Taj Mahal - Architecture

Taj Mahal - architecture documentation

1. A tear on the face of Eternity ~ Ravindranath Tagore T A J M A H A L

2. I n t r o d u c t i o n The Taj Mahal located at the west side of the Yamuna river , TAJ GANJI,  Agra , Uttar Pradesh,  India The Taj Mahal represents the finest and most sophisticated example of Mughal architecture. It consists of five major constituents, namely Darwaza (main gateway), Bageecha (gardens), Masjid (mosque), Naqqar Khana (rest house) and Rauza (main mausoleum). The architects Ustad Ahmad Lahauri and Mir Abd-ul Karim . H i s t o r y The construction of Taj Mahal started in the year 1631 was finally completed in the year 1653. It was soon after the completion of Taj Mahal that Shah Jahan was deposed by his own son Aurangzeb and was put under house arrest at nearby Agra Fort. Shah Jahan , himself also, lies entombed in this mausoleum along with his wife.

3. About Islamic Architecture Concept of Space Sacred vs. Profane Permanent vs. Temporal Concept of Man on Earth Life Cycle of a Grave Geometric Drivers Patterns in Nature Sufi Elements on Design Environmental Constraints Form addresses climate Forms follow Function or visa versa? PRINCIPLES Courtyard Garden Wa ter,Char Bagh Technology Dome ,Arch Bara Dari Awan Mashabia Chadar China Kari ELEMENTS

4. P L A N O F T A J M A H A L Tomb Ornamental Pool Mosque Guest House Main Gateway Forecourt Servant Quaters Royal Tombs Taj Ganj Yamuna Char Bagh

5. Tomb Mosque Guest House Main Gateway Servant Quaters Royal Tombs Char Bagh Ornamental Pool Forecourt

6. Concepts, Symbolism and Interpretation This theme, common in most Mughal funerary architecture, permeates the entire complex and informs the detailed design of all the elements. A number of secondary principles also inform the design, of which hierarchy is the most dominant. A deliberate interplay is established between the building's elements, its surface decoration, materials, geometric planning and its acoustics. In Dimensional organisation- The Taj complex is ordered by grids Symmetry and geometric planning played an important role in ordering the complex. In the Taj Mahal , the hierarchical use of red sandstone and white marble contributes manifold symbolic significance GRID AND GOLDEN SECTION IN TAJ MAHAL

7. 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 area.

8. The dome 60 m 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. The drum is also intricately designed with superb inlay work. Taj Mahal - Islamic inscription on the gold gilded Finial

9. Yamuna River Well Foundation Foundation of Taj Mahal

10. Flooring Pattern

11. Calligraphy

12. Storm water management

13. WATER SYSTEM

14. References: ~ IRJABS (Study on the Architecture of Taj Mahal ) ~ Ar. NAVIN PIPLANI – TEDx ~ History Channel ~ Google (images) ~ www.archnet.org ~ www.issuu.com/taj-mahal_9282012.html Submitted to : Ar. Ketki Moholkar Submitted by : Ankit Sinha , Kritika Verma and Aditi Borkar