Taj Mahal - a Architectural Brilliance

With a clear sky as the back drop, and a lush green lawn, fountains and waterways in front, the first glimpse of Taj Mahal, leaves one spell bound. On the first glance or on meticulous examination, this perfectly symmetrical marble wonder is flawless in appearance. Scientific planning, brilliant architecture, and an ardent endeavor to make an immaculate creation, are clearly seen in this perfection work of art.

Starting from the arched entrance gate, there are five main divisions of the Taj – The gate or Darwaza, the Lawn or Bageecha, the Mausoleum or Taj Mahal, the flanking mosques and the rest houses. The main gate which is a massive arched structure made in red sand stone gives a spectacular view of Taj Mahal. A perfect photo-finish is achieved with a beautiful lawn, the huge dome of Taj Mahal, four accompanying Minarets, and a vast expanse of the sky at the back.

From the gate one enters the elegantly laid-our garden that is between the Taj and the main gate. The well groomed lawn with its waterways, fountains, lawns and trees, is set in a symmetrical and well planned manner. The waterways merge at the pool in the centre, where there is an elevated platform with benches that give a complete view of the Taj. The Lawn lead to the mausoleum, which is an enormous structure with a perfectly symmetrical appearance obtained by the huge dome, the tapering minarets, the square tomb, the pilasters, etc. The tapering minarets, on the four sides of the minaret along with the domes at the centre, give the impression as if the building in rising into the sky.

The milky white mausoleum is made of the fines of Makrana marbles, using a mix of Persian, Central Asian, and Islamic architecture. The walls are covered with Jali (net) works of beautiful floral motifs. Around the arch at the entrance, there are calligraphic works with verses from the Quran. Each letter that is uniform in size appears to be animated. The architectural design uses the interlocking arabesque concept, in which each element stands on its own and perfectly integrates with the main structure. It uses the principles of self-replicating geometry and symmetry of architectural elements.

The architects, who were aware of the illusory effects that can be created by light and distance, used certain techniques that deceives the eyes, and enhances the beauty of the structure. For instance, the plinth of the main tomb varies in height at different places and a convexity is given to the plinth at the centre of each arch so that building does not appear as if it is falling. The alcoves, balconies in each minaret, chhatris near the dome, and projection in the facades also allow a beautiful mixing of light and shadow.

The tombs of Shah Jahan and his wife Mumtaz Mahal are actually located in a shadowy burial crypt. The tombs have special inlay designs. Above them, in the main chamber are false tombs, a common practice in mausoleums built during the Mughal period. Light is admitted into the central chamber by finely cut marble screens. The echo in this high-domed chamber is worth hearing, and there is always somebody there to demonstrate it.