Taj Mahal Architecture 
The
city of Agra is world famous for the Taj Mahal, built by the Mughal emperor Shahjahan
in memory of his beloved wife. However, it is also famous for the Agra Fort, which
is a veritable treasure trove of the Mughal architectural tradition. The various
buildings within this sprawling fort complex represent the assimilation of different
cultures, which was the mark of the Mughal period.
MUGHAL STYLE OF
ARCHITECTURE The structure of Taj Mahal adheres to the Islamic style
(Mughal style) of architecture, which flourished in India during the medieval
period. The Islamic style of architecture is also referred to as the Indo-Islamic
style of architecture. This magnificent monument is set 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 high plinth, 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 dome stands atop
the roof of the Taj that is surrounded by four chhatris (domed canopy, supported
by pillars, mainly seen in Hindu or local monuments and sometimes in Islamic buildings).
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 made of 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 Taj Mahal and the gardens
in front of it can be approached through an arched gateway.
TAJ MAHAL
- THE GATEWAY 
The
garden according to the holy Koran is symbolic of paradise. As Islam was born
in the arid region of Arabia, the vision of a lush green, well-laid out and watered
garden came to be associated with life and paradise. In the course of time green
became symbolic of Islam. Muslims also venerate water because it was scare in
the Arabian Desert- the birthplace of Islam. According to Islam there are four
rivers in paradise one each of water, milk, wine and honey. The concept of these
four rivers flowing through the garden of paradise led to the Charbagh style of
garden planning.
Leaving the entrance gateway you can see a sprawling
garden in front of you, which goes all the way up to the plinth of the Taj Mahal.
The beauty of the Taj 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 watercourse, which neatly divides the
garden into four equal parts and heightens the flawless symmetry of the entire
complex.
The canals and waterworks within 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 the Taj 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 Mahal each 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 breathtaking environs of the Taj. The water channels crisscrossing
the garden used to be full of colorful fish of various species. Special care was
taken to maintain the garden, its waterworks as members of the royal family frequented
it and stayed in the guesthouse (mehmankhana) near it.
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