With the construction of this masterpiece connected romantic story.
The Taj Mahal is called the monument of eternal love and fidelity, one of the most majestic buildings in the world and the main architectural attraction of India. The mausoleum was built in the XVII century by the Sultan of the Mughal Emperor Jahan in memory of his dead wife. Taj Mahal survived their creators in the 4 century, but soon it could disappear from the face of the earth.
According to legend, Jahan met his future wife while still heir to the throne, at the age of 15. He was walking through the Oriental Bazaar, met 14-year-old Arjumand Banu Begum – the daughter of the vizier, and fell in love at first sight. According to the ancient customs of the date of marriage could be granted only in accordance with the astrological forecast. The stars indicated on 10 may 1612 as the most favorable for a happy marriage day – it was then a celebration took place, 5 years after their first meeting.
The name Mumtaz Mahal, the girl was given by the father of Jahan, Sultan Jahangir, the day of the wedding. In Russian language the name is translated as “ornament of the Palace” or “jewel of the Palace”. Although Jahan had several wives and a harem with many concubines, Mumtaz Mahal was his favorite wife and faithful friend. She accompanied him in all military campaigns and 19 years of marriage, bore him 14 children. Last delivery was very difficult, exhausted by the long campaign the woman was unable to move them and a few days later died.
Shah Jahan is very grieved at the death of his wife. About a year he spent in solitude. This year he has turned gray and much older. For two years in the country lasted for mourning – were abolished all the festivals, dancing and music were banned. In memory of his beloved ruler decided to erect a monument that would match the beauty of the deceased. Construction began in 1632 the Central mausoleum was completed in 1648, and the entire complex with a Park and fountains in 1653 unfortunately, history has not preserved the name of the person who did the layout of the structure. At that time the honour of building construction was attributed to the customer, not the architect. Presumably, over the construction of the Taj Mahal was a whole group of architects.
More than 20 years, about 20 thousand workers worked on the implementation of the plan of Jahan. The place of erection of the mausoleum was selected by the city of Agra, 250 km from Delhi. Since the construction was carried out on coast of the river Yamuna, when laying the Foundation there were certain difficulties associated with the instability of the soil. Then for the first time used a unique technology: wells have been dug, filled with gravel for drainage and support of the Foundation.
According to historians, it was one of the most expensive buildings in the world – at that time it cost the Sultan of 32 million rupees, which at the moment is the equivalent of several billion euros. The walls of the mausoleum is lined with pure marble, brought from quarries located within 300 km, and is decorated with mosaics of precious and semi-precious stones. The door to the tomb was black, inside was a parapet made of gold, and the tomb of Mumtaz Mahal lay fabric, embroidered with pearls. Subsequently, the mausoleum was plundered, and jewelry and tapestries stolen.
In 1658 the Sultan was overthrown by his son, Jehan imprisoned in the tower, from whose Windows was seen the Taj Mahal. There he spent the last 8 years of his life. He was buried beside his beloved wife in the same tomb.
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In 1983, Taj Mahal made to the list of UNESCO world heritage site in 2007 – to the list of new seven wonders of the world, however soon he may disappear from the face of the earth. Over the last century the mausoleum was severely damaged as a result of environmental pollution. Because of industrial emissions, the marble began to yellow, and its yearly cleaning. The river Yamuna in India, a rapidly dries, so that the soil under the tomb sags. Under the dome of the mausoleum and on the walls there were cracks. If the shallowing and erosion continues, the structure will collapse.
