Who by nationality is Murtaz, the wife of Shah Jahan. Great Couples: Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan

This legend of love has reliable historical proof of its authenticity, which is the brilliant masterpiece of architecture that immortalized this love. Over the centuries of existence architectural ensemble, located on the bank of the river, its enormous weight did not push through the weak soil even a single centimeter, as if thereby proving the existence of eternal love.

This story began in 1592, with the birth of Padishah Jahangir’s third son, named Khurram, who later became the fifth ruler of the Mughal dynasty. The dynasty ruled a state that included the territories of modern India, Pakistan and parts of Afghanistan. Its founder was the great-great-grandfather of Prince Khurram, Emperor Babur, who became famous not only for his military and state successes, but also for his written Turkic language literary works, the most famous of which is his autobiography Babur-name. Babur was a direct descendant of the great Turkic-Mongol conqueror and commander Timur, or as he was called in the Persian manner, Tamerlane. Timur, although he did not come from the family of Genghis Khan, lay claim to the restoration of his empire and largely succeeded in this, creating a vast state in the vastness of the Eurasian continent, with a system of government, culture, urban planning and science developed at that time.

Prince Khurram, in full accordance with his pedigree, already in his youth showed military abilities, successfully leading an army aimed at subjugating the Mewar region. Subsequent military campaigns in the Deccan and Kangra were also successful. Successes strengthened the young prince's genetic craving for power. In 1622, Shahzade Khurram rebelled against his own father, Jahangir, and his wife Nur Jahan, who ruled the empire behind his back. The uprising was suppressed, but Shah Jahangir forgave his son. The mercy and nobility of his father not only saved Khurram’s life, but also allowed him to become the heir to the throne after the death of the padishah. In 1628, already under the name of Shah Jahan (Persian “lord of the world”), Khurram became the absolute ruler of the Mughal Empire.

His first actions as a monarch were the killing of all possible rivals, including his siblings. This was what many monarchs of that time did, especially in the East, where there were no strict principles of inheritance of supreme power, which often led to fratricidal and bloody wars, and sometimes the collapse of states. The period of Shah Jahan's reign, which lasted 30 years, is recognized as the golden era of the Mughal Empire, after which its decline began. At the same time, the reign of Shah Jahan was not marked by major military achievements and conquests. On the contrary, he is often blamed for military failures against Sevefid Persia and the loss of part of the territories.

Shah Jahan's rule cannot be called a liberal rule. Being Turkic in origin and being at the head Indian country, The Mughals voluntarily adopted Persian culture. This created the possibility of combining at once three great cultures: Indian, Turkic and Persian. The tolerance shown by the Muslim rulers of India allowed the two largest religions of the empire, Hinduism and Islam, and others to coexist peacefully. But Shah Jahan, despite his mother's Indian origin, pursued a policy of oppressing all non-Muslim religions, destroying their temples and applying other restrictions. This did not stop him from attracting various public services representatives of various religious backgrounds. Perhaps it was thanks to this that Shah Jahan managed to leave behind so many magnificent architectural structures, which are examples of a combination of Hindu decorativeness and Muslim severity. The main pearl of this heritage is rightfully considered a masterpiece of world architecture, which is associated with the most strong feeling the entire life of Shah Jahan - the feeling of his love for Mumtaz Mahal, which began from the first minute of their acquaintance and ended with his death.

The acquaintance and engagement of the then Prince Khurram with his future wife, who bore the name Arjumanad Banu Begam, at first looked like an acquaintance of convenience common for ruling houses. After all, the girl was the niece of Nur Jahan herself, the de facto ruler of the empire. But the outbreak of love at first sight between Prince Khurram and his bride turned this standard marriage for those times and circumstances into legendary history love. Many sources testify to the extraordinary beauty of the girl, who comes from a noble Persian family. It was this beauty that could be the reason for the name Mumtaz Mahal, (Persian “decoration of the palace”), which Shah Jahangir gave to the future wife of his son. For Shah Jahan, his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, meant a lot. She accompanied him on all military campaigns, both when he was still a prince, and after, and even when she was pregnant. She bore him 14 children in 18 years life together, including the next ruler of the empire, Aurangzeb. But unlike her aunt, Nur Jahan, Mumtaz Mahal did not try to become an adviser or manage her husband, she simply was his reliable and main support in everything.

But with all this, Shah Jahan remained a typical man of his time and position. Mumtaz Mahal was his beloved, but not his only wife. She lived in a harem and lived according to the laws of the harem. Guarded by eunuchs, all the wives of the padishah were securely hidden from prying eyes, observing the palace only from behind the curtains. The traditions of the palace included gifts from various nobles to the wives of the padishah. There was a strict hierarchy in the harem and the incomes of the women of the harem varied depending on their hierarchical position. Women invested their accumulated funds in trade, construction, etc., thus increasing their wealth. Mumtaz Mahal was no exception, creating quite a large fortune.

It is unknown how long the love idyll in the relationship between Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal could have lasted, but fate prepared a cruel blow for them. Mumtaz Mahal died in 1631 at the age of 38 after giving birth to her 14th child, having been the wife of the padishah for only three years. Legend has it that the grief-stricken ruler promised on his wife’s deathbed to perpetuate their love.

Twenty long years, 20,000 workers, 1,000 elephants and huge amount Shah Jahan needed building material to fulfill his promise. The Taj Mahal mausoleum complex, (Persian “crown of palaces”), built in the capital of the empire, Agra, the best architects and masters of his time, is recognized as one of the modern wonders of the world. The only asymmetrical part of this masterpiece is the hall where the tombs are located, for Shah Jahan provided only a place in the very center for the tomb of his beloved wife, and his own tomb was added to the side later, after his death at the age of 74. Remaining on for many years without your love, but in recent years deprived of life by his own son and his kingdom and even freedom, Shah Jahan thus received the opportunity, albeit symbolic, but still of reunion with the woman of his whole life.

The Taj Mahal is one of the most grandiose buildings located in India; every year the number of visitors to the majestic mausoleum exceeds 5 million people. Tourists are attracted not only by the beauty of the structure, but also by the beautiful story. The mausoleum was erected by order of the padishah of the Mughal Empire, who wanted to tell the whole world about his longing for his deceased wife Mumtaz Mahal. What is known about the Taj Mahal, declared the pearl of Muslim art, and the love that led to its creation?

Shah Jahan: biography of the padishah

“Lord of the World” - this is the meaning of the name that one of the most famous Mughal padishahs received from his father, who loved him more than other children. Shah Jahan, the famous creator of the Taj Mahal, was born in 1592. He led the Mughal Empire at the age of 36, seizing the throne after the death of his father Jahangir and getting rid of his rival brothers. The new padishah quickly established himself as a decisive and ruthless ruler. Thanks to several military campaigns, he managed to increase the territory of his empire. At the beginning of his reign, he was one of the most powerful people of the 17th century.

Shah Jahan was interested not only in military campaigns. For his time, the padishah was well educated, cared about the development of science and architecture, patronized artists, and appreciated beauty in all its manifestations.

Fateful meeting

Legend has it that the ruler of the Mughal Empire met his future wife Mumtaz Mahal by chance; it happened while walking through the bazaar. From the crowd of people, his gaze caught a young maiden holding wooden beads in her hands, whose beauty captivated him. The padishah, who was still heir to the throne at that time, fell in love so much that he decided to take the girl as his wife.

Mumtaz Mahal, an Armenian by nationality, came from the family of vizier Abdul Hasan Asaf Khan, who was part of the circle of Padishah Jahangir’s circle. The girl, who was named Arjumand Banu Begam at birth, was the niece of Jahangir's beloved wife Nur Jahan. Consequently, she could boast not only of an attractive appearance, but also of noble origin, so there were no obstacles to the wedding. On the contrary, such a marriage strengthened the position of the heir as a contender for the throne, but he still married for love.

Marriage

Jahangir happily allowed his beloved son to marry the girl he liked, Mumtaz Mahal; the bride’s nationality was also not perceived as an obstacle, given the noble origin of her father. The betrothal ceremony took place in 1607, when the bride, born in 1593, was no more than 14 years old. By unknown reasons the wedding was postponed for 5 years.

It was during the wedding that I received my beautiful name Mumtaz Mahal. The biography of the famous wife of the ruler of the Mughal Empire says that it was invented by his father-in-law Jahangir, who was still ruling at that time. The name is translated into Russian as “the pearl of the palace,” which serves as proof of the girl’s extraordinary beauty.

The husband of the “pearl,” as befits the heir to the throne, had a huge harem. However, not a single concubine was able to win his heart, making him forget about the charming Arjumand. During her lifetime, Mumtaz Mahal became her favorite muse famous poets of that time, which glorified not only her beauty, but also kind heart. The Armenian woman became a reliable support for her husband, accompanying him even on military campaigns.

Misfortune

Unfortunately, it was Arjumand's devotion that cost her her life. She did not consider pregnancy an obstacle to being close to her beloved husband during all his travels. She gave birth to a total of 14 children, which was typical up to that time. Last birth They turned out to be difficult, and the empress, exhausted by the long campaign, was unable to recover from them.

Mumtaz Mahal passed away in 1631, just short of her fortieth birthday. Tragic event happened in a military camp located near Burhanpur. The emperor was with his beloved wife, with whom he had lived together for 19 years, in her last minutes. Before leaving this world, the empress made two promises from her husband. She made him swear that he would not remarry and also build a grand mausoleum for her, the beauty of which the world could enjoy.

Mourning

Until the end of his life, Shah Jahan could not come to terms with the loss of his beloved wife. For 8 whole days he refused to leave his own chambers, rejected food and forbade anyone to talk to him. Legend has it that grief even pushed him to attempt suicide, which, however, ended in failure. By order of the ruler of the Mughal Empire, mourning in the state continued for two years. During these years, the population did not celebrate holidays; music and dancing were banned.

The famous padishah found some consolation for himself in the fulfillment of Arjumand’s dying will. He really refused to marry again, and finally lost interest in his huge harem. On his order, construction began on the mausoleum, which today is one of the most majestic buildings in the world.

Location of the Taj Mahal

In which city is the Taj Mahal located? The city of Agra, located approximately 250 km from Delhi, was chosen for the construction of the mausoleum. The Padishah decided that the tribute to the memory of his beloved wife would be located on the coast of the Jamna River. He was attracted by the picturesqueness of this place. This choice caused certain inconveniences to the builders due to the instability of the soil located next to the water.

A unique technology that had never been used before helped solve the problem. An example of its application in modern construction- the use of piles in the construction of skyscrapers in the UAE.

Construction

Six months after the death of Mumtaz Mahal, the inconsolable husband ordered the construction of the mausoleum to begin. Construction of the Taj Mahal in total took 12 years construction work began in 1632. Historians are unanimous that no building in the world required such costs as this one. Fulfilling the will of his deceased wife, according to palace chronicles, cost the padishah approximately 32 million rupees, which is several billion euros these days.

Shah Jahan made sure that the builders did not skimp on materials. The building was faced with the purest marble, which was supplied from the province of Rajasthan. It is interesting that, according to the decree of the ruler of the Mughal Empire, the use of this marble for other purposes was prohibited.

The costs of building the Taj Mahal were so significant that famine broke out in the state. The grain that was supposed to be sent to the provinces ended up at the construction site and was used to feed the workers. The work was completed only in 1643.

Secrets of the Taj Mahal

The majestic Taj Mahal gave immortality to the padishah and his beautiful beloved Mumtaz Mahal. The story of the ruler’s love for his wife is told to all visitors to the mausoleum. Interest in the building cannot be surprising, because it has amazing beauty.

The builders were able to make the Taj Mahal unique thanks to the optical illusions that were used when designing the mausoleum. You can enter the territory of the complex only after passing through the arch of the entrance gate, only then the building opens before the eyes of the guests. To a person who approaches the arch, it may seem that the mausoleum is getting smaller and moving away. The opposite effect is created when moving away from the arch. Thus, every visitor can feel as if he is taking the grand Taj Mahal with him.

A clever technique was also used to create the building’s striking minarets, which appear to be positioned strictly vertically. In reality, these elements are slightly tilted to the sides of the building. This solution helps protect the Taj Mahal from destruction as a result of an earthquake. By the way, the height of the minarets is 42 meters, and the height of the mausoleum as a whole is 74 meters.

To decorate the walls, as already mentioned, snow-white polished marble was used, shining under the influence sun rays. Decorative elements included malachite, pearls, corals, carnelians, indelible impression produces elegance of carving.

Mumtaz Mahal burial site

Many people interested in history and architecture know in which city the Taj Mahal is located. However, not everyone knows where exactly the empress’s burial place is located. Her tomb is not located under the main dome of the building erected in her honor. In fact, the burial place of the ruler of the Great Mongol Empire is a secret marble hall, for which an area under the mausoleum was allocated.

It was no coincidence that the Mumtaz Mahal tomb was located in a secret room. This decision was made to ensure that visitors do not disturb the peace of the “pearl of the palace.”

End of story

Having lost his beloved wife, Shah Jahan practically lost interest in power, no longer undertook large-scale military campaigns, and had little interest in the affairs of the state. The empire weakened, was mired in the abyss of an economic crisis, and riots began to break out everywhere. It is not surprising that his son and heir Aurangzeb had loyal supporters who supported him in an attempt to take power from his father and deal with his brother claimants. The old emperor was imprisoned in a fortress, in which he was forced to spend the last years of his life. Shah Jahan left this world in 1666, a lonely and sick old man. The son ordered his father to be buried next to his beloved wife.

The emperor's last wish remained unfulfilled. He dreamed of building another mausoleum opposite the Taj Mahal, exactly repeating its shape, but decorated with black marble. He planned to turn this building into his own tomb; a black and white openwork bridge would connect it to the burial place of his wife. However, the plans were not destined to come true; his son Aurangzeb, who came to power, ordered the construction work to be stopped. Fortunately, the emperor still managed to fulfill the will of his beloved woman and build the Taj Mahal.

Medieval India, Mughal Empire, reign of Emperor Akbar

Marina Bakanova

About the love of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal, in whose honor the Taj Mahal in Agra was built (India - approx. ed.), probably everyone knows. However, this love story was preceded by another, no less bright and beautiful, but unknown to most non-specialists.

Medieval India, the Mughal Empire, the reign of Emperor Akbar...

The country is being thrown from one extreme to another. Great conqueror and the despot at the end of his days becomes a philosopher and thinker, the founder of the Hindustani Renaissance.

His successor is his third son Salim - Sultan Salim Bahadur, who later ascended the throne under the name Abul-Fath Nur ad-din Muhammad Jahangir. He was the first ruler with half Indian roots - his mother was an Indian princess (Rajkumari Hira Kunwari Sahiba (Harsha Bai)), married to Emperor Akbar, converted to Islam and a new name: Vali Nimat Hamida Banu Maryam uz-Zamani Begam Sahiba.

He was extremely controversial personality both according to contemporaries and modern scientists. Many talk about his addiction to alcohol and opium, others refute these facts and consider him a sensitive poet.

At the dawn of his life, the young prince Salim meets Mehr an-Nisa - it was the love that was destined to burn all his life.

Mehr an-Nisa (later Nur Jahan) was born in the city of Kandahar (modern Afghanistan) into a family of ancient Persian aristocrats from the Timurid family. However, their family was expelled from their homeland and forced to seek refuge in neighboring India. During the move, they lost all their property and almost lost their lives. It was at this time - in Kandahar, halfway from Persia to India, that Nur Jahan was born. The family was on the verge of complete starvation and did not have any tolerable housing. However, they did not stop halfway. It is worth noting that the family was helped by the caravan master Malik Masud, who not only took them with him, but also then helped Mehr an-Nisa’s father get into the service of Emperor Akbar.

Her parents thought it was time turning point in their destiny, which is why the newborn daughter was given the name Mehr an-Nisa, which means “the sun among women.”

Her father Mirza Ghiyas Beg managed to do very well indeed. He was appointed treasurer of the Kabul province and rose through the ranks very quickly. After some time, his family moved to Delhi and he was awarded the honorary nickname “Itimad ud-Daula” (“pillar of the state”) by the emperor.

Thanks to this, Mehr un-Nisa received an excellent education. She knew Arabic perfectly and Persian languages, was well versed in art and literature, music and dance.

The famous poet and prose writer of that time, Vidya Dhar Mahajan, spoke of her as the keeper of true intelligence, moderation and common sense.

It is worth noting that despite the fact that for girls, education generally ended after mastering all of the above. But Mehr un-Nisa also gained knowledge in traditionally “male” areas - politics, economics, government. How exactly this happened is not known, about the hiring additional teachers For her, history is silent. Although it is quite possible that her father considered it possible to allow her to attend classes with her brothers.

This would come back to haunt her later - after becoming empress, she actually ruled in place of her husband Jahangir for several years, becoming his official co-ruler, a kind of Roxolana of Hindustan.

In 1594, at the age of 17, she was suddenly married off to, in general, not the best match.

Legend dictates that such a hasty wedding was due to the personal interest of Emperor Akbar. However, no reliable evidence has yet been found for that legend, and many doubt whether all this actually happened.

Mehr an-Nisa, as the daughter of an imperial minister, naturally lived at the palace and had access to the palace parks. Somewhere in the shady alleys she was lucky one day to meet Prince Salim. The beauty of the Persian woman struck him to the heart. But not only that. They were united not only by external feelings. They both turned out to be fans of art and poetry. The prince wrote poems and sent them with flowers to his young lover. However, fate was not kind to them at that time.

The aging Emperor Akbar had his own plans for his son’s marriage. In his mind, the long-awaited heir had no right to love, much less to marry, with a well-born, but absolutely politically unprofitable Persian woman. The emperor, through the marriage of his son, decides to strengthen his empire more and more. Although by that time Salim had already been married several times and had more more concubines Political marriages did not bring him family happiness.

The lovers are ready to run away - but the escape is stopped. So that there are no more reasons for her son’s rash reactions, Mehr an-Nisa is urgently married to Sher Afghan. He was also a Persian by birth, who achieved the favor of the emperor through excellent service in the army, a typical army officer. His marriage to Mehr al-Nisa was presented as a reward for his faithful service.

However, this whole story also has a subtext. The couple only had one daughter throughout their marriage. Sher Afghan's paternity to her has often been questioned, implying that the prince may have been her father. The conversations did not subside even when Ladli Begam was married to youngest son Jahangir Shahriyar, from whose marriage he had a daughter, Arzani Begam.

Mehr an-Nisa and her husband immediately went to a distant garrison. She was able to return only after the death of Emperor Akbar.

Legend claims that the assassination attempt undertaken by Salim in 1602 was revenge for his ruined love. The prince also knew that his love could not come true while his father was alive.

And so, the padishah dies and Salim (who took the name Jahangir) becomes the new padishah. Almost simultaneously with this, Mehr an-Nisa’s husband dies under mysterious circumstances and she and her daughter return to the palace.

However, despite her return, she lives for four whole years as a maid of honor to the eldest woman of the harem - the first wife of Emperor Akbak, the Persian Rukaiya Sultan Begam. This provided her with the protection of the most powerful woman of that time and did not give rise to rumors. Here, lovers could meet again without fear of unnecessary witnesses.

Officially, their first meeting took place only four years later; on the Navruz holiday, the Dowager Empress and her retinue (which included Mehr an-Nisa) arranged magnificent reception and the emperor had to visit him. As the rumor says, Jahangir met the eyes of Mehr an-Nisa and could no longer tear himself away from them.

They married less than two months later. A magnificent wedding, despite the fact that a 34-year-old widow was getting married. 17 years after their first meeting. Mehr an-Nisa becomes the twentieth and very last wife of Jahangir. After her, he no longer had any wives or concubines.

The Emperor was happy. His old love blossomed in full bloom. Mehr al-Nisa received the new name "Nur Jahan" ("light of the world") or "Nur Mahal" ("light of the palace"). Jahangir's endless love put his wife on the same level as his most devoted ministers and, in fact, he made her his co-ruler. Even moreover, the minions of those times claimed that in the last years of his life Jahangir did not rule at all, and all orders came from behind the purdah (literally, a woman’s veil that protects her from prying eyes), hinting that the rules actually case of Nur Jahan and her brother, whom she elevated to the rank of vizier.

Beloved wife, who was honored to sit with her husband on the throne when receiving delegations, including foreign ones. She had the right (and actively used it) to issue orders and manage her own lands. She also chaired cabinet meetings.

She actively arranges the life of her family and her support for the future. Marries his daughter Ladli Begam to his youngest son Jahangir Shahryar. In the future, she will help him gain power bypassing the eldest prince Khurram (the future emperor Shah Jahan). But the latter also turned out to be connected with her. It was she who persuaded Jahangir to marry Khurram to his niece Arjumand Banu Begam (the future wife of his most beloved Mumtaz Mahal, in whose honor the Taj Mahal would actually be built).

She became the only empress of Hindustan with whose name coins were minted.

Nur Jahan was a brilliant architect and park designer who developed royal park Achabal Garden ( Achabal Garden) in Kashmir. It was truly a masterpiece of park art from the Mughal Empire period. The most famous attractions of this park are the purest springs and cascading waterfalls.

Jahangir's death put an end to it happy life and many ambitious plans. 16 years of love are over. However, as the future showed, she retained her love for her husband until her death.

Despite the fact that Shah Jahan clearly disliked the Dowager Empress, who also tried to deprive him of the throne by supporting her plot, he retained a feeling of deep respect for her. He removed her from Delhi in order to avoid unnecessary intrigues and conspiracies. But he allowed him to settle in Lahore, the second city of the empire at that time. Together with her, her daughter, who was widowed by that time, moved to permanent residence.

Nur Jahan devotes this period of his life to memories. He writes many poems and poems under the pseudonym Makhfi. From her personal funds, she organizes the construction of the Itimat ud-Daula mausoleum in honor of her father in Agra. She is also building her own mausoleum, Shahdara Bagh in Lahore, where she herself will find her final refuge. The mausoleum is located not far from the tomb of Jahangir, and next door to it is the mausoleum of her brother Asaf Khan. She ordered the epitaph to be carved on her tomb: “There will be neither a rose flower nor a lamp on the grave of this poor stranger. The butterfly will not burn its wing and the nightingale will not sing its song.”

) - nee Arjumanad Banu Begam, beloved wife of the ruler of the Mughal Empire, Shah Jahan.

Biography

She was the daughter of the famous dignitary of Padishah Jahangir, Vizier Abdul Hassan Asaf Khan. The name Mumtaz Mahal was given to his daughter-in-law by Shah Jahan's father Jahangir during the wedding ceremony. It means "Palace Decoration".

Children of Mumtaz Mahal

1. Khuralnissa Begam (1613-1616)
2. Jahanara Begam (1614-1681)
3. Padshahzade Dara Shikoh (1615-1659)
4. Shahzadeh Muhammad Sultan Shah Shuja Bahadur (1616-1660)
5. Roshanara Begam (1617-1671)
6. Padishah Muhyi ud-Din Muhammad Aurangzeb (1618-1707)
7. Shahzade Sultan Umid Bakhsh (1619-1622)
8. Surayya Banu Begam (1621-1628)
9. Shahzade's Son (1622)
10. Shahzade Sultan Murad Bakhsh (1624-1661)
11. Shahzade Sultan Luftallah (1626-1628)
12. Shahzade Sultan Daulat Afza (1628 - 1629)
13. Husnara Begam (1630)
14. Gauhara Begam (1631-1707)

Write a review on the article "Mumtaz Mahal"

Notes

Links

Excerpt characterizing Mumtaz Mahal

This stained glass window depicts Magdalene
wife in the form of a Teacher standing over
kings, aristocrats, philosophers
families and scientists...

– Do you remember, Isidora, I told you that Jesus Radomir never had anything to do with the false teaching he is shouting about? christian church? It was completely opposite to what Jesus himself taught, and then Magdalene. They taught people real KNOWLEDGE, taught them what we taught them here in Meteora...
And Maria knew even more, since she could freely draw her knowledge from wide open spaces Space, after she left us. They lived closely surrounded by Sorcerers and gifted ones, whom people later renamed “apostles”... in the notorious “bible” they turned out to be old, distrustful Jews... who, I think, if they could, would truly betray Jesus a thousand times. His “apostles” in reality were the Knights of the Temple, but not built by human hands, and created by the high thought of Radomir himself - the Spiritual Temple of Truth and Knowledge. At first there were only nine of these knights, and they gathered together in order, to the best of their abilities, to protect Radomir and Magdalena in that foreign and dangerous country for them, into which fate had so mercilessly thrown them. And the task of the Knights of the Temple was also to (if something irreparable happened!) preserve the TRUTH, which these two wonderful, bright people, who gave their Gift and their pure lives for peace on their beloved, but still very cruel planet...

Story great love: Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal

About five million tourists visit the Taj Mahal in India every year. Creation greatest building on Earth is associated with the name of Shah Jahan, the grandson of the great Mogul Akbar.

The name Shah Jahan, which means “ruler of the world,” was given to his beloved son Khurram by his father. Back in at a young age the boy was engaged to Mumtaz Mahal, but it so happened that they fell in love with each other. And their love has passed the test of eternity...

Shah Jahan had big harem, but for him there were no other women except Mumtaz Mahal. Yes, he had children from other wives, but his feelings for these women could not be compared with his great love to the “chosen one of the palace” - this is how the name Mumtaz Mahal is translated. The fact that they were very close is recorded in all the palace chronicles, which is unusual for eastern world. After all, Muslims preach different love: love for God, for the ruler, for the country - but not romantic.

The lovers' happiness did not last long. An uprising broke out in one of the remote provinces, and Shah Jahan went to suppress it. On all campaigns, Mumtaz Mahal accompanied her husband. But this trip was very difficult for her - she was pregnant. The birth was very difficult, and on June 17, 1631, after the birth of her fourteenth child, she died.

Shah Jahan's grief cannot be described in words. He did not leave his chambers for 8 days, did not eat anything and did not talk to anyone. During this time he grew very old and turned grey.

The history of the creation of the Taj Mahal

According to legend, shortly before her death, Mumtaz Mahal asked her husband to build the most beautiful mausoleum in the world. This was the only thing that Shah Jahan could now do for his beloved...

Construction of the Taj Mahal began in 1632, six months after the death of Mumtaz Mahal, and lasted twelve years. Huge amounts of money were spent on this project. The Taj Mahal is the most expensive structure ever built. About 32 million rupees were spent on construction, which is currently comparable to billions of euros. The purest marble in the world, which was mined in the province of Rajasthan, was used to clad the building. Shah Jahan banned the use of this marble on other construction sites of the Indian Empire.

Due to construction, famine began in the country: part of the grain that was intended for the provinces was sent to the construction site to provide food for the workers.

Construction of the Taj Mahal was completed in 1643. After this, Shah Jahan's reign continued for quite a long time - until 1658. But it could not be called successful. The Empire found itself in very difficult economic situation. The son of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal deprived his father of power. Shah Jahan spent the rest of his life in the Red Fort, from the window of which he constantly looked at the tomb of the woman who became the love of his life... Buried great ruler Mughals next to his beloved wife.

Secrets of the construction of the Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal has been striking in its beauty for more than three hundred years. It can rightfully be called one of the most grandiose structures in the entire history of mankind. The ideas and solutions that were used in its construction are simply amazing! Especially considering that the Taj Mahal is several centuries old. But it is perfect in its beauty and precision. Where is the Taj Mahal and why is it worth visiting?

• The Taj Mahal is located in the city of Agra (about 250 km from Delhi) on the banks of the Jamna River. This place was not the most convenient for the construction of such a structure: the soil is unstable due to the proximity of water. Therefore, a unique technology was used, which is still used today only in a slightly modified form (for example, the use of piles in the construction of skyscrapers in the UAE).

Workers dug deep wells, which passed through the groundwater layer. These wells were filled with stones and lime mortar. On this foundation, stone columns were erected, connected to each other by arches. The foundation slab of the building was placed on this structure.

• When designing the Taj Mahal, some optical illusions. To get to the Taj Mahal, you need to go through the entrance gate arch, through which the visitor first sees the building. As you approach the arch, the Taj Mahal seems to move away. Conversely, when the visitor leaves, he sees through the arch as if the structure is approaching. This creates the effect that a person takes the Taj Mahal with him.
• It seems that the amazingly beautiful minarets of the Taj Mahal are located strictly vertically. But even here there was an optical trick! In fact, they are slightly angled away from the building. If they stood strictly vertically, it would seem that they were leaning towards the mausoleum. But there is another advantage hidden in the chosen inclination. During an earthquake, the minarets would collapse away from the Taj Mahal without hitting it.
• The Taj Mahal combines the best elements of memorials built earlier by representatives of the Mughal dynasty: minarets, a dome, four corner towers and four portals.
• The tomb, which is located under the main dome of the Taj Mahal, is not the real burial site of Mumtaz Mahal. Her real tomb is located in a secret marble hall under the mausoleum. This was done so that no one would disturb the peace of the “chosen one of the palace”. The Koran says that the peace of the deceased should not be disturbed.

Pietra is a fool

The decoration inside the Taj Mahal is made using the Pietra Dura technique, which came to India from Italy. Amazing stone flowers made of gems decorate the walls of the halls and other elements of the building. That's why the Taj Mahal looks like a jewelry box inside.

Nowadays, this art of stone cutting can be seen in Indian workshops. But technology has not changed at all over the past few centuries.

Religious symbolism of the Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal depicts the earthly and afterlife in accordance with the ideas of Islam. The whole complex is divided into 2 parts. The earthly part consists of bazaars and caravanserais, and the afterlife consists of Garden of Eden and mausoleum. The pond and entrance gate located between these two parts symbolize the transition from one world to another.

The color scheme of the Taj Mahal is also very symbolic. The buildings of the earthly part are made of red sandstone. White used only for the mausoleum and symbolizes spirituality and faith.

The mausoleum contains eight halls, which symbolize the eight gates of heaven described in the Koran and one central one - it houses the tomb of Mumtaz Mahal.

What tourists need to know

The entire complex is surrounded by a secure wall, and at the entrance visitors are thoroughly checked for the presence of prohibited things: food, lighters, cigarettes, chewing gum, mobile phones. So it's better to leave them at the hotel.

Photo: Wikipedia, Muhammad Mahdi Karim, Vetra,