The Taj Mahal Mausoleum: A Teardrop on the Cheek of Time

The first 1,000 people to use this link will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare: skl.sh/geographics03221
What is inside the mausoleum of the Taj Mahal?
→ Subscribe for new videos two times per week.
/ @geographicstravel
This video is #sponsored by Skillshare.
Love content? Check out Simon's other KZbin Channels:
Biographics: / @biographics
Warographics: / @warographics643
MegaProjects: / @megaprojects9649
SideProjects: / @sideprojects
Into The Shadows: / intotheshadows
TopTenz: / toptenznet
Today I Found Out: / todayifoundout
Highlight History: / @highlighthistory
Business Blaze: / @brainblaze6526
Casual Criminalist: / thecasualcriminalist
Decoding the Unknown: / @decodingtheunknown2373

[@geographicstravel]

The first 1,000 people to use this link will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare: skl.sh/geographics03221

[@sujimtangerines]

(I think my phone is possessed. Sorry!)

[@archstanton6102]

@@sujimtangerines Is this comment in the wrong place?

[@sujimtangerines]

@@archstanton6102 omg thank you. That was a text lol how in the heck did it go to 2 apps??

[@FlamingBasketballClub]

VisualPolitik EN is riding the Russian express right now.

[@masterchinese28]

I visited with my son in 2014. Many of the things brought up in the video were shared to us by our tour guide (good job Simon!). The guide told us that the "cut off the hands" myth about the builders was figurative, not literal. According to his account, those who had worked on the Taj Mahal were so well compensated that many retired and didn't want to work anymore, so their hands were no longer working (as if they had been cut off). Another interesting fact was the thickness of the marble and the holes carved in it. The marble is thick enough that the air is cooled by the stone as it passes through, which acted as a geological air conditioner. If you get a chance to visit, I highly recommend it.

[@jon-michaelharris5840]

paying them enough to retire makes more sense than the other, by paying them that much, you are going to get all the best artists for any future projects

[@DieNextInLINE]

That is so cool that the stone functions like that. Just goes to show that people in the past were just as smart as we are. They simply had a different way of doing things.

[@extraordinarygamer937]

Buddy chopping off hands is not a myth, I live in India. Shah Jahan actually did that stop whitewashing our history.

[@masterchinese28]

@@extraordinarygamer937 I am passing on what my Indian tour guide told us. Feel free to tell them your take on it.

[@jamielonsdale3018]

@@extraordinarygamer937 Sources? Any supporting evidence? Until you provide anything substantial to back up your account, I'm inclined to believe the account masterchinese28 has provided. It makes sense, especially given that there exists no corroborated accounts of a large portion of the world's finest artists of various kinds having their hands brutally chopped off. That is the kind of thing of which there would be MANY catologued accounts, the same is true if he had ordered them to be killed.

[@jacc0placc0]

visited the taj mahal. went there 2 days in a row. took a tour. the first hour i couldnt even speak so in awe of this beautifull mausoleum

[@morethan4mph]

I was lucky enough to visit a few years ago. I have been to many "wonders" and found them to be far less wonderful then billed. However, The Taj Mahal truly is amazing. At first sight, viewed from one of the adjoining buildings, it seemed like a perfect white cube which one could pick up and marvel at its symmetry and geometry. It really is perfection - and beauty in a building

[@MrTexasDan]

Been there. It is much larger in person. The relief carvings struck me most. They are everywhere, entire walls of marble carved down to leave floral designs in relief. The craftsmanship and artistry is amazing. Over the years, people walking on the marble has worn down the surface, so now you must remove your shoes. You hand them to a person who watches after a mountain of everyone's shoes. To our relief, they were there when we were done. At the entrance, the tourists are mobbed by people selling nick-knacks and baubles, mostly made in China. A guide told us to just walk right through them as if they didn't exist ... and it works! They get out of your way (apparently they are subject to immediate arrest if they touch a visitor).

[@ignitionfrn2223]

1:15 - Chapter 1 - The pen case & the tablet 4:30 - Chapter 2 - The jewel of the palace 7:25 - Mid roll ads 8:50 - Chapter 3 - Legends of the taj mahal 10:50 - Chapter 4 - The taj mahal at auction ? 13:45 - Chapter 5 - The garden & the peacock 16:40 - Chapter 6 - Skin cleansing treatment - Chapter 7 - - Chapter 8 -

[@rednightfire2655]

7:20 ad begins 8:45 ad ends Skillshare is good. Don´t skip if you want to see it

[@marcusjackson9076]

I loved visiting this gem. I went early in the morning, in December. Weather was cool and could marvel at it taking my time. From distance, it very much looks like a painting when first entering the complex.

[@Pooneil1984]

I count the Taj and the Hagia Sophia as two of the most wonderful structures I have been privileged to see.

[@Bubbaist]

I really enjoyed this one. You should consider an episode on Naqsh-e Jahan in Isfahan, Iran, the world’s second largest city square and probably the most beautiful.

[@OGA103]

This one is on my bucket list. Beautiful.

[@Craftlngo]

When I was in Agra visiting the Taj in 2009, I was told that on the other side of the yamuna river was a shallow basin of huge dimensions back in the days when the Taj Mahal was erected. The reflection of the Taj in this basin could be seen from a certain point. So you could see the Taj Mahal and the mirrored image of it below in the water appearing completely in black. The black Taj Mahal was not a physical building, but I was said that it was the impersonation of the afterlife.

[@joeyr7294]

Yessss! I was watching yesterday's vids again waiting for this moment lol Thanks Simon and Co.

[@TihetrisWeathersby]

One of the most iconic landmarks in the World

[@WizzardJC]

I really would love to, even though I'm not Indian my great grandfather and his mother and father were British Ethnically, but born there in Orissa (I think). Apparently he told my grandfather that India was the most beautiful place on earth.

[@jprehberger]

I saw it in 2014. Our tour guide said it was common for newlyweds to get pictures taken there after their wedding. While there I did see several wedding parties using it as their background scene.

[@TheGrinningViking]

"I promise never to remarry!" - Already had two other wives.

[@rhisavbora2975]

He had many children from his other wives too.. He was never a devotee to momtaz mahal..

[@manoz6194]

He meant remarry after her death

[@ankitchoudhary4568]

How good the photograph may be it can't do justice to its beauty. Need to be there to see it.

[@iwatchDVDsonXbox360]

Cool to see a video about Taj Mahal, but at the same time sad, because now we probably won't get a biography of Shahjahan anytime soon :(

[@elky85]

I am pleasantly surprised that Geographic did not have a video on the Taj Mahal. But anyway, better late than never

[@TheFlyingClutchman]

I would love to see a video on the complex of the baad shahi masjid, shahi kila and the Shalimar Bagh in Lahore also built by the Mughals

[@omgitzzjess]

I would greatly appreciate a video about the Golden Temple, it's history is beautiful!

[@albertconstantine5432]

Super. Thanks. (And thanks for "bass relief."

[@Bubbaist]

If you want to know about another stunning yet less well-known site from ancient Central Asia, check out Shah-i Zinda in Samarkand.

[@dylanvienet7923]

I think Samarkand itself deserves its own video. Such an epic city with history and incredible architecture and monuments at every turn

[@specialk526]

I went when I was younger to visit family & I begged my parents to take me. I had read the Jahanara Royal Diaries book & absolutely fell in love with the story of Mumtaz Mahal & Shah Jahan. I would love to go back one day.

[@jakemiller1386]

Great video! May I suggest you cover Napoleon's tomb? Quiet an elaborate place as well.

[@animeshyadav7321]

The story about the con artist is true. He was caught and tried in court but found a way to escape the grasp of the police through the toilet of the courthouse. You can find the details about his case by visiting the website of India's Ministry of Justice.

[@patrickfahey7159]

Great video. That's a really good story behind the wonder.

[@FlamingBasketballClub]

Excellent video Simon ☺️

[@euchiron]

The placement of his grave beside the grave of Mumtaz suggests a body in orbit of its anchor. I don't know if this was intentional but it's beautiful nonetheless

[@TheMrFabian1]

The title alone is poetry.

[@aashishpandey7796]

It actually is taken from a poem😅

[@teamjacob4eva]

it's actually pretty cool to see so many people who don't live in India have visited the Taj Mahal!!! ( _whereas i, an Indian citizen, have never even been close_ )

[@haberdasherrykr8886]

Near New year and Christmas season there are literally lakhs of people on this compound

[@vectorfox4782]

I don’t have to visit the Taj Mahal to know how painful it is to be reminded of the love one has lost, and the Heaven we could try to create on Earth to try to bring them back… 💔

[@twocvbloke]

Sounds like they need to get the water problem sorted sharpish, though it is ironic to think a lack of water is causing it to sink, usually it's taking on too much water that does that... :P

[@meghanmcburger]

I love India and I'm always so excited to learn more! I can't get enough. Thanks for the informative video and especially for the chapters throughout. So thorough. Can't wait to join you on Warographics even though that shit kinda bums me out. You're just that fun to hang out with. I feel like I'm collecting infinity stones by trying to sub to all of your channels.

[@franl155]

The trouble with all Wonders is that some tourists just don't give them the respect they deserve. It's just another opportunity to take photos. There was a story years ago of a couple who went specifically to see the Taj Mahal by moonlight, said to be a most awesome scene. There were a lot of people there waiting for the magical moment; the mood, however, was shattered by a woman loudly declaring that she didn't see why there weren't any spotlights to show the building so they wouldn't have to wait.

[@charliehorey9886]

when i went to India it was not foreign tourists I saw disrespecting monuments....sadly I witnessed Indian visitors carving their initials and names into historic walls. This was especially shocking at Fatehpur Sikri. This was some time ago so hopefully security is better and this practice has stopped

[@franl155]

@@charliehorey9886 - tourists don't have to come from another country!

[@TheEvilCommenter]

Good video 👍

[@lexthomas2727]

Simon you need a beard worthy of Dumbledore or Gandalf. Keep it growing

[@Caterfree10]

Much as I agree, I doubt Simon would appreciate the comparisons given his preferences in fiction. XD

[@navdeepgusain3059]

It is said that when Aurangzeb desposed Shah Jahan in a coup, he imprisoned his father in Agra Fort. But the location of his prison was such that from there, Shah Jahan was able to see Taj Mahal very clearly.

[@EmilyJelassi]

The Taj Mahal is on near the top of my bucket list.. when it's safe to fly and travel again

[@scottychenoweth5281]

I saw a movie called the last duel about jean corruoges and le fric would you do a bio or woro on Tia please

[@roobscoob47]

....a 'Whistle-Out' to Whistler~

[@carolpond3340]

Can you do the castle Al hambra?

[@Vorusen]

What is most crazy to me is the fact the marble on the inside is being ruined simply by the amount of people BREATHING inside

[@angelitabecerra]

In this day and age masks would actually help with that 🤔

[@andersjjensen]

@@angelitabecerra Nope. These old structures don't have any kind of ventilation built in (presumably to prevent ingress of water) other than the entrance way. What happens when tons and tons of tourists pour in every day is that the carbon dioxide and water vapour rich breath condensates on the cooler stone walls because it isn't being vented properly. "Club soda" is basically what is forming. Which unfortunately is slightly acidic. Marble, being a lime stone, doesn't deal particularly well with acids. Many types of paint (like in old caves or inside the pyramids) don't deal well with neither acid nor water in general. TL;DR: Masks don't block carbon dioxide and water vapour.

[@Julia-uh4li]

@@andersjjensen Masks don't stop 100% of viruses either.

[@andersjjensen]

@@Julia-uh4li But since viruses don't eat lime stone that's not particularly relevant to the discussion...

[@Lohoris]

Nice shirt!

[@multiyapples]

Interesting.

[@jamesgrover2005]

I've been a couple of times before 1997, there was as I remember a cheap rate entry of 2rupees before sunrise and after sunset, but even then the full price was 100r

[@theangryaustralian7624]

That title though....give your writer a raise

[@chrisyanover1777]

I think the only video you haven't done of the 7 wonders of the world on Geographics is the Christ the Redeemer statue in Brazil.

[@iwatchDVDsonXbox360]

Hey, maybe a video about Golden Temple?

[@abhishekbaba8084]

Noice 🔥

[@kadabragugihj665]

Im from India. A great tribute to This Masterpiece.....Thanks a lot Simon

[@shlomster6256]

NICE title!

[@kieranmclaughlin8920]

Lol... eight dollars per month ! Thought you said that, Simon. Most amusing. I live in the so called UK where such would be simply unaffordable. Thankyou. Kieran from Glasgow.

[@nihar_dixit]

Tagore. The "E" is silent at the end.

[@derekgardiner3583]

I jus follow Simon on the internet 🖖😁

[@josephhargrove4319]

The con artist probably understood his targets well. If you were an American tourist, he probably also tried to sell you the Brooklyn Bridge. richard -- MAGPIE, n. A bird whose thievish disposition suggested to someone that it might be taught to talk. -Ambrose Bierce, writer (1842-1914)

[@user-qd1kz4dv4s]

pretty big

[@chopsticksandchappedlips9734]

Do Centralia: America’s Pripyat

[@michaelstephens360]

At 17:18. Yeah cause so many people in the comments section are such unquestionable experts

[@shazzthedon]

Fun fact: the Taj Mahal design was inspired the presenters bald dome

[@andreanobile7004]

It is indeed an amazing monument, glad that I visited it but, as always in India when there is something amazing, the surroundings are gloomy and made me sad.

[@wigglemd]

Went there in 95. the Black Taj mahal is across the river, Directly aligned to the white Taj mahal

[@Blackadderthefourth]

What's one more channel huh

[@felixsanders1691]

Fuck, people really are stoked on the Taj Mahal

[@manas7372]

The number of misrepresented bits of information is astounding. Of course a Brit will minimally mention the effects British Ray had on monuments like this.

[@gummigumm6973]

Feels to me when you tálked ábout it .. The dude who ordered assisted in the building of the marble.. when he died I most strongly assume that the son put him close to her out of respect. Knowing that the emperor had the right to be the one thing that broke the symmetry and especially ciz he's resting in his own house. I say that is very good. Thanks.

[@duncancurtis1758]

Alongside the Qutb Minar the Red Fort the Jamia Masjid and many other wonders of old India 🇮🇳.

[@blodekont5458]

..energy collector...

[@kelvinogden4073]

Been lucky enough to have been there but I’m pretty sure that I was told that her husband was imprisoned at the fort over the river

[@princessmarlena1359]

I’ve heard the walls aren’t solid marble, but marble panels covering up common rubble walls (the rubble walls are for structural ballast).

[@n3v3rg01ngback]

So…it’s not made of chocolate?

[@tuvia4082]

Taj My ego?

[@iteerrex8166]

Glad this gem survived the British invasions, and their efforts to defame it with idiotic fabrications.

[@duncancurtis1758]

Or the greasy old factories that covered it in grot.

[@johnvonshepard9373]

How many time do you need to make the same video? lol

[@reetomghosh2611]

I love ur videos but u really killed the pronounciation of Tagore

[@Bengalinationalist]

Hwy Rabindranath tagore is not indian he is a bengali,he died before India was even independent, he is one of the great poets of Bangladesh

[@gearhead8875]

It is kind of tragic that you are unaware of your own country's history. Rabindranath Tagore was born in undivided India, which was a British colony at that time. Bangladesh was not a country during Rabindranath Tagore's lifetime (1861 - 1941). Bangladesh (formerly East Pakisran) became an independent country on March 26, 1971 after India helped it secede from Pakistan.

[@imonghosh912]

India has as many Bengalis as Bangladesh. And Rabindranath was Indian. Born and raised in Calcutta. Where was Bangladesh in his time eh ? Stop being stupid

[@Prat-zi1ou]

Are you high?

[@bhuvaneshs.k638]

@@gearhead8875 well he's dumb. What can you say We all know rabindranath tagore was an Indian

[@imperialguard28]

True love means building your wife a tomb like this:

[@rheinhardtgrafvonthiesenha8185]

Not for nothing but there’s 7 marvels in Italy alone that blow this out of the water (and yes I’ve been there). It’s really not all that. The floor matches the exact angle of the amount spaces in a hypotenuse triangle and blah blah blah it’s a bland looking white building that’s what it is

[@rjspires]

9:50 I hate seeing those badly AI upscaled pictures. It ruins and hide the beauty of the craftmanship.

[@abandonedcat2300]

I visited Taj-mahal once, then I got scammed 5 times maybe 6. It's so full of it. Also watch where you step. Lol😂😂

[@nigersaurus4873]

😆😆😆

[@Pepsi_Addicted]

first

[@succmymeme572]

It's used to be a shiv temple before islamic invasion

[@kushanshah8040]

Bullshit

[@MohamedEzekiel]

Everyone's mouth get paralyzed when pronouncing Muslim names

[@EK14MeV]

Curry-crazed region seems influenced by component onions, in the design of their domes, the true source of widespread tears. He literally "procreated" his wife to death. What a guy.

[@junlu1266]

Nice fake accent lol

[@hewhoshallnotbenamed5168]

It's ironic that the most iconic image of India is a result of a foreign Islamic imperialist regime.

[@extraordinarygamer937]

Unfortunately because many of the beautiful and marvelous architectures were destroyed by Islamic looters and invaders which were primarily Hindu temples. They proudly boast of destroying more than 40,000 Hindu Temples even today.

[@sultanniazi2394]

The BJP want it destroyed and actively campaigning for it. Also taken off the brochure regarding the states tourist to see list. Please destroy it along with the red mosque. Complete the mission Modi. Go for it.

[@AO00720]

BJP spells doom for india and we welcome it. thanks to all of BJP's supporters.

[@kadabragugihj665]

@@AO00720true brother👍👍👍👍

[@MrPelzig]

So, get rid of it because of the Islamic elements in it? Stupid. I wager the vast majority who visit it, spend money in the area, and bring income to the local populace don't give two bits about the Islamic components. When people think India, the Taj Mahal comes to mind to many. I don't get that kind of thinking.

[@extraordinarygamer937]

@@MrPelzig I agree with you, sure it was built by savage and barbaric looters but that was long time ago, today it is good for bringing in money and should be preserved.