「翰林技術高中二年級下學期 Lesson 5: The Taj Mahal: Crown of Palaces」- Reading

全文瀏覽
重點單字片語 (39)

Some buildings are so famous that they can represent a whole country. In the case of India, this building is without question the Taj Mahal. It is often called one of the new seven wonders of the world. The Taj Mahal stands in Agra, and is made of the finest white marble. It was completed in 1648, and has a large white "onion dome," which is around 35 meters high and surrounded by four smaller domes. Though it looks like a palace, the Taj Mahal is actually a tomb, and has a special love story behind it.

India was once ruled by the emperor Shah Jahan. When he was still a prince, he married a Persian princess. After he became emperor, he gave her a new name: Mumtaz Mahal, which can be translated as "Jewel of the Palace." Shah Jahan was deeply in love with her, and nothing could separate them. Wherever Shah Jahan went, his beloved Mumtaz accompanied him. When she tragically died in childbirth in 1631, he was heartbroken.

Shah Jahan was overcome with terrible grief, and swore he would never forget Mumtaz. He would do whatever was necessary to keep her memory alive. The year after her death, he ordered the construction of a magnificent tomb as her final resting place. He gathered the best builders and finest materials from all over, and the tomb took 17 years to complete.

Shah Jahan demanded perfection, and most people would agree he got it. The area around the Taj Mahal contains a beautiful garden, a mosquew, a pool that reflects the building beautifully, and the tomb of Shah Jahan himself, who wished to be buried with his wife. Now, it is India's most famous tourist site, and attracts millions of visitors. Its name means "crown of palaces," and it stands as a lasting monument to an emperor's undying love.

有一些建築物著名的程度足以象徵整個國家。就印度而言，其代表建築無疑就是泰姬瑪哈陵。它常被稱為世界新七大奇蹟之一。泰姬瑪哈陵位於阿格拉市，用頂級的白色大理石打造而成。完工於 1648 年，有一座巨大的白色「洋蔥式圓頂」，高約三十五公尺，周圍環繞四個較小的圓頂。雖然泰姬陵看起來像皇宮，但其實是一座陵寢，而且背後還藏著一段特別的愛情故事。

印度曾是皇帝沙賈汗的天下。當他還是王子時，娶了一名波斯公主。登基為皇帝後，他賜給公主一個新的名字：慕塔芝瑪哈，意思是「皇宮之珠」。沙賈汗跟公主鶼鰈情深，沒有什麼可以分開他們。無論沙賈汗去哪裡，心愛的慕塔芝都會陪伴他。1631 年當她不幸難產過世，他傷心欲絕。

沙賈汗深陷悲傷難以自拔，他發誓永遠不會忘記慕塔芝。為了讓關於她的記憶長存，他願意不惜一切。她去世後的隔年，他下令建造一座宏偉的陵寢作為她最終的安息之地。他從各地召集來最好的建築工人和上等建材，花了十七年才大功告成。

沙賈汗要求完美，大部分的人也都承認他做到了。泰姬瑪哈陵周圍有一座漂亮的花園、一間清真寺和一個可以完美映照整棟建築物的水池，以及沙賈汗自己的陵墓，他希望能跟妻子合葬在一起。現今，它是印度最有名的觀光景點，吸引了數以百萬計的遊客。泰姬瑪哈的意思是「皇宮之冠」，而它就像一座屹立不搖的紀念碑，見證帝王至死不渝的愛情。