TAJ MAHAL

HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE III

The Taj Mahal represents the finest and

most sophisticated example of Mughal
architecture. The distraught Mughal
Emperor Shah Jahan commissioned the
mausoleum upon the death of his
favourite wife Mumtaz Begum.

Today it is one of the most famous and

recognisable buildings in the world and
the white domed marble mausoleum is
the most familiar part of the monument.
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.

Construction began in 1632 AD, on the

south bank of the River Yamuna in Agra,
and was substantially complete by 1648
AD
HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE III

Plan of the complex

Tom
b

Guest
House Ornamental
Pool

Main
Gatewa
y

Foreco
urt

Taj
Ganj

Yamun
a
Mosq
ue

Char
Bagh

HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE III

Servant
Quaters

Royal Tombs

Guest
House
Tom
b
Mosq
ue

Ornamental
Pool

Main
Gatew
ay

Royal
Tombs

Char
Bagh
Servant
Quaters
HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE III

Forecou
rt

Taj Mahal Exterior

HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE III

The dome
The most remarkable part of the
Taj Mahal.
Enormous white onion shaped
dome crowning the tomb.
Located at the exact centre of
the structure, the main dome is
flanked by four smaller ones on it
four corners.

The onion shaped dome of the Taj

Mahal sits on a massive drum that
adds support to the circular top.
HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE III

The
drum is
also
intricatel
y
designed
with
superb
inlay
work.

The weight of the dome was distributed to the building on which it was
rested and then on to the iwans and arches, from which it was transferred to
the plinths and foundation.

HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE III

Chattris
The most prominent are the main
four chattris, which flank the four
corners of the onion dome.
Having an octagonal base
with small arches on each of the
eight sides
The top is nicely finished with an
inverted lotus with a gold finial
rising from its summit.
Chattris are also present at the
tops of the four tall minarets.
Open
lotus
ornamenting
the chattris

Similar Chattris
on the top of the
minarets
HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE III

Taj Mahal "Chattris" flank the

from four sides

main dome

Minarets
The Taj Mahal's minarets detached
from the main tomb
Standing tall at 138 feet were
intelligently designed with a slant
towards the outward side.
This was done so that in case of
any minaret topples, it causes no
damage to the central dome.

These four minarets rise from the plinth

with an eight sided base and a circular
pillar.
On the top of the pillar is an octagonal
balcony.

HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE III

The Taj Mahal is situated on a raised platform which is over 6

meters high.
The actual Tomb of Shah Jahan is in the basement below the
platform.
Surmounted by a curving dome which is over 60m long on
each side.
Height is over 60m at its pinnacle.
Platform
covers 94 sq m
HISTORY
OF ARCHITECTURE
III area.

The Interior
Staircases lead to the upper storey
that has four octagonal rooms.
The rooms also have balconies with
jali screens to allow light and air to
filter in to the chambers.

Balcony of the octagonal rooms

on top floor of the Taj Mahal
All the interior walls of the
mausoleum have huge arches that
have jalis to allow air and light.

Jali screens that allow

light and air inside the
Themasoleum
shining marble cladded on the walls are decorated with beautiful floral
patterns using carving and inlay work.
HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE III

Three-dimensional geometric
decoration and a central inlaid
motif highlight the interior of the
dome.
Following the theme of light, the
imitation of the sun could be seen
to symbolize Allah's divine presence
within the tomb of his devout
servant
HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE III

The inner dome is an

umbrella to the central
octagonal room.

Four rectangular rooms

are situated to the sides

The inner layer of the

dome, like the exterior, is
made of creamy white
marble.

Ornamentation and
Mouldings

INLAY WORK

HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE III

FLORAL
ORNAMENTATION

JALI WORK

HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE III

JALI RAILING

Flooring Pattern

HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE III

THANK YOU
Submitted By:Submitted To:Gaurav Nidariya
Meenakshi Singh
Divyansh Saini
Sem IV A

HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE III

Ar.