THE BEAUTIFUL TAJMAHAL

 

The Taj Mahal is a World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of the World, located in the city of Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. It was built in the 17th century by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal.[1]

The Taj Mahal is an incomparable heritage.

During the reign of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, Mughal architecture reached its peak, and the Taj Mahal is the most famous example of such architecture. The Taj Mahal is a masterpiece of Mughal architecture. Its architectural style is a unique blend of elements of Persian, Turkish, Indian, and Islamic architecture. In 1983, the Taj Mahal became a UNESCO World Heritage Site, being recognized as one of the greatest human creations, universally acclaimed as a World Heritage Site. The Taj Mahal has also been declared a jewel of Islamic art in India. Unlike the commonly seen buildings, which are covered with large layers of marble slabs, its white dome and tile-shaped marble[2] are covered. The central tomb represents a unique architectural masterpiece. The Taj Mahal complex is distinguished by its perfectly symmetrical structure. Its construction was completed around 1648.[1] Ustad Ahmad Lahauri is often considered its chief designer.[3] The Taj Mahal took approximately 22 years to complete.

Floor Plan Map of the Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal's central focus is the white marble mausoleum, built on a square foundation. It is a symmetrical building, featuring an iwan (extraordinary arched entrance). A large dome adorns the building. Like most Mughal tombs, its basic elements are of Persian origin.

Foundation

The foundation is a massive multi-chamber structure. The main chamber is cubical, measuring 55 meters on each side (see floor plan, right). The longer sides feature a massive pishtaq, or arched entrance, with a vaulted ceiling. This is joined by a balcony with an arch above.

Main Arch

Two additional pishtaqs are built on either side of the main arch, in a one-on-one style. In the same style, two pishtaqs (one above the other) are built on each of the four sides of the chamber. This design is perfectly symmetrical on each side of the building, making it an octagon rather than a square. However, since the four corner sides are much shorter than the other four, it would be more appropriate to call it a square. Four minarets surrounding the tomb, at the four corners of the main base platform, appear to frame the building's appearance. The main chamber contains the false tombs of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan. These are richly decorated, and the real ones are located on the lower level.

Dome

The mausoleum's most magnificent feature is its magnificent marble dome (see left). Its height, approximately equal to the base of the building, is 35 meters and it rests on a 7-meter-high cylindrical base. Due to its shape, it is often called an onion-shaped (also called a guava-shaped) dome. Its pinnacle is adorned with an inverted lotus, which joins the dome's edges at the top.

Umbrellas

The dome's shape is further accentuated by four small domed umbrellas (see right) located on its four corners. The domes of the umbrellas are replicas of the main dome's shape, differing only in size. Their pillar-like bases open onto the roof to provide internal lighting. Tall, decorated marble vases further emphasize the height of the dome. A lotus-shaped pinnacle adorns the main dome, as well as the chhatris and vases. A metallic finial, a famous element of traditional Persian and Hindu architecture, adorns the top of the dome and chhatris.

Kireet Kalasha

The crown of the main dome bears a finial (see right). This pinnacle was made of gold until the early 1800s and is now made of bronze.[4] This finial is an integrated combination of elements from Persian and Hindu architecture. It is also found on the pinnacles of Hindu temples. This finial bears a crescent moon, its tip pointing towards the sky. Due to their placement, the crescent moon and the finial tip form the shape of a trident, the symbol of the Hindu god Shiva.[5]

A unique view of the Taj Mahal with the setting sun

Four massive minarets (see left) are located at the four corners of the main base. Each is 40 meters high. These minarets reflect the symmetrical nature of the Taj Mahal's design. These minarets are built in a manner similar to the minarets used for the call to prayer in mosques. Each minaret is divided into three equal sections by two balconies. The final balcony, topped by a canopy similar to the main building, also bears the same lotus-shaped figure and crowned finial. A distinctive feature of these minarets is that they all lean slightly outward, so that in the event of a fall, they will fall outward, preventing any damage to the main building.

Exterior Ornamentation

Calligraphy on the Large Pishtaq

The exterior ornamentation of the Taj Mahal is a fine example of Mughal architecture. As the surface area changes, the larger pishtaq has a larger area than the smaller one, and its ornamentation also changes proportionately. The ornamentation is done with lacquer or stucco work, or by carving and inlaying gems. Islam's prohibition against anthropomorphic figures is strictly observed. The ornamentation is limited to calligraphy, formless, geometric, or plant motifs.

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