Two historical land mark: Taj Mahal from India and Donggureung from South Korea (Both are tombs represent different culture, power, history and listed as Heritage Site by UNESCO)
In Korea whenever, I meet to some of the Korean friends, at the first meeting they remind me about indo curry and then obviously Taj Mahal. No doubt, Taj Mahal has become the most prominent land mark of the India.
Taj Mahal is nothing but a tomb, built by Indian emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. In this tomb, both Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal are buried here. This is the example of finest architecture of Mughal period (1526 ~ 1707) in India. It is located in the bank of river Yamuna. It was designated as world heritage site on 1983 by UNESCO. You can find detail here.
In the very similar way, Donggureung is the tomb of Joseon dynasty (1392 ~ 1897). It is the burial place of six kings, nine queens and a posthumously declared king and queens in nine mounds.
Interestingly, both tombs are associated with two big dynasties from Asia, one from South Asia and another from East Asia. However, Mughl empire was very big in compare to Joseon empire. Mughal empire ruled India between 1526 to 1707 about 2 centuries and Joseon dynasty ruled from 1392 to 1897 about 5 centuries.
There is one common ground, both dynasty had burial system and Taj was built in the memory of love but Donggureung was built as a tradition. Both site has best location and selected after in-depth analysis.
I must say that Taj must be very expensive affair with respect to the material, architectural detailing and other aspects.
Even though, this writing is incomplete comparision, but I can say with firm believe that Donggreung presents history of 5 centuries of one of the great dynasty of Korea, Joseon. It possesses many lessons for next generation if and only if we can derive from them. One thing I can indicate the landscape setup, a design system beside their philoshopy all are shaping climate friendly builtup area. At the lowest, we can use this though and idea for today's world of climate change.
Last week, we had an opportunity to visit Donggureung tombs. Recently, this site is designated as ‘World Heritage Site’ hence came under World’s cross hair. This graveyard has nine royal mausoleums and seventeen graves. It is located in a large forest area and it occupies a larger area compared to the other tombs in Korea. The surrounding forest enhances the beauty of the place.
Photo taken in front of the tomb
Source: Donggreung Brochure
For any big projects, location does matter. In the same way Donggureung site was selected based on (a) Distance from Hangan (Old name of seoul) (b) distance in relation to other royal tomb (c) the accessibility of the location and (d) Korean traditions of geomancy. It also considered traditional burial rituals of Korea and the natural environment.
One interesting story, the long reeds are said to have been transplanted from King Taejo's hometown of Hamgeung. Overall it carries 600 years of fascinating Joseon History within it.
Here, I am going to explain brief characteristics of all the tombs.
1. Geonwonneung
tomb of King Taejo
This is the tomb of King Taejo, the first king of the Joseon dynasty. He founded dynasty in 1392 and ruled merely for 6 years and then retired. After his death in 1408, his fifth son King Taejon built his tomb.
2. Hyeolleung
tomb of King Munjong and Queen Gwon
This is the tomb of King Munjong (5th king) and Queen Gwon. King Munjong was an extremely learned man and published many books on Korean history. He was the son of King Sejong, considered to be the greatest of all Joseon kings. Munjong died at age 39 after reigning only 3 years (1450-52). Queen Gwon died in 1441 but her remains were interred here only in 1513.
3. Mongneung
tomb of King Seonjo, Queen Bak and Queen Kim
This is the tomb of King Seonjo (1567-1608), Queen Bak, & Queen Kim. To the right of his tomb stand the twin tombs of Queen Bak and Queen Kim. The King's tomb has a 12-sided retaining wall and the Queen's tombs have a rock fence.
4. Hwireung
Tomb of Queen Jo
This tomb belongs to Queen Jo, 2nd wife of Injo, the 16th ruler of Joseon dynasty.
5. Sungneung
tomb of King Hyeonjong and Queen Kim
Sungneung is the tomb of Hyeonjong, the 18th king of Choson. Queen Kim is interred in a separate burial mound to his right. He ruled for 15 years (1659-74) and died at age 33.
6. Hyereung
tomb of Queen Sim
Here lie the remains of Queen Sim, the first queen of King Gyeongjong, the 20th ruler of the Choson dynasty (r. 1720-24). Gyeongjong was the son of the infamous concubine Jang Huibin.
7. Wolleung
tomb of King Yeongjo and Queen Kim
Wolleung is the tomb of King Yeongjo, the 21st ruler of Joseon, and his wife Queen Kim. Yeongjo died in 1778 at age 82. The son of Choe Sukbin, a concubine of king Sukjong (19th king), Yeongjo acceded to the throne upon the death of Gyeongjong, his half brother and son of Jang Huibin. King Yeongjo reigned for 52 years, longer than any other king of the Choson dynasty.
8. Sureung
tomb of prince Ikjong and Prince Jo
Prince Munjo, the son of King Sunjo (the 23rd king), did not live long enough to reign. Munjo married at age 11 and died at 21. His father loved him greatly and ordered a kingly tomb, or "neung", built for him. The prince was given the title of Ikjong posthumously. His widow Queen JO was buried here in 1890.
9. Gyeongneung
tomb of King Heonjong, Queen Kim and Queen Hong
The tomb of King Heonjong, the 24th ruler, is the sole example of a tomb with three mounds enclosed inside the same wall. Heonjong became king at age seven and married Queen Kim at age 11. Queen Kim died when the king was 16. Two years later at 18, he married Queen Hong. King Heonjong reigned for 15 years (1834-49) and died at age 22. Both queens are buried in separate mounds to the right of the King's tomb. Queen Hong was the last member of the royal family to be buried at Donggureung. She died in 1904 at age 73.