Taj
Mahal Architecture
TAJ MAHAL - THE MAUSOLEUM
The
central path within the garden leads you to the Taj Mahal, which is placed on
a high plinth (platform). The plinth is 6.7 m (21.98 ft) high and covers an
area of 95 sq m (1,022.57 square feet). A double staircase facing the entrance
to the tomb is the only way, which takes you on top of it. This plinth or pedestal
is an ideal place from where you can have a panoramic view of the surroundings,
which includes the lush green Charbagh in the front and the riverfront at the
backside. From here, you can also admire the white towering structure of the
Taj.
There are four elegant tapering minarets, one on each corner of the plinth.
Each of the minarets is 41.6 m (136.48 ft) high and is capped by a small cupola.
The minarets, not only balance the main structure of the mausoleum, but are
also placed in such a way that in case of a mishap, they do not fall over the
main edifice. Each pillar has a letter written on it, which put together spell
the word ar-rahman (all merciful) - one of the many names of Allah.
The main structure of the Taj Mahal is square and is beveled at its corners.
Each side of the Taj Mahal is 56.6 m (185.69 ft) long. On each facade arched
recesses arranged in two stories flank a high iwan in the center. The top border
of the iwan on each side rises higher than the rest of façade, thus concealing
the neck of the dome behind it.
A central bulbous dome crowns the magnificent structure. This dome is further
surrounded by four chhatris (domed canopy, supported by pillars/cupola). Each
of which is topped by a small finial. The dome is an important component of
the Islamic style of architecture, as it is believed to be a link between heaven
and earth. While the square structure of the edifice represents the material
world, the dome symbolizes the vault of heaven. The octagonal part symbolizes
the transitional phase between heaven and earth. The dome is topped by a brass
finial, whose tip rises to a height of 73 m above the ground. Above the finial
is the realm of transcendence. The entire structure of the dome is designed
as a replica of God’s throne in paradise, where a gigantic pearl dome stands
supported by four corner pillars. According to Islam the rivers of grace flow
through this dome. The outer walls of the Taj Mahal are decorated in a number
of places with shallow marble carving apart from the elegant pietra dura work,
which can be seen near arched recesses and borders.
The
entrance to the tomb leads you to the central hall, which houses the false tombs
and has four small octagonal halls, grouped around it. The original graves are
located in a crypt, which is directly below the central hall. The four smaller
rooms were originally created for housing the graves of other members of the
royal family. The tomb of Mumtaz Mahal, in whose honor the Taj Mahal was built,
lies directly below the dome. The tomb is placed in such a manner that it is
in direct alignment with the main entrance. The tomb of Shahjahan is much larger
and is placed next to that of his beloved queen.
The tombs are decorated with exquisite pietra dura (stone inlay) work. Apart
from unexcelled inlay work the tomb of Mumtaz Mahal is inscribed by 99 different
names of Allah. It is said that the royal graves once laid inside a gem encrusted
gold railing, which was later removed and replaced by an octagonal, all marble
lattice (jali-perforated screen) screen of the most exquisite craftsmanship.
Delicate inlay work can be seen on the surface of the screen. The floral decorations
on the screen are amazing. Some flowers created on the screen are made up of
as many as 64 pieces. The different sections of the screen are carved out of
a single piece of marble. Various sections of the screen are joined together
with gilded fasteners and the entrance is fashioned out of jasper, in the Turkish
style.
Apart from the decorations on the tombs and the intricately carved out marble
screen in the central hall, the outer walls of the Taj are decorated with low
relief marble carving of sheer elegance. But it is the pietra dura or inlay
work on the interior of the Taj as well as on its exteriors that is beyond compare.
Its beauty, intricacy, flowing lines and floral patterns, belie the fact that
all of it had been achieved by the extremely slow and painstaking process involving
the use of the chisel on the hard surface of the marble. There is pietra dura
work everywhere in the Taj-on the tombs, on the cenotaph and on the main edifice.
It is said that as many as 35 different types of precious and semi-precious
stones were used in the inlay work done on the Taj. Turquoise, jade, agate,
coral, lapis lazuli, onyx, bloodstone, carnelian, jasper, garnet and malachite
were used to decorate flowers like lily and honeysuckle. Carnelian and lapis
lazuli were preferred for their color and luminosity. Today much is left to
imagination as much of the inlay work has been stripped of its precious and
semi-precious stones by plunderers down the years.
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