Taj Mahal
Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. Masons, marble workers, mosaicists, and decorators working under the supervision of Ustad Ahmad Lahori, architect of the emperor. 1632-1653 C.E. Stone masonry and marble with inlay of precious and semiprecious stones; gardens
The Taj Mahal is an excellent example of the golden age of Muslim architecture. The design of the complex incorporates Iranian features such as octagonal shape, Indian features such as the bulbous dome and Asian features such as cylindrical minarets. Muslim decorative arts include calligraphy, geometry and flower forms. Most important was the ideal of symmetry as a major element in the design of the Taj Mahal
Form and Content:
- Plan
- enter via forecourt; would have had shops
- pass through gateway; inlaid red sandstone (like Humayan and Safdarjung's tombs)
- long water channel (with fountain jets) leads to Taj
- surrounded by gardens (char bagh)
- Taj set on raised panel at north end of gardens
- surrounded by symmetrical buildings; mosque and guest house (exact function unknown)
- Exterior
- topped by bulbous dome and 4 minarets of equal height
- minarets are usually for mosques, here they are ornamental instead of functional
- moghul emphasis on balance and harmony
- Interior
- hasht bishist (eight levels) floorplan references eight levels of muslim paradise
- eight halls and side rooms connect to a central space in a cross axial form
- the center holds Mumtaz's remains in a raised cenotaph
- Shah Jahan was buried next to her decades later
- Decoration
- walls are inscribed with quranic verses
- white marble is carved an inlaid with semi-precious stones
- pietra dura technique using italian methods (and workmen from Italy!)
- mughal architecture tended to use red stone for exterior and white marble for decorations or interiors of tombs or holy places
- perhaps derived from ancient hindi practices
- this makes the Taj an outlier!
- Gardens
- elements and design of pleasure gardens
- Char Bagh design usually places building at the center of four quadrants
- instead the taj is at the end of the gardens
- by being elevated on the river it is visible from many different angels
- makes use of the river for waterways and fountains (some of the original clay plumbing still works)
- impressive engineering
Function:
- Mausoleum and gardens for Mumtaz Jahan
- exceptional for scale, surrounding gardens, ornamentation, and use of white marble
- Mausoleum and gardens for Mumtaz Jahan
- exceptional for scale, surrounding gardens, ornamentation, and use of white marble
Context:
- Built by Shah Jahan
- 5th mughal ruler
- tomb for his favorite wife Mumtaz, who died in childbirth
- known as "The Luminous Tomb" during the mughal rule
- Located in Agra on banks of Yamuna River
- this provided easy access to water for fountains and irrigation
- Sunni muslims usually prefer open air burials, but the Mughal's established their own tradition
- demonstrates Indian influence in syncretic culture
- Based on Humayun's Tomb
- Built by Shah Jahan
- 5th mughal ruler
- tomb for his favorite wife Mumtaz, who died in childbirth
- known as "The Luminous Tomb" during the mughal rule
- Located in Agra on banks of Yamuna River
- this provided easy access to water for fountains and irrigation
- Sunni muslims usually prefer open air burials, but the Mughal's established their own tradition
- demonstrates Indian influence in syncretic culture
- Based on Humayun's Tomb
- Basis for Safdar Jung's Tomb (last mughal tomb)
- interpreted as a symbol of love - probably not true
- may have been built even if Mumtaz had not died
- may be symbolic representation of the divine throne god will sit at on judgment day
- or maybe a replica of a house in paradise
- built to glorify the mughal rule and emperor
