The list of ‘New Seven Wonders of the World’ was announced in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal through voting by the people across the world. The sites were selected according to a tally of around 100 million votes cast by people around the world over the Internet and by cell phone text messages. The major attractions before the announcement of the result were on the shortlist of 21 historical places of the world. Propelled by some vigorous voting, the Taj Mahal of India, one of the most beautiful man-made marvels and the monument of love found its place in the pride list of the new seven wonders of the world. The other six wonders are the Great Wall of China, the Petra in Jordan, the Statue of Christ Redeemer in Brazil, the Incan ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru, the ancient Mayan City of Chichen Itza in Mexico and the Colosseum of Rome in Italy.
The Taj Mahal of India:- Taj Mahal, the immense mausoleum of white marble is the most popular known masterpiece of architecture in India. It is a worth seeing historical monument and is the most hunting spot for tourists from both India and abroad. Taj Mahal means ‘crown palace’ and it is in fact the most well-preserved and architecturally beautiful tomb in the world.
The Taj Mahal is at Agra, in the state of Uttar Pradesh, on the bank of river Yamuna. Agra was the capital of Mughal Empire until they moved their capital to Delhi in 1637. The Taj Mahal was built by Shah Jahan, the fifth Mughal Emperor in 1631 in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, a Persian Muslim Princess. This historical monument is a momentum love between Shah Jahan and Mumtaj Mahal. After the death of Mumtaz, Shah Jahan started constructing the Taj as a tribute to love. The construction began in 1631 and was completed in 22 years. Twenty thousand people were deployed to work on it. The materials used to build this majestic piece were brought in from all over India and Central Asia and it took a fleet of 1000 elephants to transport these to the site. The Taj was designed by an architect named Ustad Isa of Iran. It is said that crores of Rupees were spent at that time in order to construct this majestic tombstone.
The Great Wall of China:- The Great Wall of China was built over 2000 years ago by Qin Shi Huandi, the first emperor of China. It was built in 220 BC to link existing fortification into a united defence system and keep invading Mongol tribes out of China. It is the largest manmade monument ever to have been built. It also takes the credit of the only object to be visible from the moon.
The Great Wall stretches across the mountains of northern China, winding north and northwest of Beijing. It is constructed of masonry rocks and packed earth. It was over 5,000 km long. Its thickness ranged from about 4.5 to 9 metres and was to up 7.5 metres tall. The Ming Dynasty ruling China during 1368-1644 AD enlarged the Great Wall to 6,400 km.
Roman Colosseum of Italy :- The Roman Colosseum, the great amphitheatre in the centre of Rome, is one of the most enduring monuments of culture of the ancient Romans. The construction of this huge building was initiated by Emperor Vesparsian around 72 AD and the official opening ceremony was held after 8 years in 80 AD. It was built to give favours to successful legionaries and to celebrate the glory of Roman Empire. It got its popular name, the Colosseum, because of Nero’s Colossus, the 120 ft statue of himself which was nearby. The huge theatre was originally built encompassing four floors. The Colosseum had a total spectator capacity of 45,000 to 50,000. Many fights and games were taking place in this arena, all for the joy of the spectators.
The Statue of Christ Redeemer of Brazil:- This Art Deco-style statue of Lord Jesus Christ stands some 38 metres (125ft) tall, atop the Corcovado mountain overlooking Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. The statue is made of reinforced concrete with the outer layers made from soapstone which is resistant to extreme weather. It took five years to be constructed and was inaugurated on October 12, 1931. Designed by a Brazilian Heitor da Silva Costa and created by French sculptor Paul Landowski, the Christ Redeemer has become a potent symbol of Christianity and a symbol of the great warmth of the Brazilian people. It is one of the world’s best known monuments which has now become part of history.
Petra of Jordan:- Petra is an archaeological site in Jordan. It is in a basin among the mountains which form the eastern flank of Arabah, the large valley running from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqaba. On the edge of Arabian Desert, it was the glittering capital of the Nabotean Empire of king Arctas IV, from 9 B.C. to 40 A.D.
The Petra is famous for having many stone structures carved into the rock. The Nabotean kings provided their city with great tunnel const- ructions and water chambers. A theatre, modeled on Greek-Roman prototypes, is inside it with space for 4,000 audience. Today, the Palace Tombs of Petra, with 42 metre high Hellenistic temple facade on the El-Deir Monastry, are impressive examples of Middle Eastern culture.
Pyramid at Chichen Itza of Mexico:- The sacred city of Itza, called Chichen Itza in Maya is located 75 miles east to Merida, the capital of the State of Yucatan, Mexico. This archaeological site is rated among the most important of the Maya culture. It covers an area approximately six square miles where hundreds of buildings were built in two phases, between 7th and 10th centuries AD and 10th and 13th centuries AD. Now about thirty of them such as -the Pyramid of Kukulkan, the Temple of Chac Mool, the Hall of the Thousand Pillars etc. may still be seen. The Pyramid itself was last and arguably the greatest of all Mayan temples.
Machu Picchu of Peru:- Machu Picchu which was built in 15th century, is one of the most beautiful and enigmatic sites in the world. The ruins of this city rediscovered in 1911 by archaeologist Hiram Bingham. The Incan Emperor Pachacutec built this city in the clouds on the mountain known as Machu Picchu (Old Mountain) during 1460 AD-1470 AD. This extraordinary settlement lies halfway up the Andes Plateau, deep in the Amazon jungle and above the Urubamba River. It was probably abandoned by the Incas because of a smallpox outbreak and after the Spanish defeated the Incan Empire.