Taj Mahal Architecture. Garden "Moonlight"

09.04.2019

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The Taj Mahal is a palace of white marble, one of the most grandiose monuments of Indian architecture with chic indoor decoration and amazing beauty of the park. This is the last gift of the emperor of the Great Mughal Shah Jakhan's late wife Mumtaz Mahal, as well as the main and most popular attraction in the country, which thousands of tourists visit every year.

Legend of Taj Mahal

Ancient and very beautiful romantic legend is connected with Taj Mahal. Indian Shah Jahan was fascinated by the beauty of the poor girl who traded on the local market, and married her. Soon she became his beloved wife and lived with Shah 17 happy years. However, happiness was not destined to last forever, and Mumtaz Mahal died during the birth of their fourteenth child. Jahan could not forget her and was never happy again.

In memory of his beloved wife and years of their family happiness, the Indian ruler ordered to build the most beautiful Mausoleum in the world, which is not beautiful on all white light. The best architects and masters of India and Europe were attracted to work - only about 20 thousand people. The construction lasted long 20 years, and a luxury structure was built on the coast of the Jamna river, which still admires everyone who sees it.

Despite the numerous earthquakes in these parts, it never was destroyed and did not suffer at all.

Park, Architecture, Interiors

The building of the Mausoleum creates a unique architectural ensemble in combination with a park, which is broken around it. All construction is made of snow-white marble, the square facade is permeated by semicircular niches, and due to this it looks as if weightless, despite the massiveness. The impression of the "parity" also create reflections of facades in the canals of the gardens that surround the mausoleum. And the most amazing feature of this building is the ability to change your color depending on the time of day and from the weather. In the rain, it looks like a translucent, in the morning glows with pink color, and when sunset, there is a gold. The inner walls of the mausoleum are decorated with painted tiles and are inlaid with precious and semi-precious stones and pearls.

Previously, the luxury of the Taj Mahal was even more impressive: entrance doors They were made of pure silver, but as many other valuable interior items were stolen. However, nevertheless, Taj Mahal is still impressive with his luxury and rich decoration.

Practical information

How to get there: Taj Mahal is located in Agra (200 km from Delhi). You can get anyway on any train that follows Calcutta, Mumbai and Gwalior (they all go through Agra), time on the way - 2-3 hours. From Agra to Mausoleum - on Rickshaw or Taxi.

Opening hours: Mausoleum is open daily, except Friday, during a light day.

The Mausoleum-Mosque Taj Mahal is a recognized world heritage masterpiece and one of the seven new miracles of the world, which is located in the city of Agra near the Jamna River in India. The mosque was erected in the XVII century by order of Shah-Jahan - the Padishah Empire of the Great Mughal, who dedicated the construction of the Taj Mahal my wife Mumtaz-Mahal (later the Indian Shah himself was buried here).

History of creating Mausoleum Taj Mahal in India

The creation of the Taj Mahala is connected with the legend of the love of Padisha Shah-Jahan and Mumtaz-Mahal girls, who traded in the local market. The Indian ruler was so fascinated by her beauty, which soon they got married. IN happy marriage 14 children were born, but during childbirth last child Mumtaz-Mahal died. Shah-Jahan was depressed by the death of his beloved wife and in memory of her ordered to build a mausoleum, which is not yet anywhere.

The construction of the Taj Mahal temple began in 1632 and ended in 1653. About 20 thousand masters and workers from all over the empire were brought to the construction. A group of architects worked on the mosque, but the basic idea belongs to the statue of Ahmad Lahauri, there is also a version that the main author of the project is the Persian architect of the Fastener of Isa (Isa Muhammad Effesti).

The construction of the tomb and platform took about 12 years. Over the next ten years, minarets, mosque, javab and big gates were erected.

Tomb of Padisha Shah-Jahan and his wife Mumtaz-Mahal

Taj Mahal - Miracle of Light: Architecture of the Mosque

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

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

The most noteworthy component of the Indian Taj Mahal is a white marble dome. Walls are also posted from polished translucent marble with elements. precious stones and gems (pearls, sapphires, turquoise, agate, malachite, carnelian and others). The Taj Mahal mosque is made in accordance with Islamic religious tradition, the interior is decorated with abstract symbols and rows from the Quran.

Taj Mahal is considered to be pearl of Muslim art in the country of India and the best example Mughal style architectures, where Indian, Persian and Arab elements are combined.

Since 2007, the Indian Taj Mahal consists in the list of new 7 wonders of the world.
What is Taj Mahal? This name is translated from Persian as the "greatest palace" ("Taj" - Crown, "Mahal" - Palace).
Many valuable objects of the interior of the Taj Mahal were stolen - precious stones, gems, the crown of the main dome - gold spire and even the entrance doors made of silver.
Thanks to the features of marble, at different times of the day and depending on the weather, the Taj Mahal mosque is capable of changing the color: the day the building looks white, at sunrise pink, and in the lunar night - silver.
Daily Taj Mahal attend tens of thousands of people; per year - from 3 to 5 million people. Peak season - October, November and February.
The Taj Mahal was captured in many films, the most popular of them: "Armageddon", "Mars Attacks!", "Not yet played in the box", "Life after people", "Last Dance", "Millionaire from Slumb".
Above the Taj Mahal is prohibited to fly by airplanes.

How to visit: Price, Tickets, Opening hours

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

* The ticket included a visit to the Taj Mahal, an ancient fort (Agra Fort) and a mini taj (Baby Taj) - Tomb of Itimad-Ud-Daula.
** INR - Indian rupee (1000 Inr \u003d 15.32 $)
** Prices are as of October 2017

Opening hours:

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

Rules of visiting: To rush to the Taj Mahal only small ladies' handbags are allowed, cell phones, Cameras, small camcorders, water in transparent bottles.

How to get to the temple Taj Mahal

Address where the Taj Mahal is: India, Uttar Pradesh, Agra, Rd Tedzhgjnzh, Forest Coloni, Dharmapery.

If you relax on Goa and want to get to the Taj Mahal, then there are no direct flights from Goa to Amer Airport. The aircraft can fly to Delhi, and from there there are daily flights to Agra. The distance between Goa and Agra about 2000 km.

From Delhi in Agra yourself: aircraft - 3-4 hours on the way; by bus - 15-20 $ (3 hours on the road); Morning train 12002 Bhopal Shatabdi - $ 5-10 (2-3 hours in the way).

The easiest way: Order a tour or organization of an individual tour to Agru with a visit to the Taj Mahal. Most popular: Tour Goa Agra, Tour Delhi Agra.

Taj Mahal on the map in the city of Agra:

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

Taj Mahal is a monument of Mughal style architectural, which combines elements of Persian, Indian and Islamic architectural styles. He was built by the emperor of the Great Mogolov Shah-Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died at the birth of the fourteenth child (later she was buried here and Shah-Jahan himself). Taj Mahal is located in the western part of Uttar Pradesh, India, and is represented by a whole architectural complex, and not just to all famous marble mausoleum. The building began to build in about 1632 and completed in 1653, 20 thousand artisans and masters worked. In 1983, Taj Mahal became the UNESCO World Heritage Site and called "Pearl of Muslim Art in India, one of the generally accepted heritage masterpieces, which are admired throughout the world."

Taj Mahal is located south of the city walls of the city of Agra. Shah-Jahan exchanged this plot belonging to Maharaja Gai Singhu (English Jai Singh i), on grand Palace in the center of Agry. The construction of foundations and mausoleum lasted about 12 years, and the rest of the complex was completed after another 10 years. Since the complex was built in several stages, there are several dates for completing construction. For example, Mausoleum was built in 1643, but the work on the rest of the complex was completed in 1653. The estimated cost of construction of the Taj Mahal varies depending on the sources and methods of calculation. The approximate total cost of construction is estimated at the level of 32 million rupees, in today's money is a few trillion dollars.

Construction began with earthworks on a plot of approximately three acres (12000 m2), the main part was to alignment and raising the surface of the area by 50 meters relative to the river level. At the site of the Mausoleum location, wells were dug, which filled with butte structures, formed the foundations of the structure. Instead of forests from a bandaged bamboo, large-scale brick forests were erected, which surrounded the tomb. They were so impressive in size that the masters headed by construction feared that their disassembly could take years. According to the legend, Shah-Jahan voiced that anyone could take themselves and leave as many bricks as he wishes, and the forests were disassembled by the peasants in almost the night. The ramp of the rammed land long 15 km was built for transporting marble and other materials. Groups of 20-30 oxen dragged blocks on specially designed carts. Water for the needs of the construction was mined from the river with the help of a cable-conductor system using an animal force and merged into a large tank, from where rose to the distribution tank. From there, it was distributed over three auxiliary capacities and the pipes were transported to the construction complex.

Building materials were purchased in many parts of India and Asia. More than 1000 elephants were used to transport building materials during construction. Brilliant white marble was brought from Rajastana, Jasper from Punjab, jade and crystal from China, turquoise from Tibeta, lazuli from Afghanistan, Spriest Sri Lanka and Cherdelik from Arabia. In total, 28 species of various precious and semi-precious stones are built into white marble Taj Mahal.

The name Taj Mahal can be translated as the "greatest palace" (where the Taj is a crown, and Mahal - Palace). The name Shah-Jahan can be translated as the "ruler of the world" (where the Shah is the ruler, Jahan - the world, the Universe). The name Mumtaz-Mahal can be translated as "Choosing Palace" (where Mother is the best, Mahal - Palace, courtyard). Similar meanings Words are preserved in Arabic, Hindi and some other languages.

More than 20,000 people who came from all over Northern India took part in the construction. Among the group of 37 people who were responsible for artistic image the complex, there were sculptors from Bukhara, calligraphes from Syria and Persia, Inlay Masters from south India, Kamenotes from Beloohistan, as well as a specialist in the construction of the towers and a master of cutting marble ornaments.

The story has kept very few of the names of masters and architects, since at that time in the Islamic world, mostly overlooked patrons, not architects. Of modern sources It is known that the construction was controlled by a large team of architects. There are references as Shah-Jahan himself personally participated in construction more than any other ruler of the great Mughal to him. He spent daily meetings with architects and prolabs, and as historians say, often offered ideas or corrected the ideas proposed by them. Two architects are mentioned by name: the statue of Ahmad Lahori (USTAD Ahmad Lahauri) and the world of Abdul Karim (Mir Abdul Karim).

Famous builders Taj Mahal are:

The statue of Ahmad Lahori (USTAD Ahmad Lahauri) from Iran is the chief architect. The world of Abdul Karim (Mir Abdul Karim) from Shiraza (Iran) is one of the main leaders. Ismail Afandi (ISMAIL AFANDI) from Ottoman Empire - Builder of the main dome of the Mausoleum. Iranians of ISA (Ustad ISA) and Isa Muhammad Efendi (ISA Muhamed Efendi) - as it is believed to play a key role in architectural design. Puru (Puru) from Benarus (Iran) - controlling architect. Gazim Han (Gazim Han) from Lahore - cast a golden tip for the mausoleum. Schirangilal (Chiranjilal) from Delhi is the main sculptor and Mosaic master. Amanat Khan (Amanat Han) from Shiraza (Iran) is the main calligrapher. Mohammed Hanif, Chief Head of Masonry. Mukarimat Han (Mukarimat Han) from Chiraza (Iran) is the main manager.

The main elements of the architectural complex of the Taj Mahal.

The architectural style of Taj Mahal includes and expands the construction traditions of Islam, Persia, India and the Great Mughal (although modern research architecture this monument indicates french influenceespecially in the interior). The overall design is based on the architecture of the Timurid and Mughal buildings in the architecture, including GUR-Emir (Tamela's grave), Itimad-Ud-Daulah (I'timād-ud-Daulah) and Jama Masjid in Delhi. Under the patronage of Shah-Jahan, the architectural style of Mugolov reached a new level. Before the construction of the Taj Mahal main building material There was a red sandstone, but the emperor contributed to the use of white marble and semi-precious stones.

The Tomb of Itimad-Ud-Daula (1622-1628), which is also called the Mini Taj (Baby Taj), is located in the city of Agra. The architecture of the Mausoleum reminds the reduced in the sizes of the Taj Mahal.

Taj Mahal plan:

1. Garden Moonlight 2. Jamuna River 3. Minarets 4. Mausoleum - Mosque 6. Guest House (Jawab) 7. Garden (Charbagh) 8. Great Gate (Safe Access) 9. External yard 10. Bazaar (Taj Ganzhi)

Garden "Moonlight".

To the north of the Taj Mahal complex, through the Yamuna River, there is another garden belonging to the complex. It is made in a style characteristic of the agra, and is one whole together with the embankment on the northern side of the river. Garden width is identical to the width of the main part of the complex. The whole design of the garden is focused on his center, which is a large octagonal pool, serving a kind of mirror for the Taj Mahal. Since the times of the great Mughal, the garden survived numerous floods, which devastated most of it. From the four towers of sandstone located in the border corners of the garden, only one located in the southeast part has been preserved. There are the remains of two buildings located on the northern and southern part of the garden, and it is assumed that these are garden buildings. On the north side, there was a waterfall that pours into the pool. Water supply comes from the aqueducts on the western side.

Mausoleum.

The center of attention and the main element of the Taj Mahal complex is a white marble mausoleum with a height of 68 meters. It is located on the elevation of a square shape with a side of 100 meters, in a height of about 7 meters. In four corners of this area there are four minarets. The mausoleum was built in accordance with the 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 construction is almost perfectly symmetrical about four axes, and consists of several floors: a basement floor with real graves of Shah-Jahan and Mumtaz, the main floor, which contains identical kenotafes of the graves at the bottom, and the roof terraces.

Taj Mahal has an optical focus. If you move your back to the exit, the face to the Taj Mahal, it will seem that this temple is huge compared to the trees and the environment.

Spire: Its height is 10 meters, initially built of gold, but after plundering with British colonizers, was replaced by a bronze copy. Lotus: Carved contours at the top of the dome, in the form of a lotus. Main Dome: Also called "AMRUD", the height of 75 meters. Drum: Cylindrical base of the dome. Guldasta: Decorative spiers along the edges of the walls. Additional dome (CHATRI): Elevation over balconies in the form of small domes. Frame: Closing the panel on the arches. Calligraphy: Stylized poems of the Quran over the main arch. Niche: In 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, representing a cut dome. The upper part of each arch goes beyond the roof using the addition to the facade.

In general, the building was crowned with five domes, located perfectly symmetrically, as well as the other parts of the complex. All dome in their upper part have decorations in the form of lotus leaves. The largest of them (18 meters in diameter and 24 in height) is located in the center, and the remaining four smaller (8 meters in diameter) are placed around the central one. The height of the central dome is underlined and additionally increased by a cylindrical element (drum), which is exhibited above the roof at a height of 7 meters, and on which the dome opens. This element, however, is almost no visible, it covers his protruding part of the inlet arches. Thus, it seems that the dome is much larger than it really is. In the corners of the external walls, high decorative spiers are built, which also provide visual focus on 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. From the marble, in fact, a small outer layer of thickness is only 15 centimeters.

The hierarchical sequence of the entire complex in the end is mostly the hall containing Kenotafa Shaha-Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal. Kenotaf Mumtaz is installed in the geometric center of the building. Enlighten Kenotafes octagonal shirma, consisting of eight marble panels with intricate thread. The interior decoration is made entirely of marble, and decorated with precious stones located concentric octagons. Such a location is characterized by Islamic and Indian culture, which is important spiritual and astrological topics. Walls from the inside are abundantly decorated with plants, letters and ornaments symbolizing the resurrection in the Garden of the Garden.

Muslim traditions are forbidden to decorate graves and bodies, so Shah-Jahan and Mumtaz are buried in a simpler room located below the hall with Kenotafami. The size of Kenotaph Mumtaz 2.5 per 1.5 m, it is decorated with letters extending its character. Kenotaph Shah-Jahan is located on the west side of Kenotaph Mother and is the only asymmetric element of the entire complex.

Mosque and Guest House (Jawab).

From the Western and Eastern side of the Mausoleum, the facades are located to him and guest house (Jawab - translated as "answer", it is believed that this building was built for symmetry with a mosque, and used as a guest house), sizes 56 × 23 meters and 20 meters in height. Unlike the mausoleum built from white marble, these structures are erected from red sandstone, but lay on the same elevation as Mausoleum with minarets. These buildings of 3 domes are completed, where the central dome is slightly more than the rest, and the 4 octahed towers in the corners. Before each of the two buildings is a water reservoir: water is necessary for the ritual of ablution before mosque.

True there are some differences between these two buildings. For example, in the mosque there is a niche pointing the direction to Mecca (Mihrab), there is no shelter's house. Another difference is how the floors in these buildings were made if the floor was laid out in the form of 569 prayer rugs in the mosque, then the citation quoted quotes in the guest house on the floor.

Minarets.

Minarets have a type of a truncated cone with a height of 41.6 meters, and are located on the same marble terrace as the mausoleum. They are slightly tilted out in such a way that in the case of a strong earthquake and collapse do not damage the mausoleum. Minarets are slightly lower than the central dome of the Mausoleum, and as if emphasize his grandeur. As with the mausoleum, they are completely covered with white marble, but the supporting structure is made of brick.

They were designed as existing minarets, traditional element Mosques. Each minaret is actually divided into three equal parts by two rows of balconies. At the top of the tower there is another series of balconies, and completes the design of the dome, similar to the fact that they are installed on the mausoleum. On all domes, the same decorative elements in the form of a lotus and gilded spire. Inside every minaret, in its entire length, a large spiral staircase passes.

Garden.

The garden is a square of 300 m, divided into 4 equal parts by two channels, which intersect in the middle, and is characteristic of the time of the great Mughal views. Inside there are flower beds, shady streets and water channels that create a striking effect, reflecting the image of the building behind them. Each square, formed by channels, in turn, share another 4 parts with power tracks. 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 his center, at the intersection of two channels (in the center of the garden and the whole complex), a pool was placed, which reflects the image of the mausoleum. On the south side of the pool, the center has a bench: this is an invitation to the visitor, admire the entire complex with an ideal sighting point.

The structure of the garden dates back to the very vision of Paradise at the time: it was thought that heaven is the perfect garden richly irrigated by water. The presentation of the garden, as the Symbol of Paradise, is enhanced by inscriptions on great gates inviting to join heaven.

Most of the Time Gardens of the Great Mughalves had a rectangular shape with a grave or pavilion in the center. The architectural complex Taj Mahal is unusual in that main element (Mausoleum) Located at the end of the garden. With the opening of the garden "Moonlight" on the other side of the Jamuna River, the Archaeological Administration of India began to interpret it so that the Yamuna River itself was included in the garden design and was to be considered as one of the rivers. Similarity in garden layout and its architectural features Salimar Gardens (Shalimar Gardens) gardens suggests that they may have been developed by the same architect, Ali Mardan.

Very similar to the Taj Mahal and for Mogolsky origin and in appearance the tomb of Humayun in Delhi. This tomb of the Mogoli Emperor is also built as a sign great Love - Only not a husband to his wife, and wives to her husband. Despite the fact that Humayun's tomb was built earlier, and Shah-Jahan during the construction of his masterpiece focused on the architectural experience of Humayun's tomb, she was little known compared to Taj Mahal.

Great gates.

Great gates are of particular importance in Islamic architecture: they symbolize the point of transition between the fuss and noise of the external material world and the world of spiritual, where calm and spiritual peace reigns.

The great gates are pretty a large structure (41 34 meters and 23 meters in height), divided into three floors built from 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 the other parts of the complex, are designed in such a way as to be symmetrical. The height of the gate is exactly half the height of the mausoleum.

From above, the great gates are crowned with 22 small domes located in two rows along the inner and outer edge of the gate. In each of the four corners of the construction, large towers are installed, thus repeating the architecture of the mausoleum. The great gates are decorated with quotes from the Koran printed in carefully selected places.

Courtyard.

The courtyard (Dzilauhana) - which literally means the front of the house. He served as a place where visitors could leave their horses or elephants before entering the main part complex. Two reduced copies of the main mausoleum are located in the southern corners of the yard. They are located on a small platform, climb to which you can on the stairs. To date, it is not clear who is buried in these graves, but it is known that these are women. Two small buildings were built in the northern corners of the courtyard, they served housing for visitors to Mausoleum and believers. These facilities were destroyed in the 18th century, but at the beginning of the 20th century they were restored, after which (until 2003) the building in the east served as a place for the gardener, and West as a barn.

Bazaar (Taj Gangzhi).

The bazaar (market) was built as part of the complex, was originally used for the housing of workers, and then as a place for storing the supplies and space, which complements the entire architectural ensemble. The territory of the bazaar was small city During the construction of the Taj Mahal. Initially, he was known under the name Mumtazabad (Mumtazabad - the city of Mumtaz), and now is called Taj Gangzhi.

After construction, Taj Gangzhi became a frequent city and the center of the economic activity of the city of Agra, and the goods came here from all parts of the empire and the world. The market area was constantly changing, and after construction in the 19th century, he stopped complying with the original design of the builders. Most of the ancient buildings and buildings were demolished or rebuilt.

Other buildings.

The Taj Mahal complex is surrounded by a red sandstone wall from three sides, and from the fourth side there is an embankment and the Yamuna River. Additional mausoleums were built behind the walls of the complex for other Wives of Shah-Jahan, and Mausoleum is more for the beloved maid Mother.

Water supply.

The architects of Taj Mahal provided a complex with a complex pipe system. Water comes from the nearby Yamuna River through the underground pipe system. In order to dial 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 reservoir was raised to a height of 9.5 meters, and another 3 additional reservoirs located in the entire complex of the complex were used to equalize the pressure. different parts 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 system of pipes is still present and is used, proving the skill of builders who were able to create a system that has worked for almost 500 years without the necessary maintenance. True, it is worth noting that some underground water pipes were still replaced in 1903, on new cast iron pipes.

Threats

In 1942, protective forests were built to protect the Taj Mahal from Germany's attack on the orders of government and later, protective forests were erected by the Japanese Air Force. Protective forests were built once again during the Indian-Pakistani war in 1965 and 1971.

Later threats came from pollution ambient On the shores of the Yamuna River, including from the activities of Mathura refinery. Due to pollution on the domes and the walls of the Taj Mahal, a yellow flare was formed. In order to control the contamination of the monument, the Indian government has created a zone around it with an area of \u200b\u200b10,400 square kilometers, where there are strict emission standards.

Airplanes are forbidden to fly over the Taj Mahal.

Recently there was a threat of the structural integrity of the Taj Mahal due to lowering the level of groundwater in the Jamuna River basin, which falls at a speed 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 beginning, in the absence of water, the process of rotting wooden supports of the base of the monument. According to some forecasts, the tomb can collapse within five years.

The story of the Taj Mahal.

The period of the Board of Mughal (1632 - 1858)

Immediately after the construction of the Taj Mahal, his own son Shah-Jakhan Aurangzeb places him under house arrest. When Shah-Jahan died, Aurangzeb buried him next to his wife inside the Taj Mahal. The complex is cleaned and for him is well taking care of almost a hundred years, work is funded by taxes from the market and the rich royal treasury. In the mid-18th century, the costs of the content of the complex are significantly reduced, as a result, the complex is almost not careful.

In many tourist guidebooks, it is said that after the overthrow of Shah-Jahan from the windows of the Dwarns for many years, to death, sadly admired his creation - Taj Mahal. Usually, the Red Fort is mentioned in these stories - the Shah-Jahan Palace, built by him in the Zenith of the Board, part of whom his son - Aurangzeb turned into a luxurious prison for his father. However, here the publications are confused by the Delian Red Fort (hundreds of kilometers from the Taj Mahal) and the Red Fort in Agra, also built by the great migrants, but earlier, and which is really located next to the Taj Mahal. Shah-Jahan, according to Indian researchers, was kept in the Delia Red Forte and from there could not see the Taj Mahal.

British period (1858-M-1947th)

During the Indian uprising, 1857 Taj Mahal was ruined by British soldiers and officers. At the end of the 19th century, the British Vice-King in India Lord Kerzon organized the work on the restoration of the Taj Mahal, which were completed in 1908. In addition, the gardens inside the Taj Mahal were restored in the British style, which was preserved to this day. In 1942 during World War II, the government decided to create protective forests over the mausoleum, fearing possible attacks by German Luftwaffe, and later than Japanese imperial aviation.

Modern period (1947th -)

During the wars between India and Pakistan in 1965 and 1971, the Taj Mahal also surrounded protective forests. Later there were threats from environmental pollution along the shores of the Yamuna River, including from the activities of Mathura refinery. Due to pollution on the domes and the walls of the Taj Mahal, a yellow flare was formed. In order to control the contamination of the monument, the Indian government has created a zone around it with an area of \u200b\u200b10,400 square kilometers, where there are strict emission standards. 1983 Taj Mahal was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Legends and myths Taj Mahal.

Black Taj Mahal.

Odine from the most famous legends It says that Shah-Jahan planned to build his own Mausoleum from black marble on the other side of the Yamuna River, a symmetrical Taj Mahal, and wanted to connect them with a silver bridge. This may indicate the remains of black marble through the Yamuna River, in the Garden "Moonlight". However, the excavations of the 1990s showed that it was a white marble used for the construction of the Taj Mahal, which over time changed the color and became black. The confirmation of this legend can be attributed to the fact that 2006 after the reconstruction of the pool in the "Moonlight" garden, in its water it was possible to see the dark reflection of the white Taj Mahal. This legend has become known from Jean-Baptiste Taverniera (Jean-Baptiste Taverniera), a European traveler who visited Agra in 1665. His records noted that Shah-Jahan was overthrown from the throne with his son Aurangzeb before the construction of a black Taj Mahal.

Murder and injury workers.

The famous myth says that Shah-Jahan after the construction of the Taj Mahal killed or caused injury to masters and architects so that they could not build something as great. Some other stories argue that the builders signed a contract according to which they undertake not to participate in the construction of any similar construct. 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 about who designed the Taj Mahal? The West created a myth about the Italian architect, since Italy in the 17th century was the center of contemporary art. The founder of this myth is a missionary from the Order of Augustines, the father of Don Manrique. He proclaimed the architect Taj Mahal, the Italian named Jeronimo Verono (Geronimo Veroneo) because he, at the time of construction, was in India. The statement is very controversial due to the fact that Verono Verono was not an architect, he produced and sold jewelry. In addition, in early European sources there is no information that architects from the West could make a project in the style of other cultures with which they had not previously known.

Taj Mahal's demolition British.

Although there are no specific evidence, it is mentioned that the British Lord William Bentink (Governor of India in 1830) planned the Taj Mahal demolition for sale at a white marble auction, from which he was built. His biographies of John Rosselli (John Rosselli) says that this story has emerged due to the fact that William Bentink was associated with the sale of marble filmed from the Fort Agri.

Taj Mahal is the temple of God Shiva.

Indian historian P. N. Oak argues that the Taj Mahal was originally used as a Hindu temple of God Shiva, and Shah-Jahan just began to use him differently. This version was rejected as unreasonable and no evidence in the form of historical facts. The Supreme Court of India refused P. N. Oak lasting to declare Taj Mahal a monument to Hindu culture.

The looting of the Taj Mahal.

Although it is known that the British captured gold from the spiers of the Taj Mahal, and the precious stones, which were decorated with the walls of the Mausoleum, there are myths from which many other decorations are stolen from the Taj Mahal. History says that Kenotafa Shah and his wife were gilded and decorated with diamonds, the doors of the Mausoleum were made of carved jasper, and the space inside was decorated with rich carpets.

Excursions in Taj Mahalu.

Taj Mahal attracts a large number of tourists. UNESCO documented more than 2 million visitors in 2001, including more than 200 thousand from abroad. The cost of visiting a two-level, with a significantly lower price for India citizens and higher for foreigners. Use cars with an internal combustion engine next to the complex is prohibited, and tourists must reach it or on foot from the parking lot, or use the electric bus.

Mode of operation.

The monument is open to visitors from 6 am to 7 pm, with the exception of Friday and the month of Ramadan, when the complex works 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, the entrance is free.

Every year from February 18 to February 27 in Agra, in the place where Masters-creators of the Taj Mahal lived, the Festival Taj Makhhotsav is held. The festival is dedicated to the art and craft of the Mogolskaya era and in general Indian culture. At the festival, you can see the procession with the participation of elephants and camels, the show drummers and the colorfulness of the presentation.

Cost and rules of visiting.

The entrance ticket to the territory of the complex will cost a foreigner at 750 rupees (435 rubles). Such a high cost is explained by the fact that it consists of a tax on the entrance of the Archaeological Society of India (250 rupees or 145 rubles) and the duty of the Department of Development of Agra (500 rupees or 290 rubles). Children up to 15 years old entrance is free.

Tickets for night sessions visits cultural monument There are 750 rupees for foreigners and 500 rupees for the citizens of India: they must be bought 24 hours before visiting the office of the Archaeological Society of India's research on Mall Road. The cost of the ticket includes a half-liter bottle of water, shoe covers, a map-travel guide, travel on electric transport.

At the entrance to the Taj Mahal, visitors will have to go through the inspection procedure: frame, manual inspection, things are shifted and in obligatory inscribe manually. Camera and other unnecessary things must be passed into the storage chamber. You can only remove the mausoleum on the camcorder from afar. Nearly to photograph. Inside the mausoleum itself it is impossible to photograph, the staff of the complex is strictly followed.

It is forbidden to carry on the territory of the complex: food, matches, lighters, tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, edible supplies, knives, electronic devices, tripods.

How to get.

The Agra city is well connected with major cities of the country and is located on the golden triangle of the tourist chain (Delhi-Agra-Jaipur). You can in several ways.

1. Airplane from Delhi 2. Railway from any major city 3. By car Distance to major cities:

Bharatpur (Bharatpur) - 57 km, Delhi (Delhi) - 204 km, Jaipur - 232 km, Khajuraho (Khajuraho) - 400 km, Lucknow (Lucknow) - 369 km

The best time of year to visit the Taj Mahal: from November to February. At another time, here is usually or too hot, or too raw.

The properties of the stone from which the Taj Mahal was built, such that he changes his color, depending on the angle of light falling on him. Thus, it makes sense to come here at sunrise and, having spent a whole day, go at sunset to make up all the variety of paints. To see the masterpiece in Divine Golden Shades, you can come to one of the hotels in the South Gate (Taj Hange district) Taj Mahal and early in the morning with the opening of the complex come here. In the sixth in the morning you have a chance to see the Taj Mahal in silent loneliness and in all greatness: during the day the area of \u200b\u200bthe complex fill the crowds of tourists.

The city itself - Agra is pretty dirty and cold, so you should not spend a lot of time on the trip here. One day is quite enough to touch the beautiful and know the "Legend of Stone".

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On July 7, 2007 in Lisbon (Portugal), new seven wonders of the world were named and the Mausoleum Mosque Taj Mahal was added to this list. It is located in Agra (India) near the Jamna River. The easiest way to get to the Palace Taj Mahala is to fly by plane to Delhi and from there by bus, taxi or train to come to the destination. The road on the train takes up to 3 hours, by taxi 3-5 hours. It is considered a crime if you visited India and did not see the mosque Taj Mahal.

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

The emergence of the Taj Mahala is the story of the tender love of Shah-Jahan, the King of the Great Mughal to his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Another prince Shah-Jahan took his wife a 19-year-old girl, and his love for her was limitless. Despite possession of a big harem, all his tenderness and attention he gave only one mumtaz. She gave birth to him 14 children, six girls and eight boys. But during the last birth, Jakhan's wife died. Mount Shah-Jahan was so great that he lost the meaning of life, went, announced 2-year-old mourning and even wanted to commit suicide.

Above the grave of his wife, on the orders of Shah-Jahan, the beautiful Palace of Taj Mahal was built in which he was a few years later and himself was buried near his wife's grave. The Taj Mahal is not just a miracle of the world, this is a symbol of eternal love of two people. Shah-Jahan promised to create a monument before the death of his wife, who would transfer all the beauty of Mumtaz.

Construction and architecture Taj Mahal

To the question who built this mosque, history does not answer. The fact is that in the Islamic world of that period, all the ideas of the construction were not attributed to the architect, but to the customer. A group of architects worked on the mosque, but the basic idea belongs to the statue of Ahmad Lahauri. The construction of the palace began in 1631 in December. The construction of the Central Mausoleum ended in 1648, and after 5 years ended the construction of the entire complex. For 22 years, about 20 thousand people took part in the construction of Taj Mahala. More than a thousand elephants used for the transportation of materials that were delivered from India and Asia. Blocks from marble dragged bulls on a specially built 15 kilometer ramp of the rammed land. At the construction site, sculptors from Bukhara, Kamenotyops from Beloohistan, Inlaid Master from South India, Calligrapy from Persia and Syria, as well as specialists and masters on cutting marble ornaments and taking towers were worked.

Taj Mahal is considered the "pearl of Muslim art in India." The most famous component of the Palace is his white marble dome, which is also called onion dome because of the appearance. Its height is 35 meters. His crown is made in Islamic style (the horns of the month are directed up) and was originally from gold, but in the 19th century he was replaced by a bronze copy.

The height of the mosque itself is 74 meters and is represented by five-cycle construction with four minarets in the corners. Minarets are slightly tilted in the side opposite from the tomb so that during the destruction does not damage it. The garden is adjacent to the garden with a pool and fountains. Inside the mausoleum there are two tombs that are located strictly over the burial site of Shah and his wife. The walls of the palace are placed from marble with inlaid from gems (carnelian, agate, malachite, turquoise, etc.). And in the rays of light walls just fascinate. In sunny weather, marble looks white, on the lunar night it becomes silver, and at the dawn - pink.

Exterior Taj Mahala refer to the best samples of architecture. In the creation of decorative elements, the mosques used various plasters, paints, carved figures and stone inlays. Also for decorative and decoration of the complex, passages from the Quran were used. At the gate Taj Mahal applied: "O you, the soul focusing! Return to your Lord's satisfaction and saved content! Enter my slaves. Enter my paradise! "

In the interior of the palace used great amount semi-precious and precious stones. The inner hall of the Taj Mahal is the 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 the inner dome.

The only asymmetric element of the complex is Kenotafius Shah-Jahan, which is located near the grave of his wife. It was completed later and in size exceeds Kenotafius Mumtaz, but decorated with the same decorative elements. On the tombstones, Mumtaz made calligraphic inscriptions, who praise her, and on the grave of Jakhana it was written: "He went on a trip from this world to the abode of eternity at night of the twenty-sixth day, Rajab's month of 1076."

The architectural complex is adjacent to the magnificent garden, which extends to a length of 300 meters. In the center of the park passes a water canal, which is lined with marble and in the middle of it is a pond. It reflects the image of the tomb. Initially, the garden hit his abundance of vegetation, but with time the garden landscaping was modified.

Myths and legends

There is a legend that Shah-Jahan wanted to build on the opposite bank of the river precise copy Palace from black marble, but did not have time. There is also a myth that the emperor brutally killed architects and masters who took part in the building of the palace, and all the builders signed an agreement in which they undertake not to take part in the construction of such a structure. But today such information is no confirmed and remains only with fiction and legend.

Tourism

Every year Taj Mahal mosque attend millions of tourists from different countries. Interest among tourists is caused by the fact of its optical focus. If you move your back forward to the exit, respectively, being a face to the palace, then there is a feeling that the mausoleum is simply huge against the background of trees and the environment. And, by the way, over the Taj Mahal is forbidden to fly by airplanes. The mosque is open to visit from 6 to 19 hours on weekdays, except Friday when prayers are held in it. The Taj Mahal was also open for night viewing on the day of the full moon, including two days before and after full moon, except Friday and the month of Ramazan.

This Grand Mausoleum is called the monument of immortal love, and for many centuries everyone worries his romantic history of creation. Taj Mahal, recognized as one of the seven new miracles of the world, from 1983 is protected by UNESCO. The most famous India, which has no analogues around the world, characterizes a whole era of the rule of the emperor.

Sadness expressed in stone and tenderness make all travelers stay in admiration for the magnificent masterpiece of art, telling about amazing love.

History of creation

Taj Mahal is a white-grade mausoleum located in the city of Agra. He was erected by order of the grandson of the ruler of the country Shah Jakhan, who dreamed of performing the will of the deceased in the genus of his wife.

Their all tests, including eternity. It is surprising that in the historical chronicles, the tender and romantic relations of the ruler and his spouse, which the emperor gently called the Taj Mahal, which means "the pride of the palace" in translating. For Muslims, this is a rarity, because strong love Most often they manifest themselves to God and Motherland, but not to a woman.

Ancient legends

A beautiful legend says that after the tragic death, the emperor did not come out of the rest of the week, and when the subjects saw his lord, they did not recognize him: he aged for several years and became gray. Shah Jahan refused the throne, indulging in strong sorrow along the wife left forever.

True, there is not such a romantic version that tells that the ruler soving his own son, explaining his behavior that the grandiose officials of the Father ruffles the country. But this is not very important for descendants, because the value of the monument known for the whole world does not diminish.

Completed oath

Shah Jahan remembered how his children asked once to build a beautiful palace. The ruler, distraught from grief, was swore to build the most luxurious tomb in the world. In memory of his wife and the large-scale construction of the majestic facilities began.

So, thanks to the official records made by the matured Muslim king, we became known to us official story creating. Taj Mahal is considered one of the most expensive buildings in the world to which huge funds were spent.

Life balance held in the dungeon

Another legend walks about the emperor's desire to build a second similar structure, but he did not have time to do this. And all that he had remained after his overthrow his own son, - until the end of his life, sadly look from the little window of the dungeon on a stone work of art, who became the tomb of the left wife.

Masterpiece of world art

The Taj Mahal, whose photo is only least transfers the greatness and scale of the work of world art, began in 1632. More than 20 thousand workers collected from all over the country participated in construction. About them further fate Few people know, but, according to legends, so that the Masters did not tell anyone the secrets of the construction of the Mausoleum, they were executed all after the end of work.

I liked the land plot on which the luxurious palace was erected, did not belong to the emperor, but he endured him from the subject to build a monument to his love. Builders filled deep wells with a special solution and stones to protect the construction of its collapse due to the proximity of groundwater, and raised the foundation by 50 meters. Based on marble blocks for special reliability.

Perennial construction

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

To feed the workers, the luxurious monument has been tired of building a day and night, they were brought to the grain, intended to be sent to the province, and a terrible hunger began in the country, which led to an unstable financial situation.

Visual effects

Interestingly, the Taj Mahal, the photo of which causes a feeling of admiration even at the most indifferent to the architecture of a person, was designed to take into account the optical illusions, very unusual for that time.

To get to the palace, first it is necessary to pass the arch leading to the wealth of world culture. And here is an interesting visual effect: as the building approached it, it seems to be removed. The same happens when leaving the arch, when it seems that the Taj Mahal in an unknown way becomes much closer than before.

One more optical illusionwhich misleads visitors: it seems to them that minarets are built next to the mausoleum in parallel. In fact, they are slightly rejected on the parties, and such a project was justified by the protection of the palace in the event of earthquakes. The huge towers would not damage the mausoleum, and fell next to him. Surprisingly, a seismically dangerous place was avoided by cataclysms.

Tombs under the mausoleum

In the Quran there are strings that it is impossible to break the deceased person. Under the main dome of the mausoleum is the tomb, in fact, not one. Afraid that someone dares to disturb his beloved wife, the emperor commanded to bury her in the secret hall under unique masterpiece. After the death of Shah Jakhan, his remains found shelter next to his wife.

Jewelry box

It is amazingly beautiful from the inside uniting several architectural styles Indian Taj Mahal. The decoration of the walls of luxury halls is made on Italian technologies. Colorful patterns made of gems make the mausoleum of a real treasury that storing jewels. The stones were delivered from various parts of the country, and even the ambassadors came to the acquisition of Malachite-valued in the country.

Two parts of the palace

Built in accordance with the representations of Islam on the afterlife, the famous Mausoleum Taj Mahal is divided into two parts. The four courtyards of the caravan-shed and market streets belong to the Earth existence, and the Mausoleum itself and the Paradise Garden - to the otherworldly. By the way, all the income received from trade was going to maintain the palace.

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

Who is the author of the masterpiece?

Researchers cannot accurately name the names of the architects of an amazing masterpiece. It is precisely established that foreigners did not participate in the design of the mausoleum. And some specialists are confident that the ruler himself acted as the main author, because he was famous for the education and sense of style.

The architecture of the Mausoleum expresses the basic principles of the era: strict lines and symmetric layout make the earthly building like a paradise palace.

Majestic complex

The complex itself consists of a tomb, a mirror-located four guard towers - minarets, from the tops that were called, announcing the beginning of prayers. On the sides of the Mausoleum are two mosques made of compressed sand. BUT most The territory of the art monument occupies an amazing park with a reservoir, which reflects the perfect sample of art. At the end of the Green Corridor, visitors meets a luxury Taj Mahal.

Color solution

The color design of the pearls relating to the earth's life of the structure is drawn to the structures of the structure of the structure, and the snow-white mausoleum symbolize faith in life after death.

It is interesting to observe the game of light when the sun's rays at dawn or sunset are painted walls in gentle colors.

Modern problems

Thousands of tourists for whom a masterpiece work is a symbol of India, attend Taj Mahal. The country is proud of the national heritage, and local authorities are very concerned about the safety of the attractions for descendants. Unfortunately, architectural monument With a huge history settles and covered by cracks.

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

Before entering all visitors carefully inspect. It is forbidden to rush in the mausoleum lighters, cigarettes, food, mobile phones and even chewing gum. Therefore, these things are not recommended with them.

On Fridays, the entrance to tourists to the Taj Mahal is prohibited, since in the nearby mosque in Agra are going to commit a Muslim prayer.

Symbol of immortality

The world masterpiece has entered the list of new wonders of the world continues to disturb the minds of the special beauty of architectural lines and luxury of the decoration, and creative people And all lovers are worried sad story creating.

The Taj Mahal stuns at first sight, and each visitor touches eternity imprinted in marble. An ancient landmark that has become a symbol of loyalty and immortality remains forever in memory, and the heart will retain an unforgettable impression from what they saw.