The Taj Mahal is one of the most famous and beautiful architectural structures in the world, a symbol of eternal love and one of the most popular tourist attractions in India. Located in the city of Agra, on the banks of the Yamuna River, the Taj Mahal attracts millions of visitors every year.
These are the silent but expressive witnesses of the mighty talent and amazing hard work of many generations of Indians. Some of the ancient monuments have not survived, having been destroyed during the turbulent and complex history of the country. The best preserved are those, the creation of which is separated from us not by millennia, but by centuries. Indian people carefully preserve and sacredly honor the pearls of architecture and art – the creations of architects and artists of the past.
Today all adults and children, when the name of India is mentioned, speak about Taj Mahal. What preceded the construction of this architectural creation?
History of the founding
In the early 17th century, the lord Shah Jahan amassed enormous wealth. The people were mercilessly exploited, millions of people died of hunger, and the Shah built more and more new palaces, striking incredible luxury. His court spent time in feasts and amusements.
In 1630, the beautiful Mumtaz Mahal, Shah Jahan’s favorite wife, died. Legend has it that when dying, Mumtaz Mahal asked her husband to fulfill her three wishes: not to marry after her death, to take care of her children (of whom, despite the queen’s youth, there were 14) and to build a mausoleum palace in her honor, the equal of which would not be in the world.
Shah Jahan fulfilled all the requests of his deceased wife. By his order, architects, stonemasons, artists from India, Turkey, Persia and Italy gathered in Agra. Twenty thousand people spent more than 20 years building the tomb, which today has no equal in beauty and perfection of forms. The complex was completed in 1653.
Architecture and design
The Taj Mahal is a complex of buildings, the centerpiece of which is a white marble mausoleum. The architectural style of the Taj Mahal combines elements of Indian, Persian and Islamic architecture.
- Main Mausoleum: The mausoleum is square in shape and topped with a huge dome. Inside the mausoleum are the cenotaphs (symbolic tombs) of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan. The actual tombs are located in an underground chamber.
- Minarets: Four minarets located at the corners of the platform surrounding the mausoleum add harmony and symmetry to the overall appearance of the structure. Each minaret is tilted slightly outward so that in the event of an earthquake they will fall away from the mausoleum rather than onto it.
- Gardens and adjacent buildings: The Taj Mahal complex is surrounded by magnificent gardens in the Charbagh (four-part garden) style, which symbolize paradise. There are fountains and canals along the axis of the complex. In addition, two symmetrical mosques built of red sandstone adjoin the Taj Mahal.
Legends and myths
The Taj Mahal is shrouded in many legends and myths. One of them says that Shah Jahan intended to build a similar mausoleum of black marble on the opposite bank of the river for himself, but did not have time to realize this plan because of the coup d’état organized by his son Aurangzeb.
Taj Mahal today
Today, the Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is recognized as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Its unique architecture, history and symbolism continue to inspire and fascinate people from all over the world.
The Taj Mahal is not just an architectural marvel, it is a symbol of eternal love, history and culture. Its splendor and beauty has inspired people for centuries and continues to be a source of pride for India and the world. When you visit the Taj Mahal, you will plunge into the atmosphere of ancient Indian history and feel the breath of eternal love embodied in marble.
