The
Taj Mahal entire constituents are of marble especially known as the Makrana
marble 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. It
has taken a lot of craftsmanship of the workers hired for this job. One can
study the intricate work done inside the monument to find out how well and systematic
the creation has been.
Each section of this unique monument blends harmoniously with each other to
create a perfect unit. Broadly, the Taj Mahal complex can be divided into distinct
parts to understand its design and architecture. These are:
When one looks at the Taj from a distance it looks like an miniature object
but the surprise element is that it is not as small as it looks. It is a massive
monument standing tall. But, the minute you would enter the open square before
the main entrance, you will be surprised to find the Taj Mahal disappear from
your sight.
Actually, the Taj is hidden by the massive red sandstone gateway within this
square. The massive Taj Gateway was completed in the year 1648 and stands 30
m high.
The beauty of the Taj Mahal is done up in a more better way by the garden that
was planned in the Persian style it is better known as 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
Tomb: The tomb stands on its own marble which rests on a red sandstone platform.
Four tall pillars, 138 ft each, rise up from the corners of the white marble
plinth are topped with eight windowed cupolas. This has been made to replicate
throne of God in paradise.
Immediately below the dome is the tomb of Mumtaz Mahal which is centrally lined
with the main entrance. Besides Mumtaz Mahal's tomb is the tomb of Shahjahan.
The tomb of Shahjahan was not actually intended to be there but Aurangzeb placed
it there thus breaking the symmetry.
Pietra Dura: The crypt and the cenotaphs at the Taj carry pietra dura
decoration of a fabulous unexcelled elegance. As Percy Brown, the noted art
historian observes, the Taj "resembles the spirited sweep of a brush rather
than the slow laborious cutting of a chisel".
As many as 35 different types of precious stones have been used on a single
bloom-turquoise, jade, agate, coral, lapis Lazuli, onyx, bloodstone, cornelian,
jasper, garnet and malachite used to fashion blooms of fuchsias, lily, honeysuckle,
etc.
The ninety-nine names of Allah have been used to decorate the eastern and western
sides of Mumtaz's grave in the crypts. Today, much is left to the imagination
of the visitors as most of the precious stones have been plundered or destroyed
in the years when Taj Mahal fell into insignificance.
The
Taj Mahal entire constituents are of marble especially known as the Makrana
marble 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.
The
Tomb: The tomb stands on its own marble which rests on a red sandstone platform.
Four tall pillars, 138 ft each, rise up from the corners of the white marble
plinth are topped with eight windowed cupolas. This has been made to replicate
throne of God in paradise. 