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Architecture of Taj Mahal

The structure of Taj Mahal to the Islamic style of architecture, which flourished in India during the medieval period. The Islamic style of architecture is also referredto as the Indo-Islamic style of architecture.

The various buildings within this sprawling fort complex represent the assimilation of different cultures, which was the mark of the Mughal period.

This magnificent monument isset around a Charbagh or ‘four garden’ plan, which is split by watercourses - a reflection of the Persian style. The Taj Mahal itself is not set within the Charbagh but is located towards the far end of the enclosure near the bank of river Yamuna.

Taj Mahal is built on a highplinth, which has four tapering minarets at each corner. At the center of this plinth is an octagonal structure comprising of a central hall, with four smaller halls grouped around it.

A central bulbous domestands atop the roof of the Taj that is surrounded by four chhatris.

The Taj Mahal is a two-storied structure, each having arched recesses with a highly decorated iwan in the middle. The tombs of Mumtaz Mahal and Shahjahan are actually located in the basement, while their replicas are placed directly above in the upper hall.

The Taj Mahal is entirely madeof white marble and its pure white walls are decorated with exquisite pietra dura (stone inlay) work. It is said that different types of precious and semi-precious stones were used in the intricate inlay work done on Taj Mahal.

In spite of its massive proportions, Taj Mahal looks weightless and airy. Each section of this unique monument blends harmoniously with each other to create a perfect unit. The TajMahal and the gardens in front of it can be approached through an arched gateway.

Leaving the entrance gateway you cansee a sprawling
garden in front of you, which goes all the way up to the plinth of the Taj Mahal. The beauty of theTaj Mahal is accentuated by the garden laid out in the Persian Charbagh (four garden plan) style. The entire area of the Taj complex is 580 m (1,902 ft) by300 m (984 ft), while the garden alone makes up an area of 300 m (984 ft) by 300 m (984 ft).

The Mughals originated from the arid regions of Central Asia. They never quiet lost their longing for water and often created well laid out gardens with canals and different waterworks. In the course of time they started building tombs, which were located at the center of beautiful gardens.

The Taj Mahal has an impressive water course, which neatly divides the garden into four equal parts and heightens the flawless symmetry of the entire complex.

The canals and water works with in the Charbagh provide a grand reflection of the Taj, further emphasizing the imagery of the paradise. The Muslims regard the Koran as a mirror image of a tablet in heaven, while the ‘Tree of Life’ grows upside down in the garden within the paradise.

The architects who built theTaj Mahal made the canals and the waterworks in the garden, with the purpose of generating an upside down image of the Taj, to gel with the divine inspiration.

After the completion of Taj Mahaleach garden within the Charbagh was divided into 16 flowerbeds, making a total of 64. It is said that each flowerbed was planted with 400 plants. Trees were planted carefully in accordance with the symmetry of the overall plan.

The trees, which were generally preferred, were either cypress (Cuprussus) (signifying death) or different fruit bearing trees (signifying life). These trees housed some of the most exotic birds, all of which added to the breath taking environs of the Taj.

The water channels crisscrossing thegarden used to be full of colorful fish of various species. Special care was taken to maintain the garden, its water works as members of the royal family frequented it and stayed in the guesthouse (mehmankhana) near it.




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