HISTORIC MONUMENTS OF THE MODERN PERIOD

It was Herodotus, the father of history who stipulated the count of world wonders as seven since ancient ages till modern period. Even though the wonders are being changed for 2500 years, the number of wonders remained the same as he believed that the number seven has certain magical power. But, it is equally inevitable to bring the other extra-ordinary man-made creations to the lime light. Hence, this article aims at presenting 5 historic monuments of modern period 1. Taj Mahal 2. Petra 3. Christ the Redeemer 4. Machu Picchu 5. Chichen Itza. 

1. Taj Mahal

The epithets that this human wonder carved out of marble are innumerable like the India’s eminent historical place, world’s most beautiful mausoleum, one among the list of seven wonders of world etc. Taj Mahal and other buildings around it took around 25 years of human effort since 1631 to transform it into the current state that made use of artists from different parts of the world. It is assumed that the Persian architect, Usthad Eesa stood behind the creation of Taj Mahal, that cost around 4.5 crores during the 17^th century. It was set up as the memorial of Mumtaz who was the wife of Shajahan and his boundless love and sorrow for Mumtaz still echoes in the walls of Taj Mahal.

2. Petra

 Petra is an antique place that remained hidden for years, and it proudly sits in the southwest region of Jordan that concealed with hilly terrain and mountains. During the reign of the Nabataean Empire, it was the trade center of the empire but eventually dilapidated. In 1800, John Lewis Burckhardt discovered this mysterious place and he praised the beauty of Petra as the ‘one among the finest historical debris'. But, due to the wide treasure hunting of foreigners, Petra remained concealed. Nabataean, made up of standstone, Monastery carved in a hill, the mausoleum in Greek-Roman style is the breath-taking sights in Petra.

3. Christ the Redeemer

 The city, Rio de Janeiro in Brazil is eminent for a statue placed in the zenith of Corcovado mountain. This statue of Jesus Christ with arms wide open has a length of 30 meters. In 1921, the Roman Catholic diocese aimed to build a statue of Christ on the top of this 704m mountain with an intention that, the statue should be visible from everywhere in the Rio de Janeiro. As a part of it, the design put forward by an engineer, Heitor da Silva Costa was taken and thus made this admirable statue. The work that started in 1926 ended by five years using the building mixture of concrete, iron, and triangular shaped soapstone.

4. Machu Picchu

 Machu Picchu is the noteworthy symbol of the Inca dynasty in Peru that never fails to make the modern world wonder about its incredible constructional style centuries ago. Machu Picchu is an ancient city along the sloping valley of Andes mountain with the blessed presence of the Urumbaba river. It is one of the most visited destinations in South America, but during the first half of 20^th century, Machu Picchu was only known for its tribes. Hence, it is referred to as the ‘Lost City of Incas', as the Spanish rulers of that time weren’t even aware of its existence. The noteworthy engineering skills of Incas are visible in the architecture of buildings, walls, methods of agriculture and irrigation, tricks to get rid of soil erosion, etc.

5. Chichen Itza

Chichen Itza was the power center of the Mayan dynasty during AD 750 to AD 1200 and it was notable for pyramids with steps, shrines, trade centres, stone sculpture, etc. The ‘El Castillo' also known as the ‘Temple of Kulkun' is the significant construction over there, with 365 steps signifying 365 days and it reflects the importance and accuracy of Mayan astronomy. Yearly two times, a shadow of snake comes behind this pyramid due to the deflection in sun movement and other equipment used for amateur astronomy can be also seen there.

 I wish these historic monuments of the modern period can render you splendid experience of exploration.