I was watching a tiger documentary in India which was shot in some tiger reserve in Rathnagore (I think). Anyway, quite fascinating to see these tigers strolling around the ruins of some old moghul palace which was in ruins, but still looked pretty fantastic.
I wonder why all the most impressive buildings were built so long ago? Mosques, Churches, Temples and monasteries; all the truly inspiring buildings date back at least a couple of centuries. Did it have something to do with money gained through imperialism?
Even in England, the old buildings are definitely the most awe-inspiring like some of the old churches in Scotland or the Houses of Parliament. Nothing is built on that scale anymore and instead we have pathetic structures like The Dome.
Maybe it’s due to a more equal distribution of wealth? Perhaps only such buildings can be built in the time of Pharoes or Saddam Husssain? Any ideas?
Have you heard of the Lotus Temple in New Delhi ? It is a Baha'i Temple and I think it is one of the better structures built in recent times. Although I must say its no match for the monuments built by the Mughals and other kings long ago. I am not sure how the economics would work out if someone were to build those kind of structures today.
I haven't heard of it but maybe you could post a link to a picture? There are lots of amazing structures in Pakistan also, not to mention places like Russia and Yugoslavia, but it seems strange that people were able to build such magnificent monuments centuries ago, but seem to have lost either the inspiration or financial means to do it today.
As a kid, I used to go to this place called Aurangabad a lot in my home state of Maharashtra. The city is named after Aurangazeb and there is this monument built by him called “Bibi ka Maqbara” (in memory of his wife Rabia Durrani) – I don’t know how many have heard of it. He tried to make it like the Taj Mahal, but basically messed up
I saw a program the other night actually about this building in India, I think a guy called Raja Ram had it built and right at the top it had a 40 tonne gold dome built on it.
Anyway one of the main topics of discussion was that how did they manage to make them so tall? And how did they manage to get that 40 tonne block up there?
And as everything was hand carved, it must taken absolutely weeks if not years, to finish these beautiful and awesome sights. The really are amazing sights.
[This message has been edited by Mariah (edited November 02, 2000).]