45 x 76 cm - International Council on Monuments and Sitesfleblanc/projects/2001-2007_GCI... · 2012-07-27 · i. The Taj Mahal seen from across the river Jumna; three small boats

Taj Mahal — An Annotated Bibliography 49

Company Paintings at the Victoria and Albert Museum2

1) Fifteen drawings of Mughal architecture and ornamental detail on Mughal monuments atAgra.By Delhi artists \vorkingin Calcutta, 1816-22Watercolour; various sixesPresented by Colonel Ramsay W. Phipps.

i. Elevation of the east side of the Taj Mahal, Agra, with part of the surrounding riledterrace and water tank in the foreground. Inscribed on front: The Taje near Agra45 x 76 cmIM 175-1920

ii. Elevation of the great gateway of die garden court of the Taj Mahal Inscribed onfront: Gateway of the Taje Garden.56 x 68 cmIM 176-1920

iii. Coloured pietra dura inlay work on the top of the cenotaph of the Emperor ShahJahan, Taj Mahal, Agra. Inscribed on back: Top of Shah Jahan's tomb46.5 x 177 cmIM 177-1920

iv. Vertical section through the Taj Mahal at Agra, c. 1816-22, showing the cenotaphsand the staircases leading down to the crypt below. Inscribed on front in ink:Vertical section through the Taje; with scale.56.5 x 79 cmIM 179-1920

v. Side elevation of the cenotaph of Arjumand Banu Begum (Mumtaz Mahal), TajMahal, Agra. Inscribed on front in ink: The Cenotaph of the Empress; on back in pencil:Elevation.39.5 x 100.5 cmIM 180-1920

vl Relief panel of white marble with inlaid border of pietra dura work on die inside ofdie entrance to die Taj Mahal, Agra. Inscribed on front in ink' A Panel at the entranceof the Taje. 70.5 x 116.5 cmIM 181-1920

vii. Pietra dura work decoration on top of die cenotaph of die Empress Arjumand BanuBegum, Taj Mahal, Agra. Inscribed on front in ink. The top of the Empress' Cenotaph.61 x 98 cmIM 182-1920

2) Fifteen drawings of monuments in Agra, Delhi and Fatchpur SikriDelhi c. 1820Watercolour on paper widi embossed borders and narrow coloured edge; 19.5 x 12 cm;watermarks: Smidi and Allnutt 1816 and 1819. Acquired by Ixjrd and Lady Amherstduring their tour up country in 1824-27

i. The Taj Mahal, Agra Inscribed on front; Riivrface of the Taj at Agra; on back; Taj fromthe opposite side of the JumnaWatermark 1819IS 10-1964

2 from "Company Paintings: Indian Paintings of the British period" by Midred Archer, V&A Museum, MapinPublishing Pvt. Ltd. 1992


ii. The Taj Mahal, Agra with smaller trees than in (3) Inscribed on front: Taj at AgraIS 21-1964

iii. View of the Taj Mahal, Agra, from the gateway with trees which arc more maturethan in (2) Inscribed on front: View of the Taj from the grand entrance, on back Taj fromthe GatewayWatermark 1819IS 18-1964

iv. Interior of the Taj Mahal, Agra. Inscribed on front: Interior of the TajWatermark: 1819IS 19-1964

v. Tomb of Mumtaz Mahal, Agra. Inscribed on front Tomb of the Empress MumtaâZemanee, in the Taj at Agra; on back: Sarcophagus ofMumtaâIS 17-1964

3) Two drawings of Mughal monuments. Delhi or Agra. C.1820Watercolour. 1.25 cm black borders; various sizes

i. Interior of the Tomb chamber, Taj Mahal, Agra71 x 53 cm2429 (IS)

*

4) Two drawings of the tomb chamber, Taj Mahal, AgraAgra or Delhi c. 1820Watercolor; various sizes

L Interior of the Tomb Chamber, Taj Mahal, Agra. Inscribed in Persian: AnderunGumbad69 x 54.5 cmAL755

ii. Interior of the Tomb Chamber, Taj Mahal, Agra59 x 46.5 cmAL 756

5) Seven drawings of Mughal architectureAgra or Delhi c. 1820Watercolour, various sizes

i. The Taj Mahal seen from across the river Jumna; three small boats on the fiver.48.5 x 70.8 cmAL4201

ii. I Elevation of the entrance gateway to the garden court of the Taj Mahal, Agra.Inscribed on back: Taje date, \intrance to I aje Garden47.5 x 70.5 cmAL 4202

iii. The marble screen around the cenotaphs of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal, Agra.Three section pasted together;59 x 49 cm


AL 4205-7

6) Two drawings of decorative work on the cenotaph of Shah Jahan, Taj Mahal, AgraDelhi c. 1820Watercolour, 26 x 37 cm (D1750(A)-1885);26 x 35.5 cm (D 1750(B)-1885)D1750(A)-1885, D 1750(B)-1885

7) Two keys to the decorative work on the cenotaph of Shah Jahan, Taj Mahal AgraDelhi c.l 820Pencil; 38 x 64.5 cmInscribed: Reduced tomb of the Emperor Shah Jahan to serve as a key to the foliageAL 8484 (1-2)

8) Two details of the screen enclosing the cenotaphs in the Taj Mahal, AgraDelhi or Agra c. 1820Watercolour; various sizes

i. Columns from the Taj Mahal, AgraInscribed on back: Taje MahaL Presented by Lady Strange86 x 40.5 cmAL757

ii. Detail of floral ornament in pietra dura work on the outer face of the screenenclosing the cenotaphs. Inscribed on back: Taje MahaL Presented by Ladj Strange28 x 54 cmAL 758

9) Eight drawings of the Taj Mahal, Agra and decorative details in the interiorDelhi or Agra, c. 1820

L The Taj Mahal viewed from across the river; six laden barges anchored beside thefar bank

..Watercoiour:181135 x 83 cmAL 9232 (G)

iL The Taj Mahal with tiled terrace and t\water tank in foreground53.5 x 70 cmAL 9232 (H)

iii. Interior of the tomb chamber, Taj Mahal. Inscribed in pencil: Interior of the TajDome.Watermark: 181355.5 x 69 cmAI,9232(I)

iv. Carved screen in tomb chamber, Taj Mahal, Agra. Inscribed in pencil: Railingaround tombs in the Taj54.5 x 75 cmAL 9232 ())


v. Marble relief panel with pietra dura border decoration. Inscribed on back in pencil:A panel or Compa*tmcnt as Specimen of the work on interior walls of the Taj.49 x 70 cmAI, 9232 (K)

vi. Cenotaph of Shah Jahan, Taj Mahal, Agra. Inscribed on front in pencil: Tomb ofShah Jehan in the Taj49 x 70 cmAL 9232 (L)

vii. Cenotaph of Mumtaz MahaL Inscribed on front in pencil: Tomb of Moomtaz MaulBegum.54.5 x 83.5 cmAL 9232 (M)

viiL Tops of the cenotaphs of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal, Agra. Inscribed on frontin pencil: Top or Low (?) of Mootntaz Maul Begum's tomb55.5 x 70 cmAL9232(O)

10) Six drawings of Mughal monuments at Agra and Fatehpur SikriDelhi or Agra, c. 1820

L General view of the Taj Mahal with mosque on the left and assembly hall on theright, Agra47 x 70.5 cmD 627-1889

11) Six drawings of the cenotaph of Mumtaz Mahal, Taj Mahal, Agra, and details of the pietradura workDelhi or Agra, c. 1820

i. Cenotaph of Mumtaz Mahal, Taj Mahal, Agra54 x 70 cmIS 16-1896

12) i'Ve drawings of details of pietra dura work on the cenotaph of Mumtaz Mahal, TajMahal, Agra

36 x 13 cm appro x!Sl6Ato I{-1896

13) Six drawings of Mughal monumentsDelhi c. 1820

i. Interior of the Taj Mahal, Agra22 x 18.5cmAL9248(6)


14) Nine small architectural drawings of Mughal monumentsDelhi or Agra, c.l 820

i. Interior of the Taj Mahal, Agra. Mounted on blue paperAL 760

ii. The Taj Mahal. Mounted on blue paperA]. 761

iii. The garden side of the Taj MahalAL 2223

iv. The Taj MahalAL 2224

v. The Taj Mahal with the river in die foregroundAL2225

15) A specimen of illuminated calligraphy and ten drawings of pietra dura work in the TajMahaL, AgraDelhi or Agra c.l820

i. A specimen of illuminated calligraphyInscribed in obscure English; at top: A Poem for Colonel DunburDy^.Comey.G.Cawnpore; at bottom: Kadurht<\ (?) Contr. Obdt.AL 9249 (1)

ii. Floral ornament in pietra dura workAL 9249 (2)

iii. Floral ornament on top of die cenotaph of Shah JahanAL 9249 (3)

iv. Cartouche widi floral ornament on top of die cenotaph of Shah JahanAL 9249 (4)

v. Floral ornament in pietra dura work widi inscription in cartoucheAL 9249 (5)

vi. Floral ornament in pietra dura work on die inside of die screen enclosing thecenotaphs of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz MahalAL 9249 (6)

vii. Floral ornament in pietra dura workAL 9249 (7)

viii. Moral ornament in pietra dura workAL 9249 (8)

ix. Floral ornament in pietra dura work on the outer face of the screen enclosing thecenotaphsAL9249(9)


x. Detail of the floral ornament in pietra dura work on the end panels of the cenotaphofShahJahanAL 9249 (10)

xi. Detail of floral ornament in pietra dura workAL 9249 (11)

16) Ten drawings of the Taj MahalDelhi or Agra c. 1820Watercolour

i. View of the Taj Mahal from the riverInscribed: Ritvrside of the To/D 1539-1886

ii. Garden side of the Taj; inscribed as aboveD 1540-1886

iii. Interior of the Taj Mahal. Inscribed: The Dome inside of/he To/D 1541-1886

*•

iv. The screen around the cenotaphs inside the Taj Mahal. Inscribed on front and back:One of the rooms inside the TajD 1542-1886

v. Cenotaph of Mumtaz Mahal Inscribed: The Tomb of Shahjekan'sfavourite wife Moomta^MahalD.I 543-1886

vi. Cenotaph of Shah Jahan. Inscribed: The tomb of ShahjehanD 1544-1886

vii. Top of the cenotaph of Mumtaz Mahal. Inscribed: Moomtaz Mahul's tabletD 1545-1886

viiL Top of the cenotaph of Shah Jahan. Inscribed: Shahjchan's tabletD 1546-1886

o

ix. Mosque of the Taj Mahal. Inscribed: Mosque of the TajD 1547-1886

x. Kntrance gateway to the Taj Mahal. Inscribed: Gateway of the TajD 1548-1886

17) Seven drawings of the interior of the Taj Mahal, Agra, and architectural detailsDelhi or Agra c. 1820-30

i. Ground plan of the Taj mausoleum


81.5x63 cmIS 247-1961

ii. Interior of the Taj Mahal74.5 x 46.5 cmIS 249-1961

iii. Detail of pietra dura work in the Taj Mahal33 x 39 cmIS 250-1961

iv. Inscription on the cenotaph of Mumtaz Mahal, Taj Mahal160 x 37.5 cmIS 251-1961

v. Elevation of the cenotaph of Mumtaz Mahal, Taj Mahal130x61 cmIS 252-1961

vi. Detail of pietra dura work in the Taj Mahal24 x 42 cmIS 253-1961

viL Detail of marble decoration in the Taj Mahal43 x 42 cmIS 254-1961

18) Six drawings of Mughal architecture at Agra and DelhiAgra or Delhi c 1825

i. The Taj Mahal, Agra.59 v 80 cmAL8141 (5)

ii. Interior of the Taj Mahal showing die screen around the cenotaphs of Shah Jahanand Mumtaz Mahal72 x 63.5 cmAL8141(6)

19) Fifteen drawings of Mughal buildings at Agra, Delhi and LucknowAgra or Delhi c. 1835Inscribed on original wrapper: 15 watcrcolour drawings by native artists of publicbuildings at Agra and Delhi

i. Cenotaph of Shah Jahan, Agra4644(2) (IS)

ii. The Taj Mahal seen from across the river4644 (3) (IS)


iii. Interior of the Taj Mahal, Agra4644 (12) (IS)

iv. The Taj Mahal from the garden side4644 (13) (IS)

20) Sixty drawings of Mughal monuments and architectural detailsDelhi c. 1836

i. The screen round die cenotaphs, Taj Mahal, Agra (built c. 1632-48)IM 5-1923

ii. The screen round the cenotaphs, Taj Mahal, AgraIM 6-1923

iii. The screen round the cenotaphs, Taj Mahal, AgraIM7-1923

iv. Cenotaph of Mumtaz MahalIMS-1923

v. Cenotaph of Shah Jahan, Taj Mahal, AgraIM 9-1923

vL Relief panel of white marble widi inlaid border of pietra dura work near die entranceof the Taj Mahal, AgraIM 10-1923

viL Detail of the floral ornament inlaid in pietra dura work on marble on me end panelsof the cenotaph of the Emperor Shah Jahan, Taj Mahal, AgraIM 1 i-1923

viiL Detail of the floral ornament inalid in pietra dura work on marble on die inside ofme screen enclosing the cenotaphs of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal in the TajMahalIM 12,,-1923

Ix. Detail of the floral ornament inalid in pietra dura work on marble on the outer faceof the screen enclosing the cenotaphs of Shah Jahan and Mumtax Mahal in the TajMahalIM 13-1923

x. Detail of the floral ornament inalid in pietra dura work on marble on the top of thecenotaph of Shah JahanIM 14-1923

Taj Mahal -An Annotated Bibliography 57

xi. Detail of the floral ornament inlaid in pietra dura work on marble on the outer faceof the screen enclosing the cenotaphs in the Taj Mahal, AgraIM 15-1923

xii. Detail of the floral ornament inlaid in pietra dura work on marble on the outer faceof the screen enclosing the cenotaphs in the Taj Mahal, AgraIM 16-1923

21) Delhi c. 1836-40Water colour; 11x18 cm; size of painted area;7.5 x 12 cm. Watermark 1830-6Inscribed with titles on back in English and on front in Persian characters

i. The Taj Mahal, Agra, from the garden side. Inscribed on back in pencil: Taj Mahal,Agra, from the Fountain-Garden, built 1632-48IM 19-1923

ii. The Taj Mahal, Agra, from the river Jumna, 1632-48. Inscribed as aboveIM 20-1923

22) Three drawings of the Taj Mahal, AgraDelhi or Agra artist, c. 1840.Inscribed : Scale 1 in = 20 ft.

L Elevation of the Taj Mahal; a European couple in early Victorian dress walking onthe upper terrace; in the foreground a group of Indian men and women; the river inthe background47 x 69 cm.IM 38-1919

ii. Elevation of the Taj Mahal47 x 69 cm.IM 39-1919

iii. Screen surrounding the cenotaphs of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal38.5 x 50 cmsIM 40-1919

23) Ten drawings of details of pietra dura ornamentation on the cenotaphs of Shah Jahan andhis wife Mumtax Mahal, at AgraAgra, c 1840.Water colour

i. Detail of the pietra dura work border round the base of the cenotaph of MumtaxMahal. Inscribed on front. A.63.5 x 50 cmAL 8484(3)


ii. Detail with inscriptions and pictra dura inlay work on the cenotaph of MumtazMahal, Taj Mahal. Inscribed on front in pencil: Tomb of Begum Mumta^Mahal. R.77 x 105 cmAh 8484(4)

iii. Detail of pictra dura inlay work and inscriptions on the end panel of the cenotaph ofShah Jahan, Taj Mahal. Inscribed on front in ink: Cenotaph of Shah Jahan, Taje Mahal,Agra, C.41 x 54.5 cmAL 8484(5)

iv. Inlay work on the cenotaph of Shah Jahan. Inscribed on front in pencil: Tomb ofShah]ehan. D.72.5 x 105 cmAL 8484(6)

v. Inlay work on the cenotaph of Shah Jahan. Inscribed on front in pencil: Tomb ofShahjehan. E.56.5 x 79 cm

'AL 8484(7)

vi. Detail of pietra dura inlay work on the cenotaph of Shah Jahan. Inscribed on frontin pencil: Tomb of Shah Jehan. F.35 x 52 cmAL 8484(8)

vii. Panel from the cenotaph of Shah Jahan, Inscribed on front in pencil: Tomb of ShahJehan. G.53.5 x 36 cmAL 8484(9)

viii. Flowers in pietra dura work on the cenotaph of Shah Jahan. Inscribed on front inpencil: Tomb of Shah jehan. H.54 x 74 cmAL 8484(10)

24) ITiree drawings of pietra dura work at the Taj Mahal, Agra and the Diwan —i-Am DelhiDelhi c. 1850.

i. Sixteen details mounted on one sheet showing pictra dura work at the Taj Mahal,AgraDelhi or Agra c. 1850.Various sixes varying from 10 x 18 cm to 15 x 7.5 cm291-1871


Drawings and prints at the Taj Museum:1) General view of the Taj Mahal and adjacent buildings from the river side.2) Site plan of the Taj Mahal are showing the front elevation of the Taj, other buildings of the

complex and the vicinity as also the names of the buildings, localities (mohallas, beds(takhtas) of the gardens, and of the fruit grown therein etc.

3) Paining showing cenotaph of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal4) Painting depicting a view of the Taj from the south west.5) Coloured line drawing depicting general views of the buildings adjacent to the Taj from the

river side.6) Painting showing the view of the main entrance gate of the Taj.

Miscellaneous:View of the Taj Mahal from Agra FortEngland c. 1865Albumen print - 9 3/8 x 11 Vz in.Los Angeles County Museum of Art

Panoramic View of the Taj MahalBy John MurrayEngland. C 1860Albumen Print12 x 49 5/8 in.Paul F. Walter collection

Schematic Plan of the grounds of the Taj MahalAgra c. 1805 (2 watermarks - 1799,1800)Opaque watercolour on paper27 5/8x16 1/8 in.Paul F. Walter

Schematic plan of the Grounds of the Taj MahalAgrac. 1900Opaque watercolour on cloth1101/4x33 7/16 in.Museum fur Indische Kunst, Staatiiche Museem Preussischer Kulturbesitz, Berlin

The Gateway of the Taj Mahal „India, c. 1820Opaque watercolour on paper21 '/= x 27 in.Paul F. Walter

The Taj Mahal from the riverIndia c. 1818Opaque watercolour on paper11 3 /4X 18 15/16 in.Yale Centre for British Arts, New Haven, Paul Mellon collection


Interior view of the Taj MahalIndia c. 1820Opaque watcrcolour on paper23 x 17 in.Gary Crawford

Three panels from the Cenotaph Screen in the Taj MahalShaikh LatifAgrac. 1820Opaque watercolour on paper14 1 /8x5% in. eachLois A. Ehrenfeld

Mower from the CenotaphShaikh LatifAgrac. 1820Opaque watercolour on paper14 58 x 25 7/8The Ehrenfeld Collection

Panel with sculpted flowers from the Interior Dado of the Taj MahalFrom an album prepared for Robert HomeAgra c. 1820Opaque watercolour on paper103/4x22y2 in.Gloria Kate and Wilard Huyck


The drawings available with the AS I have been recorded under two categories — the first are thedrawings used for conservation works. Some of these include tracings from earlier drawings. Thesecond are die old drawings themselves.

Serial Description Material Scale Yearno.

1. Taj Mahal- Sketch plan of Taj Mahal Tracing Not to scale 1932Fourcourt alongwith katras of Taj Ganj cartridge

paper2. Sketch plan of katras of Taj Ganj Tracing cloth 1"-30' 19243. Design of ladder for Taj Mahal -do- Vzsize 19404. Part plan of layout of Shruberries at Taj -do- 1"-10' 1924

Mahal5. Record plan of Conservation of the old -do- 1"-20' 1923

Mughal aqueduct outside the Taj Garden6. South East chattri round the main dome -do- Diff scale 1943

of Taj Mahal showing certain details7. Engine house, Taj, details of doors and -do- I"-!' 1920

windows8. Taj Mosque — elevation bulged portions of -do- 1"-!' 1925

Taj mosque showing stones to benumbered for dismantling and resetting

9. Drawing of the Guldasta or Pilaster at -do- l"-2' 1957South West corner of mausoleum afterdismantling side stores

10. Site plan of the Taj Mahal -do- • l"-64'11. Site Plan of the Taj Mahal -do- l"-64'12. Plan of house of Alamgir Khan adjoining -do- l"-8' 1941

Sidi Darwaza, Taj Ganj13. Plan of house of Alamgir Khan and Insha -do- l"-8' 1942

Allah adjoining Siddi Darwaza Taj Ganj14. Plan of house no.2 of Waheeduddin Khan l"-8' 1934

Mohammad, Siddi Darwaza, Taj Ganj15. Plan of Kothries (kunj) Katra Phulel Taj l"-8' 1943

Ganj16. Plan of Taj Quadrangle at Agra in the Agra l"-25' „ 1904

Distt.17. Plan, section and elevation of the South l"-4' 1973

West comer chattri at the Taj Mahal, Agra18. Plan of Katra at Taj Ganj, Agra 1 "-60'19. Plan of retaining wall of Khan-I-Alam 1 "-50'

Bagh20. Sketch plan of Four Court of Taj showing Tracing paper Not to scale

existing levels21. Proposed pitching at the North Fast tower Tracing cloth 1"-16'and 1934

of the Taj Mahal and its adjoining Fast !"-4'wall


22. Site plan showing land to be acquired tothe Hast of Taj Mahal

23. Plan showing the proposed retaining walland pitching along the east wall of the TajMahal

24. Typical plan and section of 50' long spire25. Retaining wall of Khan-i-Alam Bagh, Agra26. Plan and elevation of Kast Dalan showing

cracks in the compartments27. Design of ladder for Taj Mahal, Agra28. Proposed marble railing round the stair

well to the crypt chamber of the Taj Mahal29. Sketch of railing at Saheli Burj, Taj Mahal,

Agra30. Plan and elevation of Lamp post at Taj

Courtyard31. Plan of Kothries in Katra Umar Khan

proposed to be acquired, Taj Ganj32. Plan o f gateway o f Katra J ogidas in ' L'aj

Ganj Agra showing encroachments33. Genealogical table of the families of

Khadims no. 1,2,3,13,14 and 16 workingthis day 22nd August 1944 at Taj Mahal

34. North wall of Taj Mahal showing earthaccumulated against it

35. Survey Plan of existing trees in TajFourcourt

36. Suggested layout of the Taj Forecourt37. Proposed layout of Taj Four Court

revised scheme embodying suggestions ofthe Director General ArchaeologicalSurvey of India

38. Plan of Tin shed in Gaushala at Taj Mahalshowing iron spikes and gate to serve asworkshop

39. Design of an engine shed at the Taj40. Proposed wooden door in opening of stair

case on either side of Siddhi Darwaza41. Proposed wooden doors in opening of

Staircase leading to tomb of SarhindiBegum and Sattunisa Khanam at TajMahal

42. Showcase for Taj Museum43. Design of marble seat at Taj Mahal44. Design of show case to be supplied for

45.

l"-24' 1936

l"-24' 1936

Tracing paper Not to scaleTracing cloth 1"-5(V 1916Tracing cloth 1 "-8' & 1"- 1940

4'Tracing cloth l"-2'Tracing cloth Not to scale 1930

Tracing cloth Not to scale 1930

Tracing cloth "

Tracing cloth l"-8' 1930


Tracing cloth

Tracing cloth 1 "-8' & 1"- 19364'


Tracing cloth l"-3f 1917Tracing cloth l"-32'

Tracing cloth I'M* 1954

Tracing cloth l"-4' 1920Tracing cloth I'M' 1932

Tracing cloth I'M' 1932

Tracing cloth I 'M' 1929Not to scale

-do- I'M-'museumProposed shisam wood doors for the

entrance to the rooms on the east and westsides of the Buland Darwa/a

-clo- 1929


46.47.

48.49.50.51.

52.

53,

54.55.

56.57.58.

59.

60.

61.

62.

63.

64.65.

66.

67.

68.69.

70.

71.

72.

73.

Mughal scats of stone at the Taj MahalDetail of stepped fall for Hagh Khan-I-AlamDesign of a door for Taj minarsDesign of a wooden gate for Khan-I-AlamG round plan of the mausoleum, Taj MahalPlan of North west tower of the Tajshowing arrangements of boxes forpitchingPart plan of Taj Mahal showing stair wellto crypt chamberDetail section of the dome of South westChattri at die Taj MahalDetail section of chattriThe South west comer chattri at the TajMahal (interior elevation)Detail elevation of Taj DomeSite plan of Taj FourcourtPlan and section of the drain pavementriverside wall of the Taj MahalPlan section and elevation of dalan in theforecourt of the Taj Mahal flanking southeast of Fatehpuri GatePlan and elevation of booking office at TajMahalDetail of R.GC. slab lavatory block at TajMahalProposed R.CC tank 2000 gallons capacitynear Khan-I-Alam gateFoundation of the Taj Mahal on river sidenear the North west towerFoundation of the Taj Mahal on river sideProposed plan of lavatory block at TajMahalConstruction of overhead tank in Northeast corner of Kali MasjidPlan of raising sunken areas in front ofMchman Khana at TajPlan of dalan showing stallsPlan of the stalls and the corridor at theSouthwest corner of the forecourt of TajMahalBoulder pitching at the northwest tower ofTaj Mahal towards riversidePlan, section and elevation of the outergate of Khan-1-AlamSite plan of Taj Forecourt showingexpansion jointsSite plan of southeast Tower at Taj Mahal

-do--do-

-do--do--do--do-

-do-

-do-

-do--do-

-do--do--do-

-do-

-do-

-do-

-do-

-do-

-do--do-

-do-

-do-

-do--do-

-do-

-do-

-do-

-do-

12'-6"r-4'

r-rl"-2'Not to scalel"-8'

l"-4'

r-2'

r-4*

r-4'1"-40'r-81

r-8'

r-4'

r-4'

r-4'

l"-4*r-4'

3/8 "-r

I'M 2'

r-8'r-8'

r-24"

r-4*

r-so"

r-8'

1916

193419421939

1930

1923

1923

19261958

1961

1958

1958

1962

1962

1957

1958

1968

Taj Mahal - An Annotated Bibliography 64

74.75.

76.

77.

78.

79.

80.

81.

82.

83.

84.85.

86.

87.

88.

89.

90.

91.

92.

93.

94.95.96.

showing proper lavatory blockDetail of septic tank at Taj MahalPlan and section of the river side wall ofKhan-1-Alam showing repairsPlan, section and elevation of spur at TajriversidePlan and section of booking office at TajMahalPlan showing the creation of proposedspurs near the Taj MahalSite plan of Taj Mahal forecourt showingstone edging drainDetail of pillars bracket of the dalan in theforecourt of Taj Mahal flanking south eastof Fatehpuri gatePlan of northwest tower of Taj Mahalshowing cracks nnd grouting pointsMarble brackets under the balustrade ofthe minars of the Taj MahalDesign of wooden gate in the entrancegate to the Taj forecourtDesign of Mughal pattern doorAdditions and alterations to the dalans inthe Gaushala at Taj MahalElevations of Southwest tower of TajMahalProposed Mughal pattern doors in an archopening near office on east side of TajMahalDetail of the bulged and leaned wall andprovision of emergency gate for use duringSharad Pumima on the eastern side of themain gate of the Taj MahalSection of the entrance gate of the TajMahalRemodeling of lavatory block afterdismantling the existing lavatory block atTaj Mahal, Agra "

Remodeling of lavatory block afterdismantling the existing lavatory block atTaj Mahal, AgraPlan of tomb of Sirhindi Begum (Southeast Sahcli Burj)Klcvation of entrance gate (North Pishtak),Taj MahalBasement floor plan of Taj MahalSite Plan of Taj MahalSketch plan showing chajja stone of

-do- l"-2' 1960-do- -do- 1966

-do- l"-2()'

-do- l"-4'

-do-

-do- 1"-50' 1962

-do- I'M*

-do- l"-8' 1960

-do- l"-6' 1957

-do- '/-"-I' 1962

-do- Not to scale 1963-do- l"-8' 1954

-do- Not to scale

-do- I'M' 1970

-do- 1"- 4'

-do- 1 "- 4'

-do- 1"-4' 1973

-do- l"-4' 1973

-do- 1"-8'

-do- l"-5'

-do- l"-8' 1974-do- l"-64' 1974-do- Not to scale 1975


gaushala at Taj Mahal97. Proposed teak wood railing for upper

chamber of Taj Mahal98. Proposed replacement of pipe lines for

fountains at Taj Mahal99. Plan and section of channels of Taj Mahal

showing details of original system offountains recently discovered

100. Plan of the Taj Mahal showingreplacement of marble tiles of the terrace

101. Elevation of Taj Mahal102. Section o f Taj Mahal103. Plan of Taj Mahal104 Remodeling of lavatory block after

dismantling the existing lavatory block atTaj Mahal

105. Plan, proposed resetting and replacingstones in the symmetrical pattern aroundCypress trees along the channel

106. Specimens of inlay work on the outerfacade of mausoleum at Taj Mahal

107. Specimens of inlay work on the outerfacade of mausoleum at Taj Mahal

108. Plan of Nahabat Khana, Taj Mahal,Ground floor, first floor and roof

109. Design of Mughal pattern doors and jalifor proposed museum in West NahabatKhana at Taj Mahal

110. Elevation of the pavilion on the west sideof the Taj

111. Elevation of the eastern compound wall ofTaj Mahal

112. Ornamental design of main door shutterfor Taj museum

113. Proposed wooden railing for pinnacleinlaid in front of Mehman Khana at TajMahal

114. Elevation of Taj mosque sketch showingmosque with northern chhatri and baoli onthe south

115. Ground plan and section of Taj mosque atTaj Mahal

116. Ground plan and section of Taj Mahal

117. Ground plan of Sattunisa Khanam's tomb(South West Sahcli Burj)

118. Elevation of Sattunisa Khanam's tomb at

-do-

-do-

-do-

-do-

-do--do--do--do-

-do-

-do-

-do-

-do-

-do-

-do-

-do-

-do-

-do-

"-do-

'-8'&2"- 19751'1"-30' 1975

t"-30' 1975

l"-8' 1953

l"-8' 1953l"-8' 1953l"-8' 1953

1"-30'

Not to scale

Not to scale 1975

1"-!' 1976

1977

Not to scale

Not to scale

1cm = 20 *&2cm =1m

1978

-do-

-do-

-do-

-do-

l"-8'orlcm =9 cml"-8'orlcm = 96cmr-8'or1cm - 96cml"-8'or-l

1978

1978

1978

1978


119.

120.

121.

122.

123.

124.

125.

126.

127.

128.

129.

130.131.

132.133.134.

135.

136.

137.

138.

139.

140.

141.

142.

143.

Taj Mahal

Proposed folding steel stair case for TajMahalPlan of Fatchpuri Masjid first floor TajMahalPlan of Taj nursery (south west corner ofTaj enclosure) showing chajja storeGround plan of entrance gate with detailof panel and ornamentationDrawing of stairs for marble terrace(mausoleum) Taj Mahal, AgraGround floor plan of entrance gate of TajMahal

First floor plan of entrance gate of TajMahalRoof floor plan of entrance gate of TajMahalLine plan showing reduced levels ofbenchmarks by Survey of IndiaFirst floor plans showing walls out ofplumbSecond floor plans showing walls out ofplumbSection of Taj mausoleum showing levelsShowing diagrammatic sketch of outersurface of main domeSection of main domeStress diagrams of main domePlan and section of South west Burji of TajenclosurePlan and section of second lavatory blockat Southwest corner burji of Taj MahalTemporary urinals at Taj Mahal

*

Detailed section of the dome of the southwest chattri of the Taj MahalSketch plan and section of Taj Mahalshowing leakage noticedPlan of Khan-I-Alam nursery showingtankFlag stone flooring in front of mainentrance gate of Taj Mahal1 ''lower decoration of upper storey aroundthe chamber of Taj MahalCross section of the pavilion on the westside of the Taj MahalSection of the entrance gate of the TajMahal

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-do--do-

-do--do--do-

-do-

-do-

-do-

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cm = 96cm1:30

I cm = 1m

lcm=2m

1 cm = 96cmor l"-8"2cm— 1m

I "-8'

I "-8'

l"-8'

l"-32'

l"-8'

l"-8'

l"-8'l"-4'

l"-4'

lcm=lmt

lcm=50cm

1 cm = 50cml"-2'

Not to scale

Not to scale

Icm^lmt

l"-8'

l"-8'

1979

1979

1979

1979

1980

1982

1982

1982

1983

1983

1983

1983

1983


144. West elevation of the entrance gate of theTaj Mahal

145. South elevation of the entrance gate of TajMahal

146. First floor plan of Taj Mahal showingplumbing of walls

147. Second floor plan showing intensitiespressure at second floor

148. Second floor plan of Taj Mahal showingplumbing of walls

149. Diagrammatic sketch of outer surface ofouter surface of main dome of Taj MahalNorthwest quarter

150. Diagrammatic sketch of outer surface ofouter surface of main dome of Taj MahalNortheast quarter

151. Diagrammatic sketch of outer surface ofouter surface of main dome of Taj MahalSoutheast quarter

152. Drawing of Saheli Burj near Kali Masjideast of Taj Mahal

153. Drawing of proposed toilet block nearmuseum at Taj Mahal

154. Ground floor plan of Fatehpuri mosquenear Taj Mahal

155. Ground floor plan of Taj Mahal ( mainbuilding)

156. Roo f floor plan o f Taj Mahal157. First floor plan showing developed cracks

upto 12-12-1984158. Second floor plan showing developed

cracks upto 12-12-1984159. Inner elevation o f enclosure wall o f Ta j

Mahal160. Plan of south east chattri at Taj Mahal161. Ground plan of Taj Mahal showing drains162. Plan of Taj garden163. Plan and section of east Naubat Khana of

Taj Mahal164. FJevation of real grave of Shahjahan at Taj

Mahal165. Side elevation of grave of Mumtaz Mahal

upper storey166. Side elevation of the grave of Shahjahan

upper storey167. Section of the tomb of Sarhindi Begum at

Taj Mahal (Saheli Burj)168. Section of the Baoli at Taj Mahal169. Plan, section and elevation of a chattri of

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-do- lcm= Imt 1985

Tracing paper lcm= 50 1985cm

Tracing cloth 1 cm= 1 m

-do- 1"-10'

-do- 1"-10'-do- l"-8' 1984

-do- l"-8' 1984

Tracing paper Not to scale 1986

Tracing cloth l"-8'. 1987-do- 1"-20' 1987-do- 1"-100' 1987-do- l"-8' 1987

-do- l"-3' 1987

-do- l"-3' 1987

-do- l"-3' 1987

-do- l"-8' 1987

-do- l"-8' 1987-do- l"-2' 1987


Jama-at-Khan at Taj Mahal170. Pastern side enclosure wall of Taj Mahal -do-171. Hoof terrace plan of dalans of forecourt of -do-

Taj Mahal172. Drawing of Saheli Burj west side of Taj -do-

enclosure173. Drawing o f Saheli Burj railing o f Taj -do-

Mahal174. Plan of Taj forecourt with Saheli Burj and

adjoining katras (Tasi-makan)175. Top of upper bracket, red sandstone

bracket of the Taj pavilion176. Real grave of Mumtaz Mahal177. Chamber of graves178. Proposed drawing for pigeon rack179. Plan, elevation of inner side jali180. Plan, elevation of outer side jali181. Plan, elevation of inner side jali (arch

opening)182. Proposed door shutter to be fixed at steps

leading to marble terrace183. Detail of wooden gate eastern side near

bab block of Taj Mahal184. Ground floor plan Mehman Khana Tracing film185. Eastern inner side enclosure wall from Tracing film

Mehman Khana to Naubat Khana andNaubat Khana to east inner side gate. Plan, .elevation and section.

AG 108 Plan and elevation of riverside boundarywall of Mahtab Bagh at Kachpura

AG165 Plan of Mahtab Bagh

lcm=lmt 1987Not to scale 1986

lcm=2mts 1989

Tracing paper 60'-1" 1992

Tracing paper 6"-l' 1992

Tracing paper 6"-!' 2001

lcm=5cm 1994lcm=50cm 1995lcm=50cm 1995lcm=50cm

Not to scale

Tracing film 1:20 mts 1994

1:200 &1:500

lcm=3m & 1980Ivm = 1mScale notknown

LIST OF OLD DRAWINGS

Serial Subjectno.

T.I Site Plan of Taj Mahal

T.2 Section of the entrance Gate of TajMahal

T.3 West Elevation of the Kntrance Gate of -do-Taj Mahal

T.4 Section of the Entrance Gate of Taj -de-Mahal

T.5 Roof fkx>r plan of the Kntrance Gate of -do-Taj Mahal

T.6 Klevation of the Kntrance Gate of Taj -do-M-Uial

Drawingsheet-do-


T.7 First floor plan of the Entrance Gate of -do-Taj Mahal

T.8 Plan of the En trance Gate of Taj Mahal -do-T.9 Ground Plan of Taj Mahal (main -do-

building)T.10 Roof floor plan of Taj Mahal (main -do-

building)T.I 1 Cross Section of pavilion on the western -do-

side of Taj garden West elevation of thepavilion on the western side of TajGarden, Agra

T.12 Plan of the pavilion (2nd & 3rf Story) on -do-the Western Side of Taj Garden

T.I3 Elevation of the pavilion on the western -do-side of Taj garden, Agra

T.I 4 Plan of Taj Garden, Taj Mahal -do-T.15 Ground plan showing drains of Taj -do-T.16 Red sandstone brackets of the pavilion -do-T.17 Plan, elevation and section of a chattri at -do-

Jamat Khana, Taj Mahal, AgraT.18 Plan (1st and roof floor)of East Naubat -do-

Khana, Taj MahalT.I 9 Plan of South East chattri at Taj Mahal -do-T.20 Plan of chamber on the South of Saheli -do-

Burj no.lT.21 Ground floor plan of East Naubat -do-

Khana, Taj MahalT.22 Section of East Naubat Khana, Taj -do-

MahalT.24 Section of Taj mosque at Taj Mahal -do-T.25 Section of Baoli, Taj Mahal, Agra -do-T.26 Plan of Tomb of Sarhindi Begum, Taj -do-

MahalT.27 Section of the Tomb of Sarhindi Begum -do-

at the Taj Mahal, AgraT.28 Plan of Basement floor of Taj Mahal -do-T.29 Side Elevation of grave of Mumtaz -do-

MahalT.30 Real grave of Shah Jahan (elevation) -do-T.31 Real grave of Mumtaz Mahal(Elevation) -do-T.32 Chamber of graves at Taj Mahal -do-T.33 Side Elevation of grave of Shah Jahan -do-

(upper story grave)T.34 Flower decoration of upper story around -do-

thc chamberT.35 Top of grave decoration -do-T.36 South side detail of upper story grave of -do-

Shah JahanT.37 Top grave of Shah Jahan upper story -do-


T.38T.39

T.40T.41T.42T.43

T.44T.45

T.46T.47T.48T.49T.50T.51T.52T.53

T.54T.55T.56

T.57

T.58

T.59

T.60

T.61

114

T.I 02T.I 01T.I 03

Top work of grave upper storyTop work of platform of the grave ofMumtaz Mahal, upper storyFirst floor plan of Taj MahalSecond floor plan of Taj MahalGround floor plan of Taj MahalGround floor plan of Tasbih Khana(Mahaman Khana)Ground floor plan of Taj MosqueGround floor plan of Entrance Gate TajMahalPlan of Taj garden Plot no.2Drawing of upper dome of Taj MahalStand for photograph, Taj MuseumDrawing of fountains at Taj MahalRailing of Saheli Burj at Taj MRailing of Saheli Burj at Taj MahalTaj Gardens showing flowerbedsSketch of railing at Saheli Burj at TajMahalKotri of South dalan of Saheli Burj no.lKotri of South dalan of Saheli Burj no.lChamber on the South of Saheli Burjno.lChamber on the south of Saheli Burjno.l ElevationChamber on the south of Saheli Burjno.l ElevationChamber on the South of Saheli Burjno.l ElevationChamber on the South of Saheli Burjno.lSketch of Lord Curzon's lamp at TajMahalElevation of Taj Mosque

Section of Taj MahalElevation of Taj MahalPlan of Taj MahalSection of Taj MahalElevation of Taj MahalGround Plan of Taj Mahal

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Tracingcloth-do--do--do--do--do--do-

1 a) iviauai — /YU /xrnioiatcu

LIST OF OLD PHOTOGRAPHS/ 3 NEGATIVES AVAILABLE WITH THEARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA

Number Size Sub Section826 10"x 8" Tasbih Khana or Jawab. General view showing the

defaced pieces of carved band round the centralpropylon; from north west

827. -do- Detail of defaced portions of inlaid work undercornice round the southern dome; from north west

953. -do- Jawab. Front view showing new work in propylon;from north west

956. -do- Compound wall. Detail of marble inlay work of thebattlements of the garden wall, after restoration; fromnorth east

958. -do- Tomb. Quadrangle in front of Taj gate. General viewof Sirhi Darwaza from north west

960, -do- Saheli Burj no.2 General view from south west961. -do- Saheli Burj no. 2 General view from north west963. -do- Saheli Burj no.3. General view after restoration; from

south west964. -do- Saheli Burj no.l. General view after restoration of

missing balustrades etc.; from north east966. -do- Saheli Burj no.4. General view from south east969. -do- Saheli Burj no. 4; General view from south970. -do- Fatehpuri Masjid. General view from east971. -do- -do-1681. -do- Fatehpuri Masjid. Central tank, showing new marble

seats. South west

1733. 8 V2" x 6 V2" Hand lamp1910. 12" x 10" View of hanging lamp. South west2006. 8 Viz" x 6 Viz" General view of new fountains2008. 12" x 10" Taj Garden. General view South2009 10" x 8" Taj Garden. General view of the main channel. South2010. -do- Taj Garden. Showing tank. South East2537. ' 8 l/2" x 6 Vz" The Taj. View of old improvised standard lamp2598. 12" x 10" General view of new brass standard lamp2600. 8 '/." x 6 y2" Standard lamp. South west2838 -do- Carved floral panels2839 -do- -do-2840. -do- -do-2841. -do- -do-2842. -do- -do-2843. -do- -do-2847. -do- General view of parterres. South east.2848. -do- General view of parterres. South west

The list has been sourced from the catalogue of photographs kept at the ASI Some of the prints as well asnegatives however may be in a damaged condition and this will need to be verified at the photography section atAgra.


2849. -do- General view of the Tajganj village wall, with gate.North

3044. 8 Vz" x 6 Viz" Mughal aqueduct west of Taj. Kast3045. -do- Mughal aqueduct west of Taj. East3046. -do- Mughal aqueduct west of Taj. Kast3165. -do- Cypress trees planted in place of palms along the main

causeway running east and west from the central tank.East.

3181 -do- Cypress trees in parterre. General view. South west3284 5" x 4" View down central causeway, after thinning of trees

(September, 1913) South3285 -do- -do-3286 -do- West causeway showing new cypress trees, East3287 -do- Taj garden, south gate. North3372 -do- The Taj. North riverfront showing accumulated debris

to be removed. West.3373 -do- -do-3374 4 %" x 3 %" -do-3391 81/2"x61/2" View of Taj Gardens3392 -do- -do-3393 -do- -do-3394 -do- View of Jawab of mosque from centre of platform

inside south gate3396 12" x 10" View of northern half of garden, east side from top of

west minaret3397 -do- View of northern half of garden, west side from top of

east minaret3398 -do- East half of Taj garden, from top of west minaret3399 -do- West half of Taj garden from east minaret3439 -do- View of large hanging lamp in Taj gateway. North east3512 8 V? x 6 Vz" Decoration on the band of dome. Detail view. East3537 6V2"x43/4" General view of T,aj and garden. South3563 12" x 10" Taj garden after opening up vista towards Jawab.

South3564 -do- Taj garden after opening up vista towards mosque.

South3565 -do- Taj and mosque. View now obtainable from the new

road opened up to the west of Taj in the MacdonaldPark. West.

974 10" x 8" Mahtab Burj. General view after restoration, fromsouth-cast

3889 Full The Taj. General view3890 Full 'line Taj. General view3891 Full The Taj. General view showing the mosque and the

Taj from the road in Macdonald Park4062 Full The Taj. Enlarged copy of bird's eye view taken from

aeroplane4505 (a) 12' x 10" The Taj. Copy of a photograph of the Taj in 1868.

Front view, showing clustering trees and crude


benches on central tank.

4505 (b) 12' x 10" The Taj. Copy of a photograph of the Taj in 1868.Front view, showing clustering trees and crudebenches on central tank.

4505 (c) 12' x 10" The Taj. Copy of a photograph of the Taj in 1868.Front view, showing clustering trees and crudebenches on central tank.

4659 Full The Taj. General view, showing bankati working onthe dome

5748 Full The Taj. General view through the arches of mainentrance

4709 Full The Taj. General view showing the J umna rivertouching its wall during flood

4710 Full The Taj. Another view showing the Jumna rivertouching its wall during flood

4711 Full The Taj. Another view showing Jumna river touchingits wall during flood

1681 10" x 8" The Taj. Central tank. General view showing newmarble seats. South west

2010 10" x 8" The Taj. Central tank. General view. South east956 10" x 8" The Taj. Compound wall. Detail of marble inlay work

of battlements of the garden wall, after restoration.North east.

4056 Full The Taj. South wall looking towards west. Generalview, before conservation

4057 Full The Taj. South wall looking towards east. Generalview, before conservation

4518 Full The Taj. Corner chhatri (south west). General viewsouth

4519 Full Corner Chatri (Southwest) General view. East4534 12" x 10" Comer chatri (south,west). View showing stones

numbered on the exterior of the dome. North4535 12" x 10" Comer chatri (south west). View showing stones

numbered on the exterior of the dome. North east4536 -do- Comer chatri (south west). View showing stones

numbered on the exterior of the dome. South west4537 -do- Comer chatri (south west). View showing stones

numbered on the exterior of the dome. South east4538 Quarter Corner chatri (south west). View showing stones

numbered in the interior of the dome.4539 -do- Corner chatri (south west). View showing stones

numbered in the interior of the dome.4540 -dO- Comer chatri (south west). View showing stones



numbered in the interior of the dome.


4542(a)

4543

4544

4545

4565

4658

38885282

5283

9709715884588558865887

5888

5889

422442294388

4712

477338934810

3044304530463372

3373

3374

964

-do-

-do-

-do-

-do-

Full

-do-

-do--do-

-do-

10" x 8"70" x 8"FullFull-do-12" x 10"12" x 10"

-do-

-do-

FuU-do-Full

-do-

-do-Full-do-

-do--do--do-5" x 4"

-do-

Quartcr

10" x 8"

Corner chatri (south west). View showing stonesnumbered in the interior of the dome.Comer chatri (south west). View showing stonesnumbered in the interior of the dome.Corner chatri (south west). View showing stonesnumbered in the interior of the dome.Corner chatri (south west). View showing stonesnumbered in the interior of the dome.Comer chatri (Southwest). General view afterconservationComer chatri (Southwest). General view afterconservationEntrance gate. General view from the chabutra.View of west entrance gate showing shops on eitherside. North west.View of west entrance gate showing shops on eitherside. WestFatehpuri Masjid. Genera! view. East.Fatehpuri Masjid. Genera! view. EastFathpuri Masjid. Detail view of a column. North east.Fathpuri Masjid. General view of mihrab. East.Fathpuri Masjid. General view of central arch. East.Fathpuri Masjid. View of central arch. EastFathpuri Masjid. General view of central dome. SoutheastSaheli Burj on the north of Fathpuri Masjid. Generalview. South west.Saheli Burj on the north of Fathpuri Masjid. Generalview. South westForecourt dalans. General view, after conservationForecourt dalans. General view after reconstructionForecourt dalans to east of Sirhi Darwaza. Generalview after reconstructionKhan-I-Alam ka Bagh during flood. General viewshowing the Jumna side wall fallen downNorth west minar. View of chatri after repairs to fmialMosque. General viewMosque. View showing i.h£ south west corner bulgingout.Mughal aqueduct west of'Taj. General view. East.Mughal aqueduct west ot Taj. General view. East.Mughal aqueduct west of Taj. General view. East.Riverfront (North) showing accumulated debris to beremoved. North West.Riverfront (North) showing accumulated debris to beremoved. West.Riverfront (North) showing accumulated debris to beremoved. North West.Saheli burj no.l General view after restoration of .


missing balustrades etc. North east960 10" x 8" SaheH Burj No. 2 General view. South west.961 Saheli Burj No. 2. General view . North west.963 10" x 8" Saheli Burj No. 3. General view, after conservation.

South west965 -do- Saheli Burj No. 4. General view. South east969 -do- Saheli Burj No. 4. General view. South.3892 Full Screen round the cenotaph958 16'x8" Sirhi Darwaza. General view. South6116 Full Sirhi Darwaza. View of eastern Jamb, before

conservation5513 Full View of staircase leading to the crypt chamber. South5514 Full View of staircase leading to the crypt chamber. North826 10" x 8" Tasbih Khana or Jawab. General view showing

defaced pieces of carved band round the centralpropylon. North west

827 -do- Tasbih khana or Jawab. Detail of defaced portions ofinlaid work under cornice round the southern dome.North west

953 -do- Tasbih khana or Jawab. Front view showing propylon.North west

3394 Full Tasbih Khana or Jawab. General view from centre ofplatform inside south gate.

2838 -do- View of carved floral panels2840 Full View of carved floral panels2841 -do- View of carved floral panels2842 -do- View of carved floral panels2843 -do- View of carved floral panels4504 -do- View of carved floral panels3512 -do- Decoration on the band of dome. Detail view. East4635 -do- Carved dado panel at the entrance to tomb chamber.

Detail view.4636 -do- Carved dado panel at the entrance to tomb chamber.



Detail view.4566(a) -do- View of Indian appliance of hoisting stones4566(b) -do- View of Indian appliance of hoisting stones2006 -do- General view of new fountains. East.3748 -do- Stone seat of early Mughal design. Photo of a clay

model1733 -do- View of hand lamp1910 12" x 10" View of hanging lamp. South West.3439 -do- View of large hanging lamp in Taj gateway. North east2537 Full View of old improvised standard lamp2598 12" x 10" General view of new brass standard lamp2600 Full General view of standard lamp. South west.


5828 12" x 10" dopy °f a drawing showing the section5829 -do- South east chhatri. dopy of a ground floor plan, roof

plan and first floor plan5830 -do- dopy of a second floor plan5831 -do- dopy of a roof floor plan5832 -do- Entrance Gate, dopy of the first floor plan5835 -do- Entrance Gate, dopy of the roof plan5833 -do- East Naubat Khana. dopy of the first floor plan and

roof floor plan.5834 -do- East Naubat Khana. dopy of the ground floor plan.5969 -do- dopy of a drawing of Entrance Gate. Ground plan.5970 -do- dopy of a drawing of Entrance Gate. Section5971 -do- dopy of a drawing of basement floor plan5972 -do- dopy of a drawing of ground floor plan5973 -do- dopy of a drawing of first floor plan5974 -do- dopy of a drawing of the Jawab5975 -do- dopy of a drawing of site plan2008 -do- The Taj Garden. General view. South.2847 Full The Taj Gardens. General view of parterres. South

east2848 Full Taj Garden. General view of parterres. South West1868 Full Taj Garden. Front view showing clustering trees and

crude benches on central tank4387 Full Taj Garden. General view showing main causeway

running north and south from central tank beforetrimming of cypress trees.

4440 -do- Taj Garden. General view showing main causewayrunning north and south from central tank, aftertrimming of cypress trees.

4726 -do- Taj Garden. View of shrubbery near south west cornerof die central tank. South east.

4727 « -do- Taj Garden. View of shrubbery near north west comerof the central tank. South east.

4729 -do- Taj Garden. View of shrubbery near south west cornerof the central tank. South west

4728 -do- Taj Garden .View of shrubbery ion north side of thecauseway running from the main gate to the west.South east.

3286 5" x 4" Taj Garden .West causeway. View showing newcypress trees. East.

3287 5" x 4" Taj Garden . South gate. General view. North

3165 Full Taj garden . View of cypress trees planted in place ofpalms along the main causeway running cast and westfrom central tank. East.

3181 F'ull Taj Garden, dyprcss trees in parterres. General view.South-west

3284 5" x 4" Taj Garden. View down central causeway afterthinning of trees (September, 1913). South


3285 -do- Taj Garden. View down central causeway afterthinning of trees (September, 1913). South

3391 Full Taj Garden. General view3392 Full Taj Garden. General view3393 -do- Taj Garden. General view.3396 12".\10" Taj Garden. View of northern half of garden, cast side

from top of west minaret.3397 -do- Taj Garden. View of northern half of garden, west

side from top of c.ist minaret3398 -do- Taj Garden. View of eastern half of garden, from top

of west minaret3399 -do- Taj Garden. View of western half of garden from east

minaret3537 half Taj Garden. General view. South3563 12" x 10" Taj Garden. General view of garden after opening up

vista towards Jawab. South3564 -do- Taj Garden. General view of garden after opening up

of vista towards Mosque. South.5740(a) 12"xlO" Taj museum. A coloured drawing plan (on linen) of

the Taj Mahal with its outer quadrangle, and the katrasand the Mahtab Bagh on the north. 1" half.

5740(b) -do- Taj museum. A coloured drawing plan (on linen) ofthe Taj Mahal with its outer quadrangle, and the katrasand the Mahtab Bagh on the north. 2nd half.

5741 -do- Taj Museum. Plan (on linen) of the Taj Mahal with themain buildings in elevation

2849 Full Taj ganj. General view of wall with gate. North3764 -do- Tajganj. Gateway known as the Dakhni Darwaza.

General view3765 12" x 10" Tajganj. General view showing the Taj and gateway

partly covered by houses. From Dakhni Darwaza3761 Full Tajganj. Gateway of Katrajogidas. General view.1579 12" x 10" Tajganj. View of inscription on Zulfi mosque in Phulel

katra Northwest3760 Full Tajganj. Gateway of Katra Phulel. General view *2607 Tajganj. General view of the tomb of Diwan ji Begam.

West3762 Full Tajganj. Gateway ofXatra Rcsham. General view.3763 Full Tajganj. Gateway of Katra Umar Khan. General view.


MANUSCRIPTS, HISTORICAL RECORDS

Risa/a/.i-I-'l 'aj Mahal

Amal-l-Salih —Muhammad Salih Kanbo

Tarik/j-I-Tajgati/

A brief description with theprincipal measurements of thefamous mausoleum of ShahJahan and his wife, the Taj atAgra. A short biographicalnote on Shah Jahan's wifeMumtaz Mahal and a fewother persons prefixed in thebeginning.

A very large and detailedhistory of Shah Jahan's reigntogether with a full account ofhis forefathers andpredecessors especially Akbarand Jahangir and of the first 3years of Alamgir's reign.

History of the Taj Mahal ofAgra. Name of the author anddate unknown

Persian manuscript in thecollection of the AsiaticSociety of Bengal, Calcutta

India Office Librarv

Central records Office, Bhopal

lmarat-l-Akbar An anonymous history of the Private collection of Muhbib-Taj copied from an older al Hasan Khan, Calcuttawork, giving the names of thearchitect, chief artisans, namesof different stones etc

Padshah NamaVarious versions by Abd al-Hamid Lahori, MuhammadWaris and Inayat Khan

Padshah Nama(incomplete) by Tabataba'Iand Qaxwini

Padshah NamaIn verse by Kalim

'/.afar NamaIn verse by Qudsi

Yadgar-c-Mnghttliyyah(translated by I I.M Axeex

Chronicles of the reign ofShahJahan

Chronicles of the reign ofShahJahan

British library

Contains a long section on the British Librarydeath of Mum tax Mahal andthe Taj Mahal

Contains a long section on the Khuda Baksh Oriental library,death of Mumtax Mahal and Patnathe Taj Mahal

Anecdotes concerning Akbar Persian manuscript in theand Mumtax Mahal wife of Cur/on collection, Asiatic


Hassan, Agra 1903)

7.inat-al- basatinBy Sadr al din Muhammad b.Zabardast Khan

Manuscript by Mughal Raig

Farmans

Patta

Shah jahan, together withsome lists of materialspurchased and workmenengaged for the constructionof the Taj Mahal in Agra

A treatise on gardening

Giving the geneoiogy ofMumtaz Mahal as also thedetails of the construction ofimperial buildings moreparticularly of the Taj ofAkbarabad(Agra) Dated, 24th

August, 1878

l.Jan-Feb. 1632-to RajajaiSingh of Amber concerningthe transportation of materialfrom Makrana2. Farman to Rajajai Singhdated Aug. 1632 detailingMuluk Shah to collect marblestone from the new quarryand collect payment3. Farnian to Rajajai Singhdated 20 June 1637) orderingthe release of artisans andstone cutters being employedby him for work in Amber toenable work to proceed atMakrana for the quarrying andtransportation of stone.

Patta bearing a seal dated1799-1800 issued by GeneralPerron recording the auctionbid by Ahmad Zaman for thefruits of the Taj Gardens

Society of Bengal,

Punjab University library

Taj Museum

Taj Museum

Taj museum


ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA REPORTS, HISTORICALACCOUNTS AND REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES

The following time line traces the conservation works executed from the nineteenth centurysince its creation, alongwith the recommendations of special expert committees for theconservation of the Taj Mahal.

1632 Foundation of the Taj Mahal laid1632 First urs in court of new grave1633 Mention by Mundy of gold railing installed around the grave,

establishment of Taj Ganj near the tomb and leveling of surroundingterrain

26 May, 1633 Second urs on foundation of new tomb, gold railing installed around thegrave

1635-36 Amanat Khan inscription inside die tomb1636-37 Dated inscription on Tomb exterior, west door1638 Amanat Khan inscription inside Tomb1643 Twelfth Urs, completion of tomb complex, supervision of Makramat

Khan and Abd al-Karim'1649 Burial of Satti al-Nisa Khanam at Tomb complex1654 Royal visit to Tomb during brief excursion to inspect Moti Masjkl in

Agra Fort1652 Letter from Aurangzeb to his father referring to defects in die dome and

vaults of the mausoleum. Leaks in the internal and external domes andcracks in die vaults over me apartments of me second floor. Referencealso to submergence of the Mehtab Bagh following the floods whichrequires cleaning although the octagonal pond and buildings in dievicinity are reported to be in a good condition.

1666 Deadi and burial of Shah Jahan1794 Sir John Murray seeks General de Boigne's intervention in requesting

Sindhia to allocate funds for die upkeep and maintenance of diemausoleum. Speaks of the neglected condition of the mausoleum. DeBoigne writes to state that allowance has been made for the Majavers orpriests for the upkeep of die building and die gardens but diis was beingmisused

1794 letters written by a Major J.H on die Taj providing a detailed description Asiatic Annualof the Taj and its gardens. Of interest is the levels of the gafJens Register, 1803described as being 5 feet lower than the first pavement and the marblereservoir as being 6 feet above the level of the gardens. Description ofdie gardens includes reference to grapes, variety of fruits and odier finetrees.

1803 City of Agra becomes part of British India. The Taj appears to have beenin charge of the officer commanding at Agra to whom the Collectortransferred the proceeds of the collections levied by him for diemaintenance and repair of the building. In the absence of a Ci\ilEngineering Department, the Military 1 engineer at Agra was responsiblefor the works carried out at the Taj


1808

8th

November,1808

1810

1814

1815

1822

1828

1839

1864

1871-72

Transfer of the Taj Mahal to the charge of a local Committee comprisingof the Magistrate, the Collector and the Commanding Officer at Agrawho were directed to report on the arrangements proposed for itsmaintenance, the rules for visiting it, the establishment to be employedfor the building and the gardens, and the repairs required by the buildingwhich were to be carried out by the Engineer Officer stationed at Agra

A Detailed Survey of all the buildings of the Taj is carried out by Lt Col.A. Kyd and his report of this date gives an account of the condition ofthe buildings at the time. In the case of the Taj itself only surface damagehas been done and it was largely a matter of removing grass from thejoints of the marble, restoring the marble pavement of the platform andrepairing the copper gilt ornament of the dome of which only part wasleft.

Captain Taylor appointed to execute repairs to the Taj Mahal.

Captain Taylor reports on the works executed at the Taj. This includescleaning and repair of the outer surface of the body of the Taj.Replacement of stones which have fallen and inky work renewed.

Formal visit by the Governor General Lord Hastings to review the workon the Taj carried out by Lt Col. A Kyd and his successor Lieut. Taylor.Letter from the Court of Directors in London restricting furtherexpenditure on the Taj as the budget had already exceeded the initialbudget prepared by Kyd.

Following heavy rains in that year, the exterior body of the Taj isdamaged. The matter is investigated by the local agents and it isdiscovered that in place of the inlaid stones, coloured chunam had beenused during die recent restoration effort Similarly die joints of diemarble slabs of the minarets formerly containing bkck stone had beenreplaced with coloured mortar.

Col. Hodgson surveys the Taj Mahal complex. Details of the gardens andforecourt

Taj gardens maintained by die Botanic gardens at Saharanpur.

Dr. Murray, Inspector General Hospitals, N.W.P reports that the mosaicwork is damaged particularly during die Mutiny when the inlaid stoneswere prised away from their place. Coloured lime and painted imitationof the flowers replaced die missing sections. Also refers to cracks in themarble caused due to the subsidence of the North East wall.

A.C.L. Carlleyle submits report on monuments at Agra with a detaileddescription of the Mughal gardens of Agra including the gardens ofAchanak Bagh, Aram Bagh, Buland Bagh, Chahr Bagh,Jamna Bagh,Khandari Bagh, lâdli Bagh, Mehtab Khan ka Bagh, Mori Bagh, RamBagh, Udinatha Bagh, Zahara Bagh

Bengal Past andPresent



Report on Agra withnotices of some ofthe neighbouringplaces - A.C.L.Carlleyle, Asst.In CunninghamReports Volume IV

1874 Restoration of die Eastern facade primarily the removal of broken Report of J.W


marble and substitution of new pieces in the vaulted opening.Restoration of Inlay work also executed.

• Regilding of upper pinnacle that surmounts the dome• Pointing of main dome with Portland cement• Restoration of Inlaid work on lower panels• Re-erection of pinnacles over the gateway alongwith restoration of

inlay work

1876 Mausoleum entrusted to the Public Works Department

1891 A. Westland responsible for Taj gardens; diins vegetation

1899-1900 • Repair and renewal of marble and stone floors• Inlay work restored at die marble tomb of Shah Jahan which had

been vandalised by the mutineers• Main dome of the Taj brushed and cleaned• Taj mosque — decayed voussoir stones renewed, restoration of inlay

work, ornamental painting done in die interior surface of therepaired dome, red sandstone dado panels with foliage and floraldesigns carved in relief reproduced by deepening the plane of thepanels so as to make the projection of sculpted design stand out

• Gaushala Burj — South West corner kiosk repaired• Gaushala - In a dilapidated condition. Renewal of pillars, shafts and

capitals carried out, masonry and lime pointing redone, outer andinner enclosures which had collapsed were redone

• Saheli Burj 1 (SW corner of outer enclosure) — inner ornamentalmarble facing replaced, decayed corbel stones, panels, fallen anddecayed portions of dome, missing finials and flooring renewed.Openings fitted with stone ornamental tracery screens

• Saheli Burj II (SE comer) — Ornamental marble facing of interiorwall and marble tracery screen replaced. Flooring repaired andmissing finials restored. Dilapidated dalan on north side restoredwith ornamental plaster

• Saheli Burj III (NE corner) — Capitals of pillars renewed, missingfinials repkced, ornamental tracery screens placed in all openings

• Saheli Burj IV (NW corner)- Dome dioroughly repaired. Carvedsemi vaults round the burj restored. Flooring, plindi and platformrestored and missing finials repkced. Kiosk on the right corner infront restored and a matching one constructed on the left corner.Ornamental red sandstone balustrade provided. Dalans repaired, alldecayed stone work in panelling, face work, baskets, bases, shaftsand capitals renewed. Terraced roof and floor of dalans renewed.

1900-1901 • Restoration works completed to Saheli Burj nos. 1,111 and IV• Restoration of 2 kiosks of Sahcli Burj IV• Structural repairs to Kali Masjid and enclosure walls of the Taj• 2 missing kiosks at the rear of Sahcli Burj IV built anew to match the

2 front kiosks where previously only the base existed• Structural and other repairs to the east and west pavilions in the Taj

garden — renewal of decayed and missing stones from walls andvaults of superstructure. Inlay work on external surface of domerestored. Ornamental marble and red sandstone pavement of bothpavilions restored. Whitewash on internal surfaces of both pavilions

Alexander, Esq.,Executive Engineer,Agra ProvisionalDivision,Government ofIndia, P.W.D. 1974,Civil Works BuildingsProgs.Oct.B. Nos.7)

Report of Mr. G.JJoseph Esq.,Executive Engineer,Agra ProvisionalDivision


removed• Restoration of Fatehpuri Masjid - 4 comer towers surmounted by

kiosks restored. Marble spandrels of arch over the main entrance tomosque restored. Basement dalans repaired

1901-1902 " Structural and other repairs to East and West pavilions in the TajGarden- Renewing decayed and missing stones in the walls, restoringinlay work on the exterior of the domes, relaying marble andsandstone pavements

• Restoring the outer compound wall facing Fatehpuri Masjid and theSaheli Burj

" West wall of the outer gateway of the Taj which was the principleentrance gate for visitors has been refaced with red sandstone

• Restoring Sirhi Darwaza at the Taj — General structural repairs,restoring black and white marble inlay of finial columns, plastering'interior surface of entire south wall of the quadrangle.

• Special repairs to the Mosque at the Taj - Renewal of pieces of blackand white marble inlay from borders of the dado panels. Restorationof carved sandstone friezes and panels. Removal of defective blockof sandstone in honeycombed pendentives of the domes andsubstitution with sound stone. General structural repairs

1902-1903 • Special repairs to the Taj mosque• Restoration of east and west central causeway. Removal of water

main and replacement with cast iron pipes for irrigation of garden.4" cast branch pipe for fountains laid. Repair of floors and sides ofwater channels.' Pipes connected to main reservoir in the park

• Red sandstone flagging to platform of Saheli Burj restored• Restoration of sill stones and pillars in cloisters of die Taj quadrangle• Restoration of pierced sandstone screens in the rear of the pavilions

in the east and west walls of die Taj garden. Wooden doors installedin place of old iron barred doors

• Metalling of roads in the outer quadrangle and laying covered drains• Removal of modem brick wall on the north side of the road through

die quadrangle near the east gate.• Improvement to Khan Alam Bagh• Fixing of suitable doors to entrance of Fatehpuri Masjid and erecting

a tank in the floor of the platform1903-04 Jawab

• Restoration of some of the carved sandstone panels and marble inlay„ in the zigzag border round the dado on the west front and in the

frieze at the base of the domes was undertaken.Garden:• Ornamental battlements inlaid with black and white marble have

been restored. 300 of the white marble flowers and 600 lineal feet ofthe white marble band have been renewed.. In fixing the flowers eachflower has been secured by two small copper pins.

" Cutting down of some of the heavier trees in the garden to open upa fuller \iew of the buildings round the mausoleum from the maingateway. Until the present year it was hardly possible to get a grasp ofthe general design for both the mosque and the jawab which werehidden behind dense foliage.

Saheli Burj 1

Annual ProgressReport ofArchaeological Surveyof India (UnitedProvinces)Report by A.CPohvhele, Esq,Executive Engineer,Agra ProvisionalDivision on theConservation ofAncient Buildings inAgra Division

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Annual Report 1903-1904 ArchaeologicalSurvey of India


• The compound has been converted from a veritable wilderness intoa neatly paved and well grassed garden.

• The fountain in the central tank has been connected with the Tajirrigation main. The tank and the water channel it feeds have beenrestored.

• A small museum located in the south gateway has been added.• The quadrangle has been enhanced by the lowering and metalling

of the roads and construction of covered drains. In the old days thequadrangle used to be deep in dust in the dry weather and floodedwith water during the rains. In the roadway through the westentrance gateway which is the principal entrance to the Taj, theremoval of metalling which had accumulated to a depth of 18 inchesinvolved regarding of the approach to the gateway outside as weD asinside the quadrangle and diis led to the discovery of an ancient brickpavement. It was not however, considered advisable to leave thelatter exposed as die slope is too great and does not work in with thatof the approach road. A further result of these changes in the level, itshould be noticed, is that the old gates have been saved from decaywhich was gradually creeping up as the became more and moreembedded in road metal and dirt

Mahtab Bagh• Downstream bur[ of Mahtab Baghj repaired

1904-1905 • Tank restored in front of the Fatehpuri Masjid which was earlierdiscovered while digging the road at the gateway. Tank was rebuilt inred sandstone and a carved balustrade copied from one whichsurrounds the Fatehpuri Masjid fitted around the edge

• Garden laid out at Saheli Burj I and balustrade restored along eastfront of platform on which the Burj stands

• Renewal of pieces1905-1906 • Restoration of the colonnades around the Taj quadrangle

" Restoration of the pavement, water channels and other facilities ofthe platform of Saheli Burj no. II

• Repair of foliated balustrades on the norm and west sides of SaheliBurj IV

• Ruined buildings south of Saheli Burj no. I dismantled. Plans andelevations prepared

• Stone finials on 2 of the corner kiosks of the Fatehpuri Masjidreplaced with marble ones

• Modem chhatri over the garden well dismanded and replaced with asandstone chatri

• Pieces of marble and strips of black marble replaced inside the maindome of the Taj

• Sandstone floors replaced at several places• Cornices of the Jawab sloped to prevent pigeons from roosting there• Marble inlay work repaired at the Taj gate

1906-1907 • Restoration of the arcades around the Taj quadrangle• Restoration of pavement, water channels and other features of the

platform of Saheli Burj 11• Restoration of Central fountains, water channels and paved ways of

the garden court west of the domed tomb or Rauxa (Saheli Buq II)• Restoration of the marble lining inside the Taj dome

Annual report

Annual Report


1907-1908

1909

1913

1914

1915

Stone flagging laid on die floors of die Taj dalanBalustrade on die edge of die platform at the Taj entrance gaterestoredNew Sal wood studded gates installed at the entrance to the east sideof the Taj gardens

Subsidence of pavilion immediately south of the Jawab followed bycracking of one of the capitals which supported die dome. Dometrussed and damaged masonry repaired.Anodier colonnade added to those already built in the forecourtRemoval of seats of English patter widi dieir substitution by marblebenches of Mughal design2 long canals on die east and west of the main marble reservoir at dieTaj pointed with cementBulging stones on the Jawab removed and resetTo prevent pigeons from roosting on cornices of die Jawab pianowires stretched across die building 9" apart

Repair to water channels by embedding diem in a bed of concreteFlower beds removed from east and west channels and grasssubstituted in accordance widi die main channel. Proposal to removecurved paths and irregular flower beds from the northern part of thegardenInstallation of bronze lamp inlaid widi gold and silver gifted by LordCurzon (16th February)

Thinning of old vegetation consisting primarily of variegated palmsand replacement widi more compact foliageCypress trees planted in the causeways running due east and west .from the central marble tank in place of palms.

Thinning of trees to give vistas to the mosque and Jawab from thecentre of die tomb platforms to the two baradaris terminating in thewater causeways running east and west from the Central tank Mainitems of removal were lines of ashoka trees which flanked dieparterres on eidier side of'die main causeway in die northern half ofdie garden, (reference to die Agra Gardens Committee comprisingof Collector, Executive Engineer, Superintendent GovernmentGardens, Superintendent Muhammadan and British Monumentswith Commissioner Agra as the chairman)

letter from Sir J.I 1 Marshall, Director General of Archaeology to theCommissioner of Agrareferring to Baker's plans for the Taj Gardens.1 Ic cites I x>rd Curxon's letter "A rumour (audientic) has reached methat Baker, the South African is at Sir James MEston to alter the TajGardens. For I leaven's sake don't let them tamper with it. Wediscussed ever)' theory, every plan. We cannot ever make it what itwas under the Mugha;s and we would not wish to if we could "The proposals are dismissed for being unpractical.

Annual Report

Annual ProgressReport of theSuperintendentMuhammadan andBritish MonumentsNorthern Circle

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Copy of a d.o no. 1164dated l"June, 1915from Sir J. 11 MarshallDirector General ofArchaeology in Indiato the Commissionerof Agra division.

1917-18 largest project in Agr.i involves reinforcement of river walls at Bagh-


1919

1920

1921

1921-22

1924-1925

i-Alam Klian and work on its plant nursery next to the Taj Mahal

" Cutting back of high bank on the right hand side of the approacli tothe Taj forecourt to enable a view of the small tank and dalans ofFatehpuri mosque. Babul trees removed.

Taj gardens and nurseries:• "All the borders of shrubs have now been made a uniform width of

30 ft., 4 plots were reveled during the rains which will make theirrigation more satisfactory. The number of flower beds werereduced and a reduction was made in 4 plots. The canna plots andthe new rose plot made last year have given satisfaction the formerhas been in flower through out the year. The biotas on either side ofthe main walk have been removed and replanted with plants of onesize with an equal number in each plot with the exception of the 2plots nearest the r.omb these plots being about 27 ft. wider than theremainder 2 extra plant were necessary. The former procedureappears to have been to cut out and replant biotas in each plot whenthey grew too large and replant with young plants but unfortunatelyone or two plots a year seem to have been treated in this manner theconsequence was no two plots in the garden had the same sizeplants. We now have plants of one size and age throughout. A colourscheme for the flower beds has been attempted this year"

Forecourt• An improvement has been carried out in the Taj forecourt by

extending the kunkered portions to the shade of several treesbordering the road to form a shady spot for the parking of carriages,this has been carried out with a view eventually to the removal ofNim trees on the east portion of the metalled square which is now inuse for standing vehicles. 2 very old Nim trees have been removedfrom the grass plot in the courtyard during die year and replaced by 2gulmohars.Work has commenced on the removal of 5 trees in die Taj gardenonly one of which will be missed — silk cotton tree on the left of theentrance gate."

• Repairs to the old wall running along die banks of the Yamuna andprotecting the Bag-I-Alam. Repairs of brick masonry walls includingbastions, steps and some inner rooms, making the roof watertightand removing shrubs and jungle. Constructing a masonry stepped fallto carry rainwater from the garden to the river.

• Aenal view of the Taj

Restoration of missing cloisters on south side of the forecourt - westof the Sirhi DarwazaRepair of electrical installations at the Taj

Taj water supply from canal water lias too much silt.

I>ismanthng and reconstruction of the dome surmounting the NorthWest minar. Owing to rusting of the central iron rod, the lotuscresting had cracked and die finial unsteady. The rod was re-placed bya galvanised one and the cresting and finial reset

Extract from letter no19 dated 1^4-1919from Supdt. Taj andother Govt. gardens,Agra to Collector ofAgra

Annual ProgressReport of theSuperintendentArchaeological Surveyof India NorthernCircle (Muhammadanand BritishMonuments)

Annual Report of theArchaeological Surveyof India for the year1924-25


Repairs to the roofs of the colonnades surrounding the forecourtUnderpinning and pointing of the compartments and verandahs ofdie enclosure used as a chick nurseryFilling up of open joints in the parapet walls of the mosque andjawab making them watertightReplacement of old underground lighting cable by a new armouredcableNew floral scheme of roses and cannas introduced; lotus added tothe central tank

1925 - 26

1927

1927-28

1928-1929

1929-1930

1930-1931

South west comer of die mosque had been affected some time agoby an earthquake or settlement causing the south wall and arches tocrack and the stones in the wall were bulging out The stones in thewall were dismantled and relaidFew surface fractures at the Jawab were repaired by insertingrectangular pieces of similar stone. Four jali screens were provided inthe Northern ChhatriBroken chajja slabs at the main entrance gate were replaced with newonesReference to gardens of the Taj; similar colour scheme developed forcold weather season and rainy season (rose, canna and lawns)

Shops started in the western forecourt

Patch repairs to the wails and floorsDecayed paving stones replacedInlaid work restoredBroken stone jalis around the river kiosks were renewed andTell tales fixed at suitable points around the drum of the main domewhere cracks were in evidenceOld missing drain in the North eastern parterres of the gardens wasrestored. Portion of the pavement in the vicinity of the drain hadsubsided creating a slope in the opposite direction. These stoneswere relaid with a slope cowards die drainOn die Eastern and Northern sides of the plinth of the mainentrance gateway a few decayed panels of carving were replaced bynew ones of the original patternThe ablution tank in front of the mosque was repaired and madewatertight

Dusty floors of the dalan to die cast of die main entrance gatewaypartially paved with stoneFacing stones of one of die minarets flanking the central arch of theTaj mosque on the north which had disintegrated and bulged outwas dismantled and rebuilt

Missing chajja at the covered nursery renovatedInlay work restored

Annual Report of dieArchaeological Surveyof India for die year1925-26



Annual Report of theArchaeological Surveyof India for die year1929-30

Annual Report of theArchaeokjgical Surveyof India for the year1930-1934

1931-1932 Saracenic lamp hanging in the main gateway which had fallen and -do-


was damaged was repaired

1932 1.°33 • Dismantling and repair of guldasta on inner facade of Sirhi Darwaza• Rebuilding with lakhauri bricks in lime of a section of the enclosure

wall of the Taj• Plinth of the northern dalan of Sati-un-Nissa Khanum's tombs

thoroughly repaired• Gate of Katea Umar Khan restored with stone slabs and lime

concrete• Several trees cut down to open the view of the mausoleum from the

side of the Naubat Khana

1933-1934 " Further work carried out to east of main entrance - dusty floors ofthe dalans completely restored

15th January, Earthquake hits Agra.1934 • Mosque in the Taj garden is badly affected.

• 3 out of 4 minarets around the central dome are displaced and aposition of the stone facing of a minaret has bulged out.

• Portion of the carved facing of the front facade and the east wall hasfallen down.

• The stone facing of me back wall has also bulged out All of theseportions are in dangerous condition and may come down anytime.

• Jamaat Khana — Two vertical cracks have appeared in the northernarch of the west facade, but there is no fear of the arch or wallcollapsing due tot hese cracks in me near future.

• The rest of the buildings have not been affected.

1934-1935 • Mosque at the Taj - stone face of west facade dismantled and resetfrom the level of the plinth upto the inlaid frieze at the base of theparapet

• Four gardens of the former eight gardens of annuals closed andregrassed

1936-1937 • Restoration of the balcony.of the dalan to the north of the Jawab• Conservation of the riverside waH — decayed stones renewed and the

open joints pointed widi recessed cement pointing, removal of siltand debris from the site

• Construction of a retaining wall and dry pitching along me east wallto protect against the drain which flows on that side during the rainyseason

• Repairs to the underground drains in the courtyard of the mosqueand Jawab

• Provision of dry pitching around Hie north west bastion

1942 Taj Advisory Committee established to examine the structure of the Tajand prepare recommendations for its preservation

1943 Advisor)' Committee expanded to review recommendations of theprevious committee

1953-1954 • Repairs to the facades of the mausoleum - pointing of open joints ofthe marble setting, resetting loose inlay pieces and inlay bases,

-do-

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Annual Report of theArcheological Surveyof India for me year1934-1935

Annual Report of dieArcheological Surveyof India for the year1936-37

Indian ArcheologyReview - 1953-54


inserting new inlay bars, chiseling fractured portions on the facadeand intrados of the sahanchis and insetting new bidis, relaying floorsof upper sahanchis in the facades with 1 Vz " cement concrete over 3" lime concrete.

• Survey of India checked vetticality of the mtnars and reported noappreciable change

1954-1955 • Repairs to the facades of the mausoleum and the chattri at the southeast comer of the enclosure wall near the gaushala

• Replastering of the inner surface of the upper dome asrecommended by the Taj Advisory Committee and the plinth of thedalans in the forecourt

• Pruning of trees as large number of trees causing overcrowding1955-1956 • Work of consolidating facades of mausoleum - pointing of marble

facing, resetting of loose inlay pieces and insertion of new ones,floors of upper sahanchis were relaid with cement concrete toprevent percolation of water into the core of the structure

• Marble screen around the cenotaphs and the carved marble dados inthe interior and exterior were cleaned

" Plinth of marble platform containing tank, two rows of thepavement at the back of the dasa stones were dismantled andcrevices below were grouted and slabs reset. Pointing done to makeplatform watertight

• 22 marble cupolas over main gate were repaired by resetting ofdislodged veneer stones after the crevices below them had beenthoroughly grouted

• Glass and chick houses of Taj gardens and Khan-I-Alam wererenovated

1956-1957 • Work on the facades of the mausoleum completed with exception ofwork on the dislodged pilaster in the south west corner

• Team of engineers reviewed works executed in light of therecommendation of the Advisory Committee of 1943 in the mainstructure and subsidiary buildings and drew up programme forrepair. Measures advised included — fixation of tell tales all alongcracks in the Upper ground vaults on the river front, execution ofrepairs of special nature to the dislodged south west pilaster of mainmausoleum which included removal of flat strips of stone fixed oneither side of the pilaster and resetting of dislodged veneer stones inposition by clamps and dowels after a thorough pointing of the voidsbehind them.

• Tell tales have been fixed in die vaults and work on the pilaster inprogress

• Gardens returfed

Indian ArchaeologyReview - 1954-55

Indian ArchaeologyReview-1955-56

1957-1958 • Work on dislodged plaster completed. Stones of pilaster togetherwith the side panels were dismantled from top to bottom to a heightof 90 feet and reset in position with copper cramps and voidsbeneath the veneer were thoroughly grouted. Broken marble inlaidstone was replaced during the course of the repairs with a new one.Fractured and broken stones were also repaired and missing inlaypieces and bars restored

• Drain running along the foot of the wall on the riverside was opened

Indian Archaeology1957-58-A Review


to ascertain the cause of the cracks and the percolation of water inthe underground vaults on the river front. Nor cracks were noticedin the stone bed of the drain but chequered stone pavementalongside had longitudinal cracks through which water percolated.'Iliese cracks were grouted with cement and hydraulic lime. Trial pitsdug along the outer wall on riverside to find out the foundationstrata exposed a scries of wells used as foundation

• Number of loose pieces of inlay in the main mausoleum were resetand missing ones restored

• Similar work on subsidiary buildings and the Mehman Khana• Open joints in the facade of the monument grouted• Levels of the Taj and verticality of the minars were again checked by

the Survey of India. Permanent bench mark constructed in thegardens

• Garden facing the mausoleum improved by removal of central bedsin the front lawns and of dead plants and pruning of trees to exposenatural vistas and the focal points of the monuments were rcturfed.

1958-1959 • To find foundation strata on the riverside a trial pit about 50 ft longdug and two wells exposed. Structure is raised on well foundationswith a filling of rubble masonry. The centre to Centre distancebetween the two wejls is 1 Vz feet

• On open courtyard of the mosque and adjourning north west bastiona wide joint in stone pavement running west to east throughjunctions of stones and cracks noticed underneath. These weregrouted with cement and hydraulic lime to a total length of 110 feet

• Recommendation of the Advisory Committee of 1943 were followedin regard to the north east minars — resetting of dislodged stones ofthe domes and its pointing, chiselling of the fractured surface ofmarble and insertion of bidis at those places, resetting of loose andrestoring of missing inky pieces and bars, resetting of dislodgedstones of marble railing and replacing broken pieces, together withornamental bracket by new ones, provision of doors and replacingdecayed and exfoliated red stones of exterior, filling of joints, verticaland horizontal faced with inky bars

• At main gate several broken chajja stones of the four corner chattriswere replaced

• Broken concrete floors relaid

Indian Archaeology1958-59 - A Review

1959-1960 • Patches of stone paving in the court in front of the mosque werereset as they hawd sagged

" Second coat of weak cement plaster applied in 1954 on the intradosof the second dome to remove salt from the core was scraped outand a new coat applied of weal cement mortar. It was applied againfor the third time for the further removal of salts

• Dislodged stones in the pavement and stone jalis of the south westcorner chhatris were reset

• Joints in the facades of the mosque and the wall to the east of themain gate were pointed

• Brickwork of the Khan-I-Alam was underpinned• Collapsed portion of the wall to the south of Fatehpuri gate was

rebuilt

Indian ArchaeologyReview- 1959-560


1960-1961 • To counteract the scouring of the foundation by the river duringfloods, rubble pitching encased with galvanised iron wire nettingto a length of about 70 mts was done along the plinth of the northwall near the north west tower

• Extensive repairs were undertaken to the dalans flanking theFatchpun gate on the north east side - provision of new chajjastones and base stones of pillars, replacing of damaged andmissing brackets, reconditioning of the floor in the rooms withfresh concrete

" Dislodged stones in the pavement were reset• Closed arches inside the mausoleum fitted with glass panes• Loose inlay pieces in the north waD were reset• Water outlets in marble fixed in place of missing ones• Lawns deweeded and beds of annuals rearranged to improve colour

scheme

1961-1962 • Northwest comer tower taken up for repairs in accordance withrecommendations of the Taj Advisory Committee — iron dowelsused in construction had rusted and damaged the marble slabs of theveneer. Cracked and decayed slabs replaced by new ones

• Restoration of broken chajjas and railing in all three storeysundertaken

• Exfoliated red sandstone blocks in the interior replaced by similarones in AKvar marble and loose ones reset after grouting crevices

• Worn out plaster of soffit of crowning chhatri attended to andexposed joints pointed

• Replacement of missing and broken slabs of the Chameli Fash bynew ones

• Damaged panels of plinth of the main entrance gate replaced by newcarved panels

• Plaster on border of frontal apses of gate renewed• Thorough cleaning of marble and red sandstone used in various

architectural members within die complex including the screenaround the cenotaph

• Two lawns in the forecourt and four in the inner garden returfed.• Sandstone edging provided around flower beds• Steps taken to utilise water of fountains for irrigation by opening up

old silted up channels• Northern and southern terraced gardens of Saheli Burj grassed

1962-1963 • 1 ,oose black marble horizontal bands in the north west minar of theTaj reset

• Sunken pavement in front of the Mehmankhana raised to originallevel

• Foundations of northeast corner dalan, a portion of which hadsettled, were strengthened with the introduction of cement concrete

" New chajja stones and a parapet wall were provided at places on thedalans flanking the Fatehabad gate

• Arches and walls of the dalans were underpinned• Wild growth in the lawns were removed and the area returfed with

dub grass





1963-1964 • I xx>se black marble bars in veneering of northwest minar reset withspecial lime mortar and missing ones recced

• Sunken pavement to the south of the Mehmankhana towards theriverside, was raised by laying lime concrete underneath

• Western part of the compound wall of the Khan-1-Alam garden andsouthern wing of the Sirhi Darwaza reconstructed

• Underpinning of the brickwork and laying of fresh concrete overdecayed portions

• Renewal of roof plaster over the principal entrance" Saroo plants in the rear proximity flanking the principal canal were

replaced with new plants

1964-1965 • Sunken portion of the terrace between the main tomb and theMehmankhana was raised by replacement of decayed stone with newones and by resetting good pieces in the proper slope

• Corner burjis of the compound wall were provided with doors• Part of causeway on the east of the central channel was repaired by

resetting dislodged stones• Loose pieces of inlay panels in the Mehman Khana were secured• Portions of exposed wall surface of the courtyard outside the main

gate was replastered• Concrete of roof over the main gate was renewed" Saroo plants and ornamental trees on either side of the main canal

were replaced

1965-1966 • Sunken portion of red sandstone pavement in front of theMehmankhana and causeway raised to the original level by providinga concrete bedding

• Cement concrete drain provided around the forecourt of the TajMahal and 5 cms thick sandstone edging provided by side of dram

• Approach road also provided with edging• Western gate provided wim new wooden doors in a. Mughal design

while existing doors of the Eastern gate was repaired and refixed" Some cells opening into the courtyard were provided with Mughal

patterned doors• Damaged portions of die wall of die Khan-I-Alam towards die

riverside was underpinned and open joints of brickwork pointedwith mortar

• Four plots of lawn were regrassed with Calcutta dub grass. Existingrosarium was reconditioned

• Ornamental fencing installed along die lawns of the forecourt

1966-1967 • Sunken portion of red sandstone pavement in front of theMehmankhana and causeway raised to the original level by providinga concrete bedding

• Construction of cement concrete drain around the forecourtcompleted

• Open joints in the brickwork of the Khan-1-Alam were filled

1967-1968 • Sunken portion of pavement in front of the Mehmankhana wasraised to the original level and decayed stone slabs replaced with newones

• Cells of dalans attached to the Sahch liurj were fitted with Mughal


Indian ArcheologyReview-1964-65

Indian ArchaeologyReview -1965-66

Indian ArcheologyReview- 1966-67



1968-1969

1969-1970

1970-1971

Indian ArcheologyReview - 1968 1969

pattern doorsDamaged floors of the cells made good by hying a layer of fresh limeconcrete after scraping decayed onesLawns in front of the glass house was returfcd

Northern brick wall of the Gaushala enclosure was underpinned withlakhauri bricks in several places and joints pointedPatches of soot from the entrance arches of the main gate removedand the affected surface repaired on the original linesBrickwork patches removed from the withered stone pillar bases ofthe northern verandah and these were strengthened with reinforcedconcrete. Moulding restored in the plaster following the originalpattern. Original floor level of the verandah exposed and relaid withfresh lime concreteFour old lawns of the Taj garden were dug out and returfed with dubgrass

Entire forecourt in the front of the main approach to the Taj was Indian Archeologyconcreted to keep the area clean and free from dust Review - 1969-70Fallen patches of plaster on the soffit of the arch in the entrance gatewas repaired

Dalans of the forecourt on die western side were underpinnedDecayed plaster on the walls and ceiling were renewed and concreteof first floor roof of mausoleum replacedDecayed plaster of ceiling of main gate removed and redonereproducing ornamental geometrical designsBulged waD to the east of main gate repairedForecourt lawns returfed


1971-1972 • Pointing of wide open joints in the stone pathways leading from themain gate to the mausoleum

• Replacement of decayed lime concrete on the first floor of the mainmausoleum undertaken

• Pointing of wide open joints in the marble terrace of the mausoleumcompleted

" 2 plots of the garden returfed with dab grass

1974-1975 Marble walls of water tank between gate and main platform cleared ofvegetation growth and pyriric stains as far as possible

1974 Varadarajan Committee established to advise project authorities of theMathura Refinery on measures to be taken by them to keep pollutioneffect to the absolute minimum



1975-1976 • Bulged vencenng stones of western side of the gateway of forecourtdismantled and reset in position after changing damaged ones

" Open joints in masonry pointed• Open joints in marble stones of main dome pointed• Missing inlay pieces of semi precious stones replaced in panels on

outer facade of main mausoleum• Decayed moulded plaster on die ceiling, arches and walls of

underground cells removed and replastv.Tcd matching the original



• Fresh lime concrete flooring provided to rooms, galleries etc." Decayed and broken flooring stones of geometrical pattern taken out

and reset with new ones matching original• Sunken flooring and dasa stones near the western Naubat Khana

removed and reset and open joints pointed• Lawns returfed" Fountain recommissioned by boring a tube well• TECNECO experts examine various monuments in Agra and

present report on the state of conservation. Concluded that thecondition of the marble was good although the sandstone haddeteriorated due to natural causes. Dealt essentially with the impactof pollution n the stones and did not examine other types ofdeterioration

1976-1977 • Work of reconditioning of flooring of causeway and portions innorthern southern and western sides by replacing decayed stones,resetting of sunken stones, pointing etc.

• Replacing of missing inlay pieces in the outer facade of the mainmausoleum on northern, southern and north western sides

• Damaged flooring of underground cells and passage reconditionedand decayed plaster on walls and ceiling removed and replasteredafter grouting and filling up wide and deep cracks

• Western side of Naubat Khana renovated by reconditioning theflooring, providing Mughal pattern doors, pointing etc. to house anew museum

• Flooring of eastern verandah and courtyard of tomb of SirhindiBegum reconditioned and decayed veneering stones of the domereplaced

• Black marble of the gaz of Janamaz of Fatehpuri mosque wererepkced where necessary

• Damaged and broken chajja stones of the gaushala towards the northeastern and north western sides were repkced and parapet wallsrepaired and plastered

• Ceiling of arch of the Khan-I-Alam gate over which the water tankfor the fountain is situated was pointed and plastered.

• Work of laying flooring of the western dalan of the southern mainentrance gate in progress

• Marble slabs over the entrance to the mausoleum were found to becovered with dust, dirt, cobwebs, smoke and beehive deposits;hydrolysis and oxidation of hooks and nails in the masonry hadcauscu red and brown stains to appear. Surface of the marble wascleaned with the help of detergents like tcepol B-300. Smoke andbeehive deposits were removed with the help of alcohol, benzene,formalin and other solvents. Stains of iron oxide were reduced withthe help of dioxan and other solvents. Cleaned surface of the archand walls were polished with a wax formulation and burnished withsatin pads to give the marble its old lustre

1977-1978 • Decayed and dislodged stones of the causeways inside the Taj werereplaced by fresh ones or reset

• Inlay pieces missing from the outer facade of the mausoleum werereplaced

• Plaster moulding and cutwork were restored in the underground




cells• Missing chajja stonrs of the gaushala were replaced by new ones

matching the original and the flooring of the dalan on the westernside was set right

• Decayed stones forming geometrical patterns around the cypresstrees on either side of the channels were replaced and sunken stonesraised in position by providing lakhauri bricks underneath

" Open joints in central tank pointed with special lime mortar" Plots infested with weeds returfed shrubbery improved by

replacement of old plants• Work of cleaning 3 side walls of the platform of Taj carried out for

removal of dust, dirt and yellowish stains with 1% ammonicalsolution teepol and detergents. Treated surface polished withcolourless wax polish and burnished with soft cotton cloth.

1978-1979 • Worn out marble stones of northwest upper arch and walls of Indian Archeologycenotaphs removed and reset with a new ones Review - 1978-79

• Decayed and missing gola stones on outer facade of eastern side ofenclosure wall replaced with new ones

• Decayed and missing gola stones on outer facade of eastern side ofenclosure wall replaced with new ones

" Decayed lime plaster from walls and ceilings of underground cellstowards the riverside redone

• Carved lower border and jalis cleaned by organic solvents forremoval of dust and dirt and polished with mansion polish

• New submersible pumps set installed in tube well to ensure adequatewater supply

1979-1980 • Decayed and missing veneer stones both plain and moulded and dasa Indian Archeologystones of outer facade to eastern enclosures wall replaced Review - 1970-80

• Besides attending to damaged portion near the north westernbastion, cracks in the underground cefls towards river were groutedand wall surface replastered

• Obliterated and damaged geometrical and floral designs of theMehman Khana were reproduced in patches matching the originalwhile damaged wire netting in the centre was replaced

• Broken and missing red sandstone railings around the well to thenorthwestern side of the central tank and towards the Mehmankhana was restored

• Work of cleaning the marble trelHs and lower border inside thecenotaph was carried out for the removal of dust, dirt and grime.

• Fresh water connection provided in the garden

1980-81 • New lawns of the Taj were put under perfo-system of irrigationwhich has worked effectively.

• 1 "he infected plots were returfed and shrubberies removed.

1981-82 • The decayed and damaged stones of the inner spiral steps of the Indian Archeologysouth western minar and the veneering stones of the Taj Mahal have Review - 1981-82been replaced

• Fresh inlay pieces on the neck of the main dome and wall on theriver side have been provided and water tightened

" The damaged lakhauri brick wall of Khan-i-Alam nursery has been


restored and pointed.• The pillars and channel of the old water system have been

underpinned by lakhauri bricks• The decayed plaster of the domed ceiling has been replaced by fresh

one.• The decayed stones of the dasa and chhajja and the decayed plaster

of the south western Saheli Burj have been replaced by new ones

1982-83 Area of the main western arch, below the Arabic inscriptions:• The smoky patches, dust and dirt were removed with the help of

ammonia and emulsified solutions• The yellow stains were removed with the help of a dilute solution of

hydrogen peroxide and alcohol.• The beehive wax and other surface deposits were removed with the

help of different organic solvent mixtures.• The worn out and weathered red sandstone of convex molding on

the inner face of walls, molded soffits of south west minaret and thespiral steps from the bottom to the level of the first storey, werereplaced by new ones.

• The door frames of iron jails, fitted in door openings, were replacedwith door shutters of the Mughal pattern. Similar shutters were alsoprovided in all openings of the bastion at a south west angle of theTaj enclosure

• The roof of the Saheliori-ka-Gumbad, at south-west angle of theforecourt was water tightened and the missing chajja stones wererestored and broken ones replaced with new ones.

• The underpinning and pointing work on the enclosure of Khan-i-Alam on the river side and the south side was also carried out

• In the arched opening at the first floor of eastern Naubat Khana aniron grill shutter was provided.

• Open joints of Chameli floor around the plinth of marble terracewere pointed.

1983-84 The small arch of the Taj north-west• The hard brownish accretions were removed with a paste prepared

by mixing 100 gms. Magnesium trisilicate, 2 ml concentratedammonia, 1ml teepol, 1 ml Hydrogen peroxide and 2 drops oftriethanolamine, applied to the portions overnight and washed withcotton swabs using distilled water.

The northern peripheral wall:• Black patches of algal growth, deposit of dust, dirt, oil, soot and

other greasy accretions were removed from the marble railings,marble slabs and marble screen by soft brushing with ammoniacwater, non-ionic detergents, hydrogen peroxide and triethanol amineand finally washing the surfaces thoroughly with distilled water.

The south and west peripheral walls of the Taj and stairs leading tothe upper platform of the Taj:

• Brownish deposits of greasy matter together with dust and dirtwere removed by using organic solvents like toluene, acetone,triethanolamine, etc.

• Hard blackish deposits of dried algae were removed with the helpof non-ionic detergents, ammonical water and hydrogen peroxide




• The dome of the north western kiosk of the tomb building waswater tightened by pointing joints of marble stones.

• Old wooden doors fixed in the arch of the south facade of thetomb building were replaced with new ones prepared in theMughal pattern.

" The kiosk at the south-western corner of the Taj enclosure wasrepaired by pointing joints of red sandstones.

• Miniature domes of cupolas of the marble gallery above theparapet of the main entrance were water tightened by pointingjoints.

• 'Hie partly collapsed roof and the western wall of the roomsituated to the east of the south-western corner of Glass houseNursery were restored matching with the originals

South-western minaret:• Red sandstone of cyma moulding on the inner surface of walls and

those of molded soffits and steps of the spiral stairs from the secondto die third storey that were badly decayed and worn out werereplaced bv new ones.

• Joints of red sandstone veneering inside the minaret from thebottom to the third storey have been pointed.

1984-85 Sandstone wait Indian Archeology• The dried algal growth was removed after softening with dilute Review - 1984-85

ammonical solution and scrubbing with soft nylon brushes.• Dust and dirt were removed by using non-ionic surface detergent,

hydrogen peroxide and triethanolamine. The stone surface was thenthoroughly rinsed with distilled water.

• Marble surface on the exterior southern lower smaller arch• Dirt, dust, grease, soot and oily accretions were cleaned by absorbent

clay pack method. A water base pack of magnesium trisilicate addedwith little ammonia, teepol and hydrogen peroxide was applied onthe surface overnight The packs were then removed by using cottonswabs with distilled water.

Arches inside the cenotaph:• Dust and dirt, stains, greasy matter and other surface accretions of

oil and soot which covered the marble wotk were also cleaned byusing the same treatment used for the exterior marble surface.

• Accretions of oil and soot were removed with organic solvents likeethvlene dirhloridc, benxcne and triethanolamine.f» j

• I~he walls, ceilings and rcxmi that embody the marble terrace wererepaired and re-plastered with lime mortar in patches and the crackswere grouted with lime cement.

• The cracked marble plaster having mouldings and inlay work on thesouthern facade of the mausoleum was replaced with new ones.

• The worn out lime plaster from the walls and ceiling of the room onthe south-east of the mausoleum was removed and re-plastered.

• The top of the rooms at the eastern side of the Glass Nursery in thesouth-western corner of Taj Mahal were water tightened with freshlime concrete.

• Dalans of the north western quadrangle of the forecourt were


repaired by replacing the walls and ceilings. The broken and missingchhajja stones were replaced.

• The repair work in the south-western minaret of Taj Mahal wasfurther carried out by providing missing inlay bars on its outersurface.

1985-86 The lower arches and marble jali in the main cenotaph: Indian Archeology• Soot, grease, dust and dirt were removed by applying a pack of Review - 1985-86

magnesium trisilicate and aluminum silicate containing a little teepol,ammonium hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide. This was followed bytin- use of organic solvents like ethylene dichloride, benzene andtriethanolamine. The treated surface was finally cleaned with cottonswabs soaked in distilled water.

• In the first tier of the south western minaret, broken and worn outmarble stones of veneer, railing and profusely decayed moldedbrackets were replaced with new ones.

• Door shutters of Mughal pattern were provided to door apertures ofthe north-western, eastern, south-eastern minarets and to dooropenings of die north-western burji at the first floor of die mosqueto die western side of the main mausoleum.

• \t lime concrete on the berm around die neck of die maindome was laid out. ,

• In order to render the roof of the main mausoleum watertight,decayed lime concrete on floors of angle kiosks flanking the maindome was replaced by fresh lime concrete.

• Expansion joints of concrete slabs on the roof of the mainmausoleum were filled with Tarplastic.

• Damaged lime plaster on walls of corridors of the eastern wing ofSheesh Mahal were stripped off and re-plastering was carried outwith special lime in accordance with the original

• Two cracked stones of the marble veneer on the north-eastern wallof the antechamber of the main mausoleum were repkced with newones.

• 'Hie cracked portion of the panel of marble veneer on the westernv. all of the large semi-domical alcove at the southern facade of themain mausoleum was stripped off. It has floral designs carved in basrelief. A marble bidi carved with the original was inserted.

• Joints of marble stones on domes of kiosk of Mehman Khanamosque and of eastern Naubat Khana was recessed and pointed forrendering them watertight.

• \n out flagstones on the floor at the south-western side of thesouthern facade of the main entrance gate were replaced with newor-es. Two additional steps of red sandstone, each flanking theoriginal red sandstone steps on either side, were provided to makethe movement of visitors easier.

• Repairs to dalatis of the north-western quadrangle at forecourt wasfurther earned out by way of rc-plastcring walls and ceilings andrendering colour wash over the plastered surface.

• Broken and missing chhajja stones were restored by new ones andfresh lime concrete was laid out on roof-terraces.

• Five rooms of the eastern wing of the forecourt were also kept upfor rqiair.

• Hoors were re-paved with red sandstone, walls replastcred and


entrances provided with doors of Mughal pattern." Two rooms at the eastern gate and two rooms at the western gate of

the forecourt were re-plastered and floors were re-paved with newflagstones.

1986-87 The marble surface of upper arches inside the main cenotaph:" Superficial accretions of dust, dirt, soot and other atmospheric

pollutants causing yellowish ness was chemically cleaned with amixture of different chemicals and mud pack of magnesium trisilicateand aluminum silicate.

• Weathers and worn out lime plaster on walls of corridors of SheeshMahal was removed and re-plastered as per originaL

" The marble panel with black inlaid Arabic letter on each lateral wallin the cenotaph chamber has been replaced and the yellow and blackmarble bars of border were also replaced.

• In the first tier of the south-western minaret decayed and damagedmarble blocks of brackets, cbhajja railing, veneering and those ofgardens as well as worn out inlaid bars were replaced with new ones.

• The resetting of dislodged marble, stone chhajjas and railings of thesecond and third storeys were also attended.

• Decayed mould plaster of the Chhatri has been stripped off anddisturbed veneer stones on the outer face of both the storeys werereset and water tightened as per original.

• Weathered and decayed sandstone jails and railings of the plinth ofthe main mausoleum at the river side and flagstones of the floor infront of the main entrance gateway were replaced with new ones.

• Open joints of the pathways from the main entrance gateway to themain mausoleum were pointed.

South western chhatri of the Fatehpuri Mosque:• Dislodged stones of veneering were reset• Missing stones were restored.• Decayed stone of chhajjas and of the main facade were replaced with

new ones.• Cracks on the roof terrace were filled up with tarplasric compound

and lime mortar.


1987-19,88 The marble surface of the lower and upper arches on die exteriorwall of the main cenotaph:• Dust, dirt, grease, soot and odier oily accretions imparting

yellowness to the marble were removed using the clay packtechnique.

• Worn out decayed stones of dasa veneering and those of stc-ps ofStdi gate were replaced.

• Damaged stones of the chhajja and flagstones of the floor in thenorth-western quadrangle of the forecourt were replaced.

• Moulded plaster was done in the ceilings of dalans in accordancewith the original designs.

• Rooms in the northern wing of the eastern gate were provided with afloor, paved with stones and Mughal pattern dcx>rs.

• The red sandstone bidi facing north in the eastern side of main gatewas replaced and missing inlay bars restored.



• Weathered and missing veneering, dab and qued stones of westernenclosure- wall were replaced with new ones matching the originaland joints of the facade stones and those of the kangttras werepointed.

• Repairs to the Fatchpuri mosque were also taken up by resetting thedislodged veneering stones, restoring the main facade with new oneas per the original.

• Missing inlay pieces ofjamvas of prayer hall were also restored andthe joints of concrete roof filled.

• Worn out and missing carved railings and muttakas of south-easternSaheli Burj were restored.

• Damaged stones of dasa brackets, chhajjas, pillars of Saheli Burj nearKali mosque were replaced and the missing stones restored.

• Dislodged white marble stones of extrados of the main dome werereset and roof concreted and the joints of the main facade weregrouted.

1988-89 The exterior surface of the main mausoleum: Indian Archeology• Dust, dirt, tarry matter and other paniculate deposits resulting in the Review — 1988-89

appearance of stains of brownish yellow tint was cleaned usingaqueous mixture of ammonia, teepol, hydrogen peroxide,triethanolamine, etc.'

• Surface deposits of sticky paniculate matters were removed with apack of magnesium trisiKcate and ammonium silicate followed bythorough washing with distilled water.

• The exfoliated dasa stones, inlaid panels of the outer facade of themain gate and south-Owest comer Burj were suitably reset

• Decayed and dead concrete roof of dalans at the north-south ofeastern gate was removed and relaid as per original. The walls werere-plastered wherever necessary.

• Exfoliated dab, qued and facade stones of the western enclosure wallwere replaced and reset at pkces. The open joints were painted andwater tightened.

• Missing inky pieces of the floor of prayer hall of uFatehpuri Mosquewere restored with new ones on original pattern.

• Worn out and missing carved railings muttakas of south easternSaheli Burj were restored and repairs to the south-western Saheli Burjtaken up.

• Missing and broken railing and muttakas around the tombs and thecentral tank were replaced with new ones.

• The work of resetting the weathered, sunken and dislodged asteriskstones and diamond shaped marble stones of the South-easternportion of Chameli floor and putting a floating coat of special limemortar over the decayed lime floor of the central, south-eastern andsouthern side rooms at the first floor of main mausoleum wascontinued.

• Replacement of decayed, sunken and missing stones of the easternpavement of Taj with new ones and grouting of open joint of smallchhattris attached to the main dome of mausoleum in progress.

• The decayed and dead concrete roof terrace of the dalans of theeastern gate was removed and re-concreted. The walls were repairedand underpinned.

• Decayed and exfoliated ornamental stone panels in the north-


western comer of the main gate were replaced with new stones as perorigin?! design.

• Missing inlay pieces in black and white marble at the main gate werealso restored.

" The broken and missing red sandstone of the floor of the ChameliMahal were restored, maintaining the original pattern.

" The open joints of northern, western and eastern arches of the outerfacade were pointed with special mortar matching the original.

• Missing and broken spouts of marble terrace were restored.• Worn out and missing carved marble railing and muttakas and inlay

bars and pieces of the southern railing were also replaced with newones.

" Decayed and missing designs on the stones of the pavement runningwith the eastern enclosure wall was reproduced at several places onoriginal pattern and sunken stones were reset.

• Missing and dislodged stones of the western enclosure wall wererestored and reset

" Fallen guldastas of the gate were restored in the original fashion.

1990-91 Marble surface of eastern big arch of Taj Mahal: Indian Archeology• Yellowish brown accretions due to accumulation of smoke and soot Review — 1990-91

was treated chemically using liquor ammonia, teepol, hydrogenperoxide, methanol and triethanomamine in suitable proportions toremove these accretions.

• A paste of magnesium trisilicate and aluminum silicate in 1:3 ratiowas applied as a day pack for the removal of sticky matter andsurface was finally washed with distilled water.

• To protect the monument from the direct strike of water flow of theriver Yamuna and a nallah, bould pitching with wire meshing wasdone to a distance of four metres along the monument.

Western Gate:• Decayed plaster on parapet walls over dalans flanking the western

gate and on walls of rooms was removed and re-plastered in Kmecement and sand mortar.

• Decayed and exfoliated veneer stones towards south were replacedby new ones and bulged veneer stones and chajja were pointed.

Outer facade:• The eastern and western side marble stone arches were water

tightened by pointing the open joints with special lime mortar.«. Naubat Khana:

• The flooring with irregular hexagonal and square shaped stones wasrestored by replacing the decayed and broken stones, resetting thesunken ones and providing new stones at missing places.

• The sunken and decayed dasa stones were reset and replaced by newones.

" The brokcny/af railing was restored.• The decayed, broken pieces and missing railings and muttakas of red

sandstones were replaced with new ones.

Saheli Burj" Modem brick-paved courtyard in front of north-western side, was

removed and suitable garden was laid out.

Taj Mahal—An Annotated Bibliography 103

(facing forecourt) were closed with mild steel grill provided with glasswindow panels with a view to having a cloak room as a facility forthe visitors.

• The marble stone in panels damaged due to iron dowels was replacedin the main gate facing south.

Glass House Nursery:• The decayed plaster of the walls pf rooms and veranda on northern

facade was removed and cleaned and the wall surface re-plastered.• The missing lime concrete floors of rooms was relaid.• A barbed wire fencing to the north of the whole monument along

the river side was provided for the safety of the monuments since the •earlier fencing had submerged in flood deposits.

1992-93 Main mausoleum: Indian Archeology• Open joints of marble veneering on the eastern side were filled with Review — 1992-93

special Hme mortar to prevent water seepage.• Some of the decayed inlaid panels of outer facade were reset and

restored as per original.• The inlay work of the marble railing of the terrace was restored by

providing inlay bars .of black marble.• The restoration work of decayed red sandstone jail railing towards

the south of the main building was taken up.

Mehmankhana:" The red sandstone veneer joints were pointed." A portion of the damaged border with carved floral patterns on the

facade of central arch was restored as per original• In the same facade inlay work of guldasta was restored by providing

inky, bars of black and white marble.• The bulged and dislodged heavy veneer stones on the exterior of die

southern side were taken out and reset

Main entrance gate:• The red sandstone carved panels having floral patterns at plinth level

on the eastern side were restored with new ones as per originalpattern.

• Inlay work was restored by providing the black and white marblebars at the panels flanking the niches of western and southern.

• A decayed pilaster of red sandstone was replaced widi a new one. »• A M.S. gate was provided.

Eastern dalan:• Decayed red sandstone veneer was replaced including quaid and dab.• The open joints of veneering upto taqari level were pointed.

North western Saheli Bur}:• The missing red sandstone ornamental jail railing with mutakkas was

restored.• Northern and western boundaries were enclosed by providing a M.S

gnll railing.


Khaii-i-Alam Bagfa• The overhead tank for water supply to the fountain system of Taj

was repaired by underpinning, pointing and water proofing.• A damaged portion of the western side compound wall and steps

leading to an opening called Khan-i-Alam Khirki were repaired.

Gaushala:• Underpinned with lakhauri bricks and plastering of the walls and

ceilings of the rooms were carried out.

1993-94 The copper lightening conductors were provided to the main mausoleum . Indian Archeologyand to the minars of the north eastern and north western corners Review - 1993-94

Mosque:• Patch plastering, pointing and restoration of inky work was carried

out.• Red sandstone veneering in the interior of mosque, adversely

affected due to rusting of iron dowels and resulting in the veneerstone building was taken out and again placed in proper position.The decayed ones were also replaced by new stones.

V

Main mausoleum• The restoration work of decayed red sandstone jail railing towards

the south of the building was carried out.

Main gate• The ted sandstone veneer panels with embossed floral and

geometrical patterns, decayed by weathering at plinth level werereplaced.

• The restoration of decayed red sandstone flooring was taken up andwork is in progress.

South eastern corner bur):• The inlay work was restored.

Glass House nursery:• The works of underpinning, plastering and concrete flooring were

taken up and completed in the western side rooms.• The southern side rooms were also repaired by underpinning and

pointing of lakhauri brick walls.

Gaushala:

• The walls and ceilings of the southern side r<x>ms of the easterncourtyard were repaired by underpinning.

• A chajja stone collapsed from the roof of the room located on theright side of the entrance gate. The chajja and the supporting bracketstones were finished as per original.

Khan-i-Alam bagh• The gate was repaired by underpinning and pointing.• The collapsed compound wall near the western d<x>r was


restored.

1994-95 Main gate: Indian Archeology• The badly decayed inlay panels of the facade having geometrical Review — 1994-95

designs, grooves have been conserved by replacing the decayedones and providing fresh inlay pieces of white and black marblestones.

• I xxisc inlay pieces have also been properly fixed with speciallime mortar.

• The flooring stones, forming a pattern in a combination of redsandstone and buff sandstone, of the central hall of the gatewayttiat were decayed and sunken have been replaced by new ones ,matching the original pattern.

Gaushala monument:• The broken and missing sloping thajjas of red sandstone were

replaced with new stones." The walls were repaired by underpinning with lakhauri

brickwork.• Open joints have been water tightened with recessed pointing.

Glass house nursery:• The walls having decayed plaster were repaired by de-plastering

at first instance and re-plastering as per original pattern i.e. byretaining the moulding works.

• The cavities were repaired by underpinning with brick-work.• The decayed flooring of the western side was re-laid with fresh

concrete.

Mosque:« The decayed and broken red sandstone veneering, moulded

galta, niches and inlaid panels were repaired by providing freshstones for veneering and architectural members and inky piecesof white and black marble stone.

• Badly decayed and peeled off special lime plaster of the intradoshaving cut flower designs was replaced by replacing with similarmortar and matching it to the original pattern.

• The open joints of the outer facade and of the chhatris havebeen repaired with recessed pointing.

• Decayed sunken and broken pieces of flooring in the souttiernside of the mosque were replaced by new ones maintaining theoriginal pattern.

Main mausoleum of Taj Mahal:• The jail railing on die southern side widi nch geometrical

mouldings and muttaka (small stone pillars) in between the twojail railings with circular mouldings and flowered designs on thetop wherever damaged, broken or badly decayed lias beenreplaced with new red sandstone jail and muttaka of similar designand size.

• At the railing of marble terrace the four broken marble spoutswere replaced by new white marble spouts following the originalshape.


• The badly decayed, fractured and broken marble muttakas withcircular mouldings and flowered designs at the top were rqilaccdwith new ones fashioned as per die original ucsign.

" The two badly decayed railing stones of white marble havinggrooves for inlay-work on both sides were replaced with newones, complete with inlay work as per the original.

" The inlay work of black marble was provided to the other railingstones at the places where the same was missing.

• The open joints of marble veneenng of the outer facade of themain mausoleum, chajja stones and railing stones of the south-eastern minar were repaired by recessed pointing work withspecial lime mortar.

• The inlay work of black and yellow marble stones was restored atthe places it was missing int eh south eastern minar.

• ' An aluminium grill railing in wooden frame was provided alongthe marble jali screen at the upper graves to prevent visitors fromtouching the surface.

South western corner Burj• The partly collapsed and partly bulged wall of lakhauri brick work

was reconstructed after dismantling the bulged portion.• Bulged and broken stones and the sloping chajja near the western

gate were repaired by resetting the bulged ones and replacing thebroken ones.

• The decayed and dead roof concreting of the rooms near thewestern gate was removed and fresh lime concrete was relaid.

• The walls were repaired by underpinning and pointing work.1995-96 Main entrance gate: Indian Archeology

• The badly decayed inlay panels of red sandstone veneering have Review — 1995-96been replaced.

• Embossed floral panels and floral design dasa at die easternfacade was restored.

• On the southern side, the pandar dasa was restored as peroriginal.

• The inlay marble pieces of black and white marble were providedat the places where they were missing in the eastern and northernside.

Main mausoleum:• The outer facade was tightened by pointing with special lime

mortar." 'ITie inlay bars of black and yellow marble were provided at the

places where the same were found missing.• The decayed and damaged stones of galta and veneering in the

inner facade towards south west corner of cenotaph chamberwere replaced by providing the fresh ones as per original.

• Missing inlay bars of black marble have been provided in thesouth eastern comer minar and marble railing of the platformtowards the west and the north.

• The projected balcony of south eastern minar was repaired byresetting of the loose stones and by pointing.

• Decayed red sandstone jali and miittaka south of the mainmausoleum were replaced.


Mosque complex:• The decayed and peeled off plaster having painted design (cut

plaster work) in the tntenor wall faces was removed and the freshplaster with painted designs was done as per original pattern.

• The inlay work on the outer facade was also attended byproviding inlay bars at missing places.

• The decayed, sunken red sandstone floor with geometrical patternon the southern side of the mosque was repaired by providing thefresh stones at places the same were required as per original in anarea of 275 sq. m.

Mehman Khana complex:• 'l*he decyed and peeled off plaster with paintin work on the

interior and arches were replaced by providing special lime plaster.• The broken red sandstone chajja of the south-west corner chhatri

was replaced.• Pointing was done at the dome of the chattri and on the outer

facade towards the south of the Mehman Khana.

Enclosure wall and south-western Burji:• 'Hie bulged portion of the lakhauri brick wall was reconstructed as

per original.• Decayed stones of veneering and chajja near western gate were

replaced with new ones.• The outer facade of the wall was pointed.

South-Western Saheli Burj:• The loose and sunken stones were reset and the missing stones

at the floor of the tomb, channels and facade provided.• The entire wall surface has been water tightened by pointing.• The door of the eastern side enclosure wall was repaired and

provided with MS sheet

1996-97 • The decayed red sandstone panels of the fac;ade and missing Indian Archeologyinky pieces of the main entrance gate were attended to by Review — 1996-97replacing them with new stone panels and reproducing the sameembossed flowered design and new inlay pieces.

" A broken stone chajja on the front portion of the mam entrancegate was rq?laced with a new chajja.

• The missing inlaid bars of railing and marble screen of the mainmausoleum were replaced with new ones. „

• A wooden wailing with aluminium grill was placed around themarble screen of cenotaph chamber to prevent visitors fromtouching the screen.

• The decayed water channels of the Khan-i-Alam Bagh wereunderpinned, pointed and the decayed plaster replaced.

• A MS grill railing over a dwarf wall has been provided along theroad leading to the bagh.

South-West Saheli Burj:• Decyacd and sunken pathway stones were replaced and reset." Pointing carried out at the open joints of the lakliaun bnck wall

and stone flooring.


• Decayed plaster and concrete of roof relaid.• 'l"he broken stone chajja, missing pinnaces of the turrets have

been replaced.

Gaushala:• Walls of the northern cells were provided with fresh plastenng." 1 HOOTS provided with fresh lime concrete.• Bulged and collapsed lakhaun brick wall was reconstructed and

underpinned.• The bulged, broken and missing red sandstone chajja on die

southern side was replaced with a new chajja.

Documents

45 x 76 cm - International Council on Monuments and Sitesfleblanc/projects/2001-2007_GCI... · 2012-07-27 · i. The Taj Mahal seen from across the river Jumna; three small boats