Taj Mahal (@)

Presented by:ABHISHEK PATEL ASHISH PITRODA

SUBMITED BY: BIRVA GANDHI

History of Architecture

Simplified diagram of the Taj Mahal floor planSimplified diagram of the Taj Mahal floor plan


Site plan of Taj MahalSite plan of Taj Mahal

This tomb also lies within a walled chahar

bagh layout: the garden divided in four,

though the tomb does not lie at the

intersection of the axes, but at the end

overlooking the river.

A square pool with a platform marks

the center of the garden and links the

four channels.

The platform, defined by four freestanding

minarets has a mosque and ablution pool to the

west, and a guesthouse and pool to the east.


Simplified diagram of the Taj Mahal floorSimplified diagram of the Taj Mahal floor

•This structure is beautiful because it is well

proportioned, sophisticated, controlled colour

scheme, high craftmanship, detailed inlay and

moulding work and good caligraphy.


HISTORY OF TAJ MAHALHISTORY OF TAJ MAHAL

The Taj Mahal in Agra India is considered one of the best

examples of Mughal Architecture in India. The history of the Taj Mahal

is one of the great love stories of the world.

The most perfect visual metaphor for the paradise garden

created by the Mughals is the Taj Mahal, the tomb built for Shah Jahan’s

beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal.

The Persian couplets inscribed on the entranced gateway make

the imagery explicit: “ Hail, blessed space happier than the garden of

Paradise!, lofty building higher than the divine throne!”



The most expensive white

marble was brought to Agra.

The structure combines

ingredients of Persian, India, Islamic

and Turkish styles of

architecture.

It took twenty-two years to complete the construction of this

architectural wonder.

As per the records twenty thousand people were employed to

work on this magnanimous project, which cost the Mughal emperor

thirty-two million Rupees.


The central focus of the complex is the tomb.

This large, white marble structure stands on a

square plinth and consists of a symmetrical building with

an iwan (an arch-shaped doorway) topped by a large dome

and finial.

The base structure is essentially a large, multi-

chambered cube with chamfered corners, forming

an unequal octagon that is approximately 55

meters on each of the four long sides.



TAJ MAHAL’ TOMBTAJ MAHAL’ TOMB

The marble dome that surmounts the tomb is the most

spectacular feature.

Its height of around 35 meters is about the same as the

length of the base, and is accentuated as it sits on a cylindrical

"drum" of about 7 metres high.

Because of its shape, the dome is often called an onion

dome or amrud.

The top is decorated with a lotus design, which also

serves to accentuate its height.

The shape of the dome is emphasised by four smaller

domed chattris (kiosks) placed at its corners.

The lotus motif is repeated on both the chattris and

guldastas.


Inside the Taj MahalInside the Taj Mahal

•The Taj Mahal is situated more than 900 ft. (275 m.) away from the entrance at the opposite end of the garden. Towering almost 200 ft. (76m.) in height, the tomb stands on its own marble plinth, which rests on a red sandstone platform that serves to level the land as it slopes to the river. Four tall minarets rise up from the corners of the white marble plinth. They taper to a majestic height of 138 ft and are crowned with eight windowed cupolas.

•The marble mausoleum is square in plan with chamfered corners. Each facade of the tomb is composed of a grand iwan framed by bands of calligraphy.


Inside the Taj MahalInside the Taj Mahal

•The doorways inside these iwans are also adorned with calligraphy. The iwan is flanked on both sides by small double arches one over the other. They are rectangular while the arched alcoves of equal size at the angles of the tomb are semi-octagonal.

•Each section in the facade is well demarked on both sides by attached pilasters which rising from the plinth level of the tomb rise above the frieze and are crowned by beautiful pinnacles with lotus buds and finials. The pinnacles ornament the superstructure and help along with the other features to break the skyline gracefully.


Interior of MahalInterior of Mahal

Jali screen surrounding the cenotaphs

Tombs of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal


Interior of Taj MahalInterior of Taj Mahal

• The interior of the mausoleum comprises a lofty central chamber, a crypt immediately below this and four octagonal corner rooms originally intended to house the graves of other royal family members.

•Above the tombs is a Cairene lamp, the flame of which is supposed to never burn out.

•Marble screen of trelliswork surrounds the graves. Both tombs are exquisitely inlaid with semiprecious stones.

•The acoustics of the building are superb with the domed ceiling being designed to echo chants from Koran and musician's melodies.

•It is suggested that one walk around the outside of the tomb, before retrieving your shoes, to appreciate it from all sides.








Calligraphy on large pishtaqCalligraphy on large pishtaq

•Throughout the complex, passages from the Qur'an are used as decorative elements. Recent scholarship suggests that the passages were chosen by Amanat

Khan. The texts refer to themes of judgment and include

The exterior decorations of the Taj Mahal are among the finest to be found in Mughal architecture.As the surface area changes the decorations are refined

proportionally. The decorative elements were created by applying paint, stucco stone inlays, or carvings. In

line with the Islamic prohibition against the use of anthropomorphic forms, the decorative elements can be grouped into either calligraphy abstract forms or

vegetative motifs.


http://www.taj-mahal-india-tours.com/index.html



Education

Taj Mahal (@)