its white shining marble, is actually one of the most iconic destinations in the world.

這座佈滿白色耀眼大理石的建築物，正是世界級最具標誌性的地點之一

The Taj Mahal has been voted into "the seven new wonders of the world"-list and is visited

泰姬瑪哈陵已經被票選為世界新七大奇景之一

by millions of people each year. While many think Taj Mahal refers to the white

每年有上百萬的遊客前來參觀。許多人認為泰姬瑪哈陵只是一座以白色大理石

marble mausoleum, the Taj Mahal is actually the whole structural complex. In order to enter

修築的陵墓，其實，泰姬瑪哈陵的建築結構非常複雜

the Taj Mahal you pass through the gateway building which leads into the garden. The

為了進入泰姬瑪哈陵，您需要穿過通往花園的大門

raised marble water tank between the gatehouse and the mausoleum is called "al Hawd al-Kawthar",

介於花園門樓與陵墓之間上升的大理石水池，稱為「al Hawd al-Kawthar」

in reference to the "Tank of Abundance" promised to Muhammad -- Prophet of Islam. In addition

意指允諾伊斯蘭教先知—穆罕默德的「豐盛之池」

to the mausoleum, Taj Mahal is made up of a mosque to the west and a mimic building

除了陵墓以外，泰姬瑪哈陵的西側由一座清真寺所組成，東側則是仿效西側清真寺的建築外觀

to the east. The eastern building's purpose was to provide architectural balance or possibly

東側建築物的設計目的為達到整體建築的平衡感

serve as a guesthouse. Surrounding the main mausoleum stands four minarets. These were

或者是用來作為來賓接待廳。陵墓的主體周圍林立著四座宣禮塔

used in traditional mosques to call Islamic faithful to prayer. While these towers were

這些宣禮塔在傳統的清真寺裡，是用以召喚信眾禮拜。這些宣禮塔的設計

designed as working minarets, they further displaying the designer's desire for perfect

不僅有實際用途，更進一步地展現設計者對於對稱之美的追求

symmetry. So what's the story behind this amazing place?

那麼，這座美麗建築物的背後隱藏著甚麼樣的故事呢？

Why was it built and by who? The story behind Taj Mahal starts when the

為什麼建造它、由誰建造而成的？泰姬瑪哈陵的故事

Mughal emperor to be, Shan Jahan, met a Persian nobles daughter, Arjumand Banu. They quickly

起源於蒙兀兒王朝第五代君王沙賈汗與波斯貴族的女兒亞珠曼德．貝儂的相遇

fell in love and married five years later. By then, Shan Jahan already had two wives,

他們很快地墜入愛河且在五年後結為連理。在此之前，沙賈汗已經有兩位妻子

but Arjumand would become his favorite wife. When Shan Jahan became the emperor in 1628,

但是亞珠曼德．貝儂成為沙賈汗最愛的妻子。當沙賈汗於西元1628年登基即位

he bestowed her with the title "Mumtaz Mahal" -- meaning "Jewel of the Temple".

他隨即贈予他的愛妻「慕塔芝・瑪哈」的頭銜—意指「宮殿之光」

When Mumtaz Mahal died while giving birth to their 14th child, in 1631, Shan Jahan was

1631年，慕塔芝・瑪哈在第14胎時不幸難產過世，沙賈汗傷心至極

devastated. Some say" The Taj", as it is sometimes referred to, was built as a last request from

有些人說泰姬瑪哈陵是慕塔芝・瑪哈臨終前的最後請求

his wife while others say it was simply a way to honor her. Either way, Shan Jahan gave

然而，有些人說建造這一座陵墓只是為了能讓大家紀念她。無論哪種說法

the order to build what would be one of the most magnificent tombs ever -- one certainly

沙賈汗下令所建造的美麗陵墓，將成為一座最震驚世人的陵墓之一

worthy of his very own "Jewel of the Temple". One year after the death of his beloved wife,

此建築的美貌作為他的「宮殿之光」，當之無愧。沙賈汗的愛妻過世一年後

the construction of the Taj Mahal began. The name Taj Mahal further shows the emperors

泰姬瑪哈陵的建造計畫開始動工。此名字「泰姬瑪哈陵」更進一步地傳達帝王

dedicating and love for his lost wife. "Taj" is a Hindu origin and means "crown" while

對於已逝妻子的愛意。「Taj」一詞來自印度，意指「皇冠」

"Mahal" refers to the title he bestowed his wife. Thus, "Taj Mahal" translates to "The

「Mahal（瑪哈）」即是沙賈汗贈予愛妻的頭銜。因此，「Taj Mahal」意指

Crown of Mahal", which is certainly a fitting name.

「宮殿之冠（宮殿中最心愛的人）」，此名非常之貼切

The Taj Mahal was constructed using materials from all over India and Asia and over 1,000

泰姬瑪哈陵的建料來自印度與亞洲各地，且使用超過1000頭大象

elephants were used to transport building materials. The work force was made up of over

搬運建料。徵招超過2萬名人力

20.000 men and Shan Jahan had the best sculptors, calligraphers and stonecutters from all over

請來當時亞洲與中東各地最傑出的雕刻家、書法家與石匠

asia and the middle east recruited in order to build the Taj Mahal. The main building

一同來建造泰姬瑪哈陵

was completed 26 years later, in 1648, and the whole building complex as such 1953.

主殿花費了26年的時間建造而成，於1648年完成，整座繁複的陵墓完工時間約在1953年

The Taj Mahal architecture combines styles from Persian, Indian and Islamic designs.

泰姬瑪哈陵的建築設計融合了波斯、印度與伊斯蘭教風格

It is by many seen as the crown jewel of Muslim art in India. The dome, which has gotten the

被許多人視為印度伊斯蘭藝術的瑰寶。陵墓上部的圓形穹頂高達35公尺

nickname "the onion dome" due to its looks, stands 35 meters tall. The dome is crowned

因為它的外觀似洋蔥，而有「洋蔥形屋頂」的暱稱

by a bronze finial with Persian and Hindu decorative elements.

圓形穹頂的頂尖冠上富有波斯與印度風格的青銅裝飾物

The calligraphy and the other decorative elements found on the outside of the main building

主殿外觀的書法藝術與其他裝飾元素

are some of the finest you can find. Much of the writing on the building is composed of varieties

其中有些是當時最傑出的代表作品。建築物上的文學作品

of Islamic calligraphy scripts, made of jasper or black marble, inlaid in white marble panels.

是由許多伊斯蘭書法手稿所組成，以紅砂岩或黑色大理石所製成，鑲入白色的大理石板

The writings often have influence or are taken directly from passages in the Qur'an.

這些文學作品通常具有舉足輕重的地位，或是直接擷取《可蘭經》內的經文

The calligraphy on the Great Gate reads "O Soul, thou art at rest. Return to the Lord

大門上的書法文字傳遞此訊息：「靈魂啊，該休息了。回到真主阿拉的身邊

at peace with Him, and He at peace with you." Today, both Shan Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal rest

與祂一同長眠，祂也賜予你平靜。」如今，沙賈汗君王與他的愛妻慕塔芝・瑪哈

inside the main building. One might think their sarcophagi are in the main chamber,

共同長眠在主殿裡。有人認為他們的石棺擺在中央墓室裡

but these are actually false graves. Their sarcophagi lie next to each other beneath

但其實那些石棺是空的。他們的靈柩被並排擺放，依偎在彼此身邊

the inner chamber with their faces turned right and towards Mecca. Due to Muslim tradition

被放置在地下墓室，臉皆朝右，望向麥加。由於穆斯林的傳統習俗當中

forbidding elaborate decoration of graves, their graves are relatively plain and simple,

禁止過度裝飾墳墓，比起這座圍繞在他們四周的陵墓

in contrast to the tomb building surrounding them.

他們的靈柩相較之下顯得簡單而樸實