoleum, which is reflected in the water of the pool; initially the doors were silver, later they were replaced by copper).

A staircase leads to the mausoleum. Since the Taj Mahal in India is also a kind of mosque, it is customary to take off your shoes at the entrance. The building is lined with marble. It is translucent and polished. The marble had to be delivered 300 km away. It reflects light amazingly - it looks pink in the morning, white during the day, and silver at night.

There are openwork grilles on the windows and arches, and suras from the Koran are engraved in black marble in the passages. The walls are covered with gilding, marble mosaics and ornaments. It used 1.5 thousand tons of diamonds, pearls, agate, carnelian, malachite and turquoise. In the center of the mausoleum there are marble screens, and behind them are the tombs. They always have fresh flowers. But these tombs are false, empty. The bodies of the Shah and his wife are located under the building, in a crypt.

The Taj Mahal Temple in India took 22 years to build. This required the labor of 20 thousand builders. The work on the temple was carried out by the best craftsmen - sculptors from Bukhara, Syrian calligraphers, jewelers from South India.

Later the temple was looted and many precious stones disappeared.

The park around the mausoleum is also very beautiful. The paths are paved with marble. The pool, which is located in front of the main entrance, is lined with cypress trees. In these parts they are considered to be trees of sorrow.

At the entrance to the garden there is a mosque made of red sandstone. It has eleven domes and two minarets.

The entire complex stands on the banks of the Jamuna River. The mausoleum is reflected in the water ripples. The image is unclear, which evokes thoughts of the unearthly nature of the Taj Mahal. In the morning at dawn, fog rises over the river and the palace seems to be floating in the clouds.

The fate of Shah Jahan

The Emperor had completed the construction of India's most beautiful palace, the Taj Mahal, and was about to begin the next one. The Shah wanted to build the same mausoleum on the opposite bank of the river, but from black marble. And connect both complexes with a bridge. This bridge was supposed to symbolize the victory of love over death.

But the emperor’s health failed. He planned to hand over control of the country to his first son, with whom he was close. But this was prevented by the intrigues of the Shah’s second son. He spread gossip that his father had lost his mind and was not allowed to choose his own heir. It was the second son who ascended the throne. He got rid of his brothers and imprisoned his father. It is not known exactly where the fallen emperor spent his last years. Most historians are inclined to believe that he was kept in the Red Fort. This building is opposite the mausoleum, on the opposite bank of the river. Shah spent the last eight years of his life there. I could admire the Taj Mahal and remember my beloved. He is buried with her in the palace crypt.

The fate of the Taj Mahal

Descendants did not treat the mausoleum with the same reverence as its creator. Two centuries later, the palace was perceived more as a place for entertainment, rather than as a shrine. Girls could afford to dance on the terrace, and rich young couples came to Agra, a city in India near the Taj Mahal, to celebrate their wedding. The mosque and guest house on the territory of the complex could easily be rented.

Following the Indians themselves, the British colonialists continued to plunder the Taj Mahal. They took stones, carpets and even doors. They easily came to the palace with a hammer and chisel to make it easier to tear out jewelry. At one point, the Governor General of India even planned to demolish the Taj Mahal and sell the marble. The palace was saved by the fact that at that time there were no buyers.

The mausoleum suffered even greater destruction during the Indian uprising of 1857 and at the end of the 19th century was in complete decline. The garden is overgrown, the graves are desecrated.

Another governor-general took up the task of restoration. Lord Curzon. The restoration of the Taj Mahal was completed in 1908.

The next danger came to the Palace in the second half of the 20th century. Agra, a city in India, next to the Taj Mahal, became an industrial center. Acid rain rained down on the Taj Mahal, damaging the marble. Only in the late 90s did the Indian authorities order all hazardous production to be moved from Agra.

Now the Taj Mahal is the main symbol of India. A tear on the cheek of eternity.

The Taj Mahal Mausoleum, located in the city of Agra, is one of the most famous landmarks in the whole world. The structure was erected by Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died during childbirth. This sad and incredibly touching story gives the mausoleum an aura of romance. The Taj Mahal is the most beautiful building in the world, which has become a symbol of eternal love.

When looking at this snow-white, huge, but at the same time seemingly airy building, an inexplicable feeling of sadness certainly arises. It is known from history that this mausoleum was built for Mumtaz Mahal, the beloved third wife of Shah Jahan, who died in 1631 while giving birth to their fourteenth child. The Shah's grief was so great that neither a huge harem, nor gold and jewelry could drown it out. The creation of this building, incredible in scale and beauty, seems to serve as an expression of deep sorrow and a declaration of eternal love.

The Taj Mahal Mausoleum is also a unique example of architecture, combining elements of Indian, Persian and Islamic styles. This building is a complex of structures, the central and main element of which is a white marble mausoleum.

The construction of this miracle lasted for years (began in 1632, ended in 1653), thousands of craftsmen and artisans were involved, and a whole council of architects headed by Ustad Ahmad Lahauri worked. By 1648, the main mausoleum was completed, but the adjacent buildings and garden were completed only five years later.

Taj Mahal Mausoleum

The architectural center of the Taj Mahal complex is the tomb. It is simply huge in size, made of white marble, located on a square pedestal and is a symmetrical building with an arched opening, topped with a large dome. The main architectural elements are of Persian origin.

Inside the mausoleum there are two tombs - Mumtaz Mahal and the Shah himself. The height of the structure reaches 74 meters; at its corners there are 4 minarets, slightly inclined towards the building. This was done on purpose so that if they fell, they could not damage it.

The marble dome of the mausoleum has a peculiar shape, due to which it is called the “onion dome” and has a height of 35 meters. Its shape is emphasized by four smaller domes located at the corners of the tomb and having the same “onion” shape.

The main dome was decorated with a crescent crown made of pure gold, which was replaced in the 19th century by a bronze copy.

Minarets were created as active parts of mosques from which the Muslim call to prayer sounds. Each minaret is 40 meters high and is divided into three equal parts by encircling balconies. The decorative elements that decorate the minarets are also gilded.

Exterior of the Taj Mahal

The exterior of the Taj Mahal is rightfully recognized as one of the best in the world. The decorative design is made using various types of plaster, paints, inlays and carved elements. In Islam, the use of anthropomorphic forms is prohibited, so the elements are symbols, abstractions and plant motifs.

The entire complex is decorated with passages from the Koran as decorative elements. At the entrance to the Taj Mahal Park, four verses of the 89th sura of the Koran “Al-Fajr” (Dawn) are inscribed on the gate:

“O soul who has found peace in truth!

Return to your Lord, satisfied with the bliss of the mercies of Allah, having won the favor of Allah with your good deeds committed in earthly life!

Join the ranks of My pious servants!

Enter My paradise - the abode of eternal bliss!

Abstract shapes decorate many parts of the complex. They are found on pedestals, minarets, gates, mosques and on grave surfaces. Along the bottom of the tomb are marble figurines of flowers and vines. All images are carefully polished and inlaid with yellow marble, jasper and jade.

Taj Mahal interior

The interior of the Taj Mahal is not entirely traditional. The interior decoration is rich in elements with precious and semi-precious stones and inlays, and the hall is an octagon of a perfectly regular shape, which can be entered from any side. But only one door is used, from the south on the garden side.

The ceiling of the hall is made in the form of an internal dome, and is decorated in the shape of the sun. The interior space of the hall is divided into parts by eight large arches. Balconies and viewing platforms are formed by four central arches. The hall is illuminated by a viewing window and special openings in the corners of the roof.

In the center of the hall are the tombs of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan. They are lavishly decorated with precious stones. On the tombstone of Mumtaz Mahal there are inscriptions praising her, and there is also a rectangle, according to one version, intended for writing. The only asymmetrical element in the entire Mausoleum complex is the tomb of Shah Jahan, the reason for this is that it was completed later. It is decorated with the same decorative elements, but larger in size.

Taj Mahal Gardens

The garden located in front of the Taj Mahal mausoleum is simply beautiful. It is 300 meters long, in four parts, which are divided by original raised paths into sixteen flower beds. The canal located in the center of the garden is lined with marble and reflects the image of the mausoleum like in a mirror. An earlier description of the park contains mention of an abundance of vegetation - a variety of fruit trees, exquisite roses, and daffodils. However, during the reign of Britain, the garden was changed almost beyond recognition - all the vegetation was reduced to an ordinary green lawn.

Adjoining buildings

In addition to the main elements of the Mausoleum, the complex has several small mausoleums where the remaining wives of the Shah are buried, and in a larger building - the beloved servant Mumtaz Mahal. The main gate is a monumental structure made of marble. The gate passage follows the shape of the vaulted passages of the mausoleum, and the arches are decorated with the same decorative elements. All elements of the complex are surprisingly precisely planned geometrically and symmetrically in relation to the main building.

History of the construction of the Taj Mahal

The plot of land on which the Taj Mahal was built was purchased by Shah Jahan from Maharaja Jai Singh in exchange for a large palace in the center of Agra. To carry out the construction work, a giant pit was dug, then it was filled with dirt to strengthen the soil, and the construction site itself was raised 50 meters above the river level. In addition, deep wells were dug and filled with rubble to drain water. Strong brick scaffolding was erected, making construction much easier.

In order to transport materials to the construction site, a fifteen-meter trench was dug, along which teams of 20-30 oxen pulled huge blocks. A system of reservoirs was created to supply the complex with water from the river. The total construction cost was around 32 million rupees.

And almost immediately after the completion of the Taj Mahal, Aurangzeb overthrew his father Shah Jahan and imprisoned him in the Delhi Fort.

By the end of the 19th century, the majestic structure fell into disrepair and was plundered by the British. Lord Curzon carried out an almost complete reconstruction of the Taj Mahal and garden.

Nowadays, a new threat has arisen over the complex - environmental pollution is gradually leading to the destruction of the mausoleum building. The government is taking measures to change the situation, but so far to no avail.

The Taj Mahal is India's top attraction, attracting about 3 million tourists every year. This is a significant source of income for the country's budget. It is open to the public every day except Friday.

According to legend, a black reflection of the Taj Mahal should appear on the other bank of the Jamna River - Shah Jahan planned to build such a mausoleum for himself. However, his plans were not destined to come true due to the betrayal of his son.

Taj Mahal- a mausoleum located in north-central India in Agra, on the banks of the Jamna River.

Built by order of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died during childbirth. Inside the mausoleum there are two tombs - the Shah and his wife. In fact, their burial place is underground.

Shah Jahan

Mughal ruler Shah Jahan(1592-1666, reigned 1627-1658) erected this monument as the tomb of his beloved wife Arjumand Banu, better known by her title Mumtaz Mahal or Taj Mahal(Crown of the Palace), who died in 1631.

The width of the entire river side is raised on a platform with high (41 m) minarets at the four corners. On the western side of the platform there is a mosque, on the eastern side there is a reception hall (house for visitors). In the center of the platform there is a tomb with a square plan with beveled corners. The designs for the tomb were prepared by the best architects of the Mughal Empire. The mausoleum is located in the center of a vast rectangular area (length 600 m, width 300 m).

The greatest work of architectural architecture, a modern wonder of the world, is the Indian mausoleum of the Taj Mahal. Every visitor to India is sure to admire this wonderful building. The Taj Mahal leaves no one indifferent either with its splendor or its legend.

An artificial canal leads to the Taj Mahal, surrounded by amazing cypress trees. Next to the Mausoleum there are two mosques made of red sandstone. The majestic structure along with green lawns and bright flowers create the impression that you are in a fairy tale. The best time to view the beautiful palace is early in the morning. It seems that the Taj Mahal is floating in the air.

History of the construction of the Taj Mahal mausoleum

This amazing structure was built by order of Padishah Shah Jahan in memory of his beautiful wife, who died untimely during childbirth, in memory of their selfless love for each other. The Padishah wanted to build a palace made of black marble opposite the Taj Mahal. He dreamed of connecting the two palaces with a bridge. But his plans failed to come true. He died in captivity, admiring the beautiful palace and dreaming of meeting his wife in another world. After the death of the padishah, he was buried in the same Mausoleum.

The mausoleum took about 22 years to build. All elements of the Mausoleum are symmetrical, the proportions are maintained and are multiples of four. The height of the Mausoleum is 74 meters. Everything is measured down to the millimeter, and the possibility of destruction in the event of an earthquake or hurricane is taken into account.
White marble was used for the construction of the building. Depending on the time of day, the color of the marble changes. The Mausoleum is decorated with elegant carvings, lattices with precious stones, and suras from the Koran in Arabic are painted on the ceiling.

In the center of the Mausoleum there are false tombs, while the real ones are located under the floor.

Over the entire period, 20 thousand people participated in the construction. The name of the architect is not known, but researchers are convinced that the construction of the palace was the work of residents of Iran, India, and Central Asia.

Hidden symbols and signs

Centuries pass, but the Taj Mahal only gets prettier and delights guests with its unfading beauty. The beauty of the structure and the beauty of ever-living love.

Excursions to the Taj Mahal

The best time to visit the mausoleum is from November to February; in other months it is too hot. The Taj Mahal is open to the public from 6:00 to 19:00 on weekdays, except on Fridays, when prayers are held at the mosque. The cost of visiting is approximately $10. You can get to the Taj Mahal from Delhi by train, bus, or take a tour.

You can visit the Taj Mahal through the East, West or South Gates.

Rules for visiting the Taj Mahal:

It is allowed to bring water in transparent bottles, video cameras, cameras, mobile phones and small handbags;
When visiting the Taj Mahal, you must remove your shoes;
Photography is prohibited inside the mausoleum;

Where is the Taj Mahal?

The city of India where the Taj Mahal is located is Agra, on the banks of the Jamna River.

The Taj Mahal is a recognized symbol of eternal love, because it was created for the sake of the woman who won the heart of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. Mumtaz Mahal was his third wife and died giving birth to their fourteenth child. To perpetuate the name of his beloved, the padishah conceived a grandiose project to build a mausoleum. Construction took 22 years, but today it is an example of harmony in art, which is why tourists from all over the world dream of visiting the wonder of the world.

Taj Mahal and its construction

To build the world's greatest mausoleum, the padishah recruited more than 22,000 people from all over the empire and surrounding states. The best craftsmen worked on the mosque to bring it to perfection, maintaining complete symmetry according to the emperor's plans. Initially, the plot of land on which it was planned to install the tomb belonged to Maharaja Jai Singh. Shah Jahan gave him a palace in the city of Agra in exchange for empty territory.

First, work was carried out to prepare the soil. The area, which exceeds a hectare in area, was dug up and the soil was replaced to ensure the stability of the future building. The foundation was dug wells, which were filled with rubble stone. During construction, white marble was used, which had to be transported not only from different parts of the country, but even from neighboring countries. To solve the transportation problem, we had to specially invent carts and construct a lifting ramp.

Only the tomb and its platform took about 12 years to build; the remaining elements of the complex were built over the course of another 10 years. Over the years, the following structures have appeared:

minarets;
mosque;
jawab;
Big gate.

It is precisely because of this length of time that disputes often arise as to how many years it took to build the Taj Mahal and what year should be considered the moment of completion of the construction of the landmark. Construction began in 1632, and all work was completed by 1653, the mausoleum itself was ready in 1643. But no matter how long the work lasted, the result was a stunning 74-meter-high temple in India, surrounded by gardens with an impressive pool and fountains .

Features of the architecture of the Taj Mahal

Despite the fact that the structure is so culturally significant, there is still no reliable information about who actually was the main architect of the tomb. During the work, the best craftsmen were involved, a Council of Architects was created, and all decisions made came exclusively from the emperor. Many sources believe that the project to create the complex came from Ustad Ahmad Lakhauri. True, when discussing the question of who built the pearl of architectural art, the name of the Turk Isa Muhammad Efendi often comes up.

However, it does not really matter who built the palace, since it is a symbol of the love of the padishah, who sought to create a unique tomb worthy of his faithful life partner. For this reason, white marble was chosen as the material, signifying the purity of the soul of Mumtaz Mahal. The walls of the tomb are decorated with precious stones arranged in intricate patterns to convey the amazing beauty of the emperor's wife.

The architecture intertwines several styles, among which notes from Persia, Islam and Central Asia can be traced. The main advantages of the complex are considered to be the chessboard floor, minarets 40 meters high, and an amazing dome. A special feature of the Taj Mahal is the use of optical illusions. For example, inscriptions from the Koran written along the arches appear to be the same size throughout their entire height. In fact, the letters and the distance between them at the top are much greater than at the bottom, but a person going inside does not see this difference.

The illusions do not end there, since you need to observe the attraction at different times of the day. The marble from which it is made is translucent, so it appears white during the day, at sunset it acquires a pinkish tint, and at night under the moonlight it gives off a silvery appearance.

In Islamic architecture it is impossible to do without images of flowers, but how skillfully the mosaic monument was made cannot fail to impress. If you look closely, you can see dozens of precious stones encrusted just a couple of centimeters deep. Such details are found inside and outside, because the entire mausoleum is thought out to the smallest detail.

The entire structure is axially symmetrical from the outside, so some parts were added just to maintain the overall appearance. The interior is also symmetrical, but narrower in relation to the tomb of Mumtaz Mahal. The general harmony is disturbed only by the tombstone of Shah Jahan himself, which after his death was installed next to his beloved. Although for tourists it does not matter what the symmetry inside the room looks like, because it is decorated so exquisitely that the eye is distracted, and this is considering the fact that most of the treasures were looted by vandals.

To build the Taj Mahal, it was necessary to install massive scaffolding, and it was decided to use durable brick rather than the usual bamboo. The craftsmen who worked on the project argued that it would take years to disassemble the created structure. Shah Jahan took a different route and announced that anyone could take as many bricks as they could carry. As a result, the structure was dismantled by city residents in a few days.

The story goes that upon completion of construction, the emperor ordered the eyes and hands of all the craftsmen who performed the miracle to be gouged out, so that they could not reproduce similar elements in other works. And although in those days many actually used such methods, it is believed that this is only a legend, and the padishah limited himself to a written assurance that the architects would not create a similar mausoleum.

The interesting facts do not end there, because opposite the Taj Mahal there should have been the same tomb for the Indian ruler, but made of black marble. This was briefly stated in the documents of the son of the great padishah, but historians are inclined to believe that they were talking about the reflection of the existing tomb, which from the pool appears black, which also confirms the emperor’s passion for illusions.

There is a debate that the museum may collapse due to the Jumna river becoming shallower over the years. Recently, cracks were found on the walls, but this does not mean that the reason lies only in the river. The temple is located in a city where it is influenced by various environmental factors. Once snow-white marble takes on a yellow tint, so it has to be cleaned frequently with white clay.

For those who are interested in how the name of the complex is translated, it is worth saying that from Persian it means “greatest palace.” However, there is an opinion that the secret lies in the name of the chosen one of the Indian prince. The future emperor was in love with his cousin even before marriage and called her Mumtaz Mahal, i.e. Decoration of the Palace, and Taj, in turn, means “crown”.

Note to tourists

It is not worth listing what the great mausoleum is famous for, because it is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and is also considered a New Wonder of the World. During the excursion, they will definitely tell a romantic story about who the temple was built in honor of, as well as give a brief description of the stages of construction and reveal the secrets of which city has a similar structure.

To visit the Taj Mahal, you will need an address: in the city of Agra, you need to get to State Highway 62, Tajganj, Uttar Pradesh. It is allowed to take photographs on the territory of the temple, but only with ordinary equipment; professional equipment is strictly prohibited here. True, many tourists take beautiful photos outside the complex, you just need to know where the observation deck is located, from which you can see the view from above. The city map usually indicates where you can see the palace and from which side the entrance to the complex is open.

In the second third of the 17th century. representative of the Mughal dynasty (1526–1858) Shihab ad-din Shah Jihan I (1628–1657) built the magnificent Taj Mahal mausoleum near Agra. , erected at the behest of Shah Jahan for his beloved wife Mumtaz, who died early, is considered the pinnacle of architectural structures of the Muslim type. The Taj Mahal was created in the Mughal style - a mixture of Indian, Persian and Islamic architecture traditions. The complex includes five main elements: a gate, a garden, a mosque, a jawab and the mausoleum itself. Shah Jahan carefully selected and adjusted the design of the mausoleum, turning to the best architects of the East at that time. The main idea was developed by Ustad Mohammed Isa Effendi, a Byzantine Turk, a student of the largest Turkish architect Sinan, a Greek by birth. Masters from India, Central Asia, Persia, and Arabia participated in the development of the project. Shah Jahan himself chose the site for the unheard of mausoleum below Agra on the right bank of the Jamuna. Construction lasted from 1631 to 1647; About 20 thousand workers were constantly employed there.

The Taj Mahal mausoleum, together with the surrounding park, occupies a significant area of 17 hectares. Access to the gardens and to the mausoleum is open from the southern side of the garden, where two entrance portals, decorated with traditional chattris, stand on the same line. After this, the visitor enters the territory of a clearly planned garden, which is divided into squares by four channels, at the intersection of which there is a swimming pool. The mausoleum building itself is located on the north side.

The tomb was erected on an artificial platform on the banks of the Jamna River. The platform is paved with white marble. The mausoleum, attributed to the Indian architect Ustad Ahmad Lahori, is a compact building made of white marble with the traditional cut corners of Indian architecture, with a large dome and four chattris on the roof. The building is entirely made of white marble, which perfectly reflects the sun's rays. According to legend, the Shah wanted a separate black mausoleum to be built for him on the opposite bank of the Dzhamna River. However, Shah Jihan was dethroned by his own son Aurangzeb.

On the eastern and western borders of the Taj Mahal complex, strictly along the transverse axis relative to the main building, there are two red sandstone buildings. Each building is topped with three white domes. And although they have a different purpose (on the right is “Javab” - a shelter for eminent guests, and on the left is a mosque where memorial services were held), all the buildings logically fit into the memorial complex.

In the center of the platform there is a tomb with a square plan with beveled corners. On the inside of the wall there is a bypass corridor with octagonal chambers at each corner. In the center there is an 8-sided burial chamber, topped with a low dome; Portals lead inside it, one on each side. The chamber contains the cenotaphs of the Taj Mahal and Shah Jahan, surrounded by an openwork marble enclosure (their surface is inlaid with semi-precious stones), while the original burials are in the crypt directly below the chamber . From the outside, the arched portal on each façade is flanked by two tiers of niches, and the entire structure is topped by an onion dome raised high above the shallow inner domed bowl of the burial chamber. Simple proportions determine the plan and the relationship of the verticals: the width of the building is equal to its total height of 75 m, and the distance from the floor level to the parapet above the arched portals is half the entire height.

Above the main room (according to the tradition in Indian architecture) two domes are raised - one inside the other. The outer dome is topped with a spire, and the inner (smaller) dome is made in order to maintain harmony with the interior space. This constructive solution appeared in the Timurid era, and in India it was first used during the construction of the mausoleum (1518) of the Delhi ruler Nizam Khan Sikandar II (1489–1517) from the Lodi dynasty.

The ornamentation of the internal surfaces of the Taj Mahal is striking in its elegance. Gems and multi-colored marble were used in decoration. Thus, the epigraphic decor is made of black marble, reproducing the suras of the Koran in suls handwriting. It is known that the Mughal emperors were passionate about flora: they planted flower beds and rose gardens, special plantations of ornamental plants. This love is fully present in the decoration of the interior of the mausoleum. A mosaic of multi-colored pieces of agate, carnelian, lapis lazuli, onyx, turquoise, amber, jasper and coral reproduces the flower garlands and bouquets decorating the walls of the funeral hall. One gets the impression that the Taj Mahal was created not as a tomb, but as a monument to the emperor’s love for his incomparable wife Mumtaz Mahal (Mumtaz - “incomparable”, Arabic).

The mausoleum has numerous symbols hidden in its architecture and layout. For example, on the gate through which visitors of the Taj Mahal enter the park complex surrounding the mausoleum, a quote from the Koran is carved, addressed to the righteous and ending with the words “enter my paradise.” Considering that in the Mughal language of that time the words “paradise” and “garden” are written the same way, one can understand Shah Jahan’s plan - to build paradise and place his beloved within it.

Opposite the Taj Mahal, Shah Jahan ordered the construction of the same mausoleum made of black marble - for himself. But as soon as the builders managed to deliver the first blocks of black marble, one of the eldest sons of the inconsolable Shah - Jahangir - overthrew his father from the throne. He asked only for one thing - that the Taj Mahal be visible from the place of his imprisonment.

Shah Jahan ended his days in a secluded tower two kilometers from the mausoleum he built, looking at it from a small window. When his vision weakened, a large emerald was cut into the wall opposite the window, in which the snow-white tomb of his beloved Mumiaz was reflected.

A well-known legend claims that the Taj Mahal is the tomb of the wife of the Mughal (Mughal - dynasty of rulers of India 1526-1858) Shah Jahan. It is believed that this architectural monument took 22 years to build (1631-1653), after which the Shah wanted to build a similar structure, but from black marble, for himself. Realizing that such construction would ultimately ruin the state, the king’s own son put an end to this idea by putting his father in prison. However, this is only one theory about the origin of the Taj Mahal. Beautiful, attractive for tourists. Romantic. Is it true?

alternative history

There are those who challenge the official theory, pointing to the following facts:

Muslim rulers often established tombs in captured temples and palaces.

In the archives of the Maharaja of Jaipur at that time, there are two orders from Jahan to transfer the Taj to Jahan.

The name "Taj Mahal" does not appear in Mughal annals. The official theory refers to the name of the deceased, Mumtaz (Mumtaj) Mahal, but her name was actually Mumtaz-ul-Zamani.

The Mughal annals do not say anything about the mad love of Jahan and Mumtaz-ul-Zamani. This story has no historical basis.

A certain Albert Mandelslo, a European who visited Agra in 1638, 7 years after the death of King Jahan, made no mention of the traces of grandiose construction that undoubtedly should have remained. Another European, Peter Mundy, who was in Agra a year after Jahan's death, wrote about the Taj Mahal as a very ancient structure.

And finally, hydrocarbon analysis shows that the building is at least 300 years older than Jahan.

Professor P. N. Oak believes that the name "Taj Mahal" comes from the name of Sri Shiva - "Tejo Mahalaya", and the building itself is an ancient temple of Sri Shiva.

Many rooms of the Taj Mahal have been sealed since the time of Jahan.

It is also reported that Professor Oak's research was banned during the time of Indira Gandhi, whose name is still cursed by many Indians.