TAJ MAHAL GARDEN

THE CHAR BAGH

By:SALWA SHAFIQ AR-017

DURESHAM ILYAS AR-040NIDA SAMI AR-054

Taj Mahal is an extensive complex of buildings and gardens that extends over 22.44 hectares and includes subsidiary tombs, waterworks infrastructure, the small town of 'Taj Ganji' and a 'moonlight garden' to the north of the river.

It was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal.

TAJ MAHAL

Location: Agra, India. Built: 1632-1653. Architect: Ustad Ahmad

Lahauri, and Mir Abd-ul Karim.

Architectural Style: Mughal (a style that combines elements from Persian, Turkish and Indian architectural styles.)

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BASIC INFORMATION

Style: Persian Divided Into: Four

Parts Canals: Two

(crossing in the center)

Flowerbeds: Sixteen

Trees: Cyprus & Fruit Bearing

Type: formal and private

Plan: geometric

TAJ MAHAL GARDEN(THE CHAR BAGH)

The gardens in the Mughal era were heavily influenced by the Persian style.

The Holy Quran describes the paradise as a garden, so we see that most of Mughal monuments mostly always accompany beautiful gardens as representation of heaven.

The Taj mahal garden are no exception and have been designed in the “charbagh” style, that is, divided into four parts, the number four being a sacred number in Islam.

ELEMENTS OF CHARBAGH

Symbolism of Charbagh:

The Taj Mahal of Agra, is the usage of number four and its multiples. Since four is considered the holiest number in Islam, all the arrangements of Charbagh

Garden of Taj Mahal are based on four or its multiples.

Concept of Paradise:

A paradise which, according to Islamic beliefs, consists of four rivers: one of water, one of milk, one of honey, and one of wine.

This garden, filled with flowers, fruits, birds, leaves, symmetry, and delicacy, served many functions along with portraying strong symbolic or abstract meanings about paradise.

Symbolism of trees:

The trees of the Taj garden are either that of Cyprus (signifying death) or of the fruit bearing type (signifying life) and even they are arranged in a symmetrical pattern

The planner of the Taj preferred to add to the gorgeous view of the monument from

the front by providing these delicate bud-shaped fountains in the centre. This is the point where the two water channels intersect dividing the garden into

four sections.

The Al-KawtharThe Celestial Pol Of

Abundance

Architectural attributes

These gardens alone cover an area of 300 meter by 300 meter distance and are based on geometric arrangements of nature.

Four is considered the holiest number in Islam, all the arrangements of Charbagh Garden of Taj Mahal are based on four or its multiples.

In each quarter portion, there are 16 flowerbeds that

have been divided by stone-paved raised pathways.

Water channels is

provided by neat geometric paving.

It is said that even each of the flowerbed was planted with 400

plants.

The Taj Mahal garden is unusual in that the main element, the tomb,

is located at the end of the garden. With the discovery of Mahtab Bagh or "Moonlight Garden" on the other side of the Yamuna,

Significance of Yamuna lake

The Yamuna river itself was incorporated into the garden's design

and was meant to be seen as one of the rivers of Paradise.

Early accounts of the garden describe its profusion of

vegetation, including abundant roses, daffodils, and fruit trees By the end of the 19th century, the British Empire they

changed the landscaping to their liking which more closely resembled the formal lawns of London

FLOWERS OF TAJ GARDEN:

hibiscus

THANKYOU