Issue date: 23 Sep, 2016
WONDERS OF THE MODERN WORLD. TAJ MAHAL
As part of the Wonders of the modern world series, Correos, in the same way as it did last year with Christ the Redeemer, the Great Wall of China and Chichén Itzá, is dedicating a Premium Sheet to other world wonders such as the Taj Mahal.
The Taj Mahal, meaning the “Crown Palace”, is a complex of buildings found in the city of Agra, in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. It was built between 1631 and 1648 by the Muslim emperor Shah Jahan in honour of his favourite wife, Arjumand Bano, who died while giving birth to their fourteenth daughter. The death of his wife was a devastating blow for the emperor who was locked away by his son, leaving the Empire in the hands of his successors. From its window, he imagined a great mausoleum for his beloved, the most impressive mausoleum that the human mind could ever conceive.
And his dream came true. They needed 20,000 men and 1,000 elephants to build it. The most important architects from the empire contributed to its construction, and, as the legend goes, once the work was completed, it was ordered that the hands be cut off all those who had taken part in the construction so that they could never build anything similar.
Nowadays it is one of the most important tourist destinations in India and, since 1983, it has been recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site as well as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.
Its architecture combines the perfect blend of styles, with Persian, Islamic and Indian influences. Depending on the time of day and the light that is reflecting off it, the building can appear in different shades.
The walls of the mausoleum are a true wonder. The marble is covered in inscriptions from sacred Muslim books and there are also various precious stones embedded in the walls.
The Premium Sheet features a stamp that depicts an image of this impressive building with the colours of orange, white and green from the Indian flag.
Rate A - €0.75. For a “standard” letter or postcard within Spain, up to 20 g.
Rate A2 - €0.85. For a “standard” letter or postcard within Spain, between 20 g and 50 g.
Rate B - €1.65. For a “standard” Ordinary International letter or postcard addressed to Europe (including Greenland), up to 20 g.
Rate C - €1.75. For a “standard” Ordinary International letter or postcard addressed to the rest of the world (except USA, Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand), up to 20 g.
Rate D - €2.10. For a “standard” Ordinary International letter or postcard addressed to the USA, Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, up to 20 g.