Wednesday, January 3, 2024

Taj mahal

· The Taj Mahal is considered a symbol of eternal love and is often described as a "monument to love" or a "poem in marble." The garden layout, water channels, and the mausoleum itself are designed to evoke a sense of paradise or an earthly representation of the concept of Bahisht.

· Historical Background:

The Taj Mahal was commissioned by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his queen Arjumand Bano Begum, known as Mumtaz Mahal.
Mumtaz Mahal was born in 1593 and passed away in 1631 during childbirth. Her remains were initially buried in Zainabad garden and later transferred to Agra for final entombment in the Taj Mahal.

Architectural Elements:

· The charbagh (four-part garden) layout, the use of water features, and the symmetry in design are all elements that have symbolic significance.

· The garden, divided into four parts, represents the earthly paradise, and the flowing water channels and reflecting pools symbolize the rivers of paradise.

· The central dome of the mausoleum, often seen as a representation of the celestial dome, further adds to the celestial symbolism.

· The Taj complex is entered through a monumental red sandstone gateway, framing the mausoleum beautifully.

Structural Details:

The tomb is a square with chamfers forming eight sides, creating contrasting planes and shade effects.
Four tall, tapering minarets (132 feet high) stand at the corners of the terrace.
The main body of the building is topped with a drum, dome, and four cupolas, forming a beautiful skyline.
The tomb's plinth, walls, and drum-dome are in perfect proportion to one another.

· Construction Details:

· Originally, the land where the Taj Mahal presently stands belonged to the Kachhwahas of Ajmer (Rajasthan). The land was acquired from them in lieu of four havelis as is testified by a court historian, Abdul Hamid Lahauri, in his work titled the Badshah-Namah and the firmans (royal decrees).

· Artisans and craftsmen were sourced from across the Mughal Empire, Central Asia, and Iran. While the chief architect is often believed to be Ustad Ahmad Lahori.

· Local bricks were used for internal constructions, while white marble came from Makrana in Rajasthan.

· Semi-precious stones for inlay work were sourced from various regions, including India, Ceylon, and Afghanistan.

· Red sandstone for construction was obtained from quarries in Sikri, Dholpur, etc.

Timeline of Construction:

· Construction began in 1632, and the entire complex was completed in 1648, taking 17 years.

· Interior Arrangements:

o The interior features a crypt below and a vaulted, octagonal tomb chamber above, connected by corridors.

o Carved and perforated jalis (latticed screens) allow light into every part of the building.

· Embellishments:

o Four types of embellishments are used on the interior and exterior surfaces: stone carvings in high and low relief, delicate marble jalis and volutes, arabesques with pietra dura, and calligraphy with the inlay of jasper in white marble to write Quranic verses.

o Calligraphy serves both as a decorative element on the walls and a continuous connection with the Almighty.

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