Editing Taj Mahal (section)

== Architecture and design ==
{{Main|Origins and architecture of the Taj Mahal}}
[[File:Taj Mahal-10 (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|The Taj Mahal complex is situated on a platform on the banks of the [[Yamuna]] River.]]

The Taj Mahal incorporates and expands on design traditions of [[Indo-Islamic architecture|Indo-Islamic]] and [[Mughal architecture]].<ref name="Arch">{{cite web |url=https://www.tajmahal.gov.in/architecture.aspx |title=Architecture of Taj Mahal |publisher=[[Government of India]] |access-date=1 December 2023 |archive-date=14 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240114192123/https://www.tajmahal.gov.in/architecture.aspx |url-status=live}}</ref> Inspirations for the building came from [[Timurid dynasty|Timurid]] and [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] buildings including the [[Gur-e Amir]] in [[Samarkand]] (the tomb of [[Timur]], progenitor of the Mughal dynasty) and [[Humayun's Tomb]] in Delhi which inspired the [[Charbagh]] gardens and [[hasht-behesht (architecture)|hasht-behesht]] plan of the site.{{sfn|Chaghtai|1938|p=146}}{{sfn|Koch|2006|p=85-88}} The building complex employs symmetrical constructions with the usage of various shapes and symbols.<ref name="Arch" /> While the mausoleum is constructed of white [[marble]] inlaid with [[semi-precious stones]], red [[sandstone]] was used for other buildings in the complex similar to the Mughal era buildings of the time.{{sfn|Copplestone|1963|p=166}} The entire complex sits on a platform measuring {{convert|300|m|ft}} in length and {{convert|28.5|ft|m|order=flip}} in height on the banks of the [[Yamuna river]]. The platform is built with varying patterns of dark and light colored sandstone.<ref name="Arch2" />

=== Exterior ===
[[File:Taj Mahal in India - Kristian Bertel.jpg|thumb|The eight sided main structure with large arched doorways and [[minaret]]s on a square plinth]]
The mausoleum building is the central structure of the entire complex. It is a white marble structure standing on a {{convert|6|m|ft|adj=on}} high square [[plinth]] with sides measuring {{convert|95.5|m|ft}} in length. The base structure is a large multi-chambered cube with [[chamfer]]ed corners forming an eight-sided structure that is approximately {{convert|57.3|m|ft}} long on each of the four long sides.<ref name="ASI">{{cite web |title=World Heritage Sites – Agra – Taj Mahal |url=https://asi.nic.in/pages/Agra/HQ/monument |access-date=4 March 2024 |publisher=[[Archaeological Survey of India]]}}</ref>

The building has four identical sides with ''[[iwan]]s'' (arch-shaped doorways), topped by a large dome and [[finial]]. Each side of the iwan is framed with a {{convert|33|m|ft|adj=on}} high ''[[pishtaq]]'' (vaulted archway) with two similarly shaped arched balconies stacked on either side. This motif of archways is replicated on a smaller scale on the chamfered corner areas, making the design completely symmetrical.<ref name="Brit">{{cite web |title=Taj Mahal |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Taj-Mahal |access-date=4 March 2023 |publisher=Britannica |archive-date=24 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200524044021/https://www.britannica.com/topic/Taj-Mahal |url-status=live}}</ref> At the southern side of the platform, facing the garden, there are two flights of stairs on either side which are partly covered and provide the only access from ground level up to the mausoleum building.<ref name="Arch2" />

{{Multiple image
| align = right
| total_width = 350
| image1 = Dome Chhatris Spires - Taj Mahal - Agra 2014-05-14 3805.JPG
| caption1 = The large [[onion dome]] topped by a finial
| image2 = Taj Mahal finial-1.jpg
| caption2 = Finial, [[tamga]] of the [[Mughal Empire]]
|}}

The predominant feature of the mausoleum is the {{convert|23|m|ft|adj=on}} high marble dome that surmounts the tomb. The [[onion dome|onion shaped dome]] sits on a {{convert|12|m|ft|adj=on}} high cylindrical drum with an inner diameter of {{convert|18.4|m|ft|}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=Onion domes, bulbous domes |url=http://www.strombergarchitectural.com/products/domes/types/onion--bulbous--domes |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150507194519/http://www.strombergarchitectural.com/products/domes/types/onion--bulbous--domes |archive-date=7 May 2015 |access-date=4 March 2015 |publisher=Stromberg Architectural}}</ref> The dome is slightly asymmetrical and is topped by a {{convert|9.6|m|ft|adj=on}} high gilded [[finial]].<ref name="Arch" />{{sfn|Ahuja|Rajani|2016|pp=996–997}} The intermediate zone between the drum and the dome is supplanted by an ornamental moulding with a twisted rope design.<ref name="Arch2" />

The main dome is surrounded by four smaller domes or ''[[chattris]]'' placed at its corners, which replicate the onion shape of the main dome. The smaller domes are supported by columns which stand on the top of the main structure and help bring light to the interior of the building. Tall spires called ''guldastas'' extend from edges of walls which serve as decorative elements. The main and the smaller domes are decorated with a design resembling a [[lotus flower]].<ref name="Arch2">{{cite web |url=https://www.tajmahal.gov.in/the-taj-exteriors.aspx |title=Exterior of Taj Mahal |publisher=[[Government of India]] |access-date=1 December 2023 |archive-date=1 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231201030116/https://tajmahal.gov.in/the-taj-exteriors.aspx |url-status=live}}</ref> The domes are topped by decorative finials which uses Persian and Indian design elements.{{sfn|Bloom|Blair|2009|p=32}} The main finial was originally made of gold but was replaced by a copy made of gilded [[bronze]] in the early 19th century.<ref name="Arch2" /> The finial is topped by a moon, a typical [[crescent#Pre-Islamic and Islamic uses|Islamic motif]], whose horns point heavenward.{{sfn| Tillotson|1990}}

[[File:Taj Mahal N-UP-A28-a (cropped 2).jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|[[Minaret]]s on east side and their size compared to humans]]

Four [[minarets]] flank the tomb building, one at each corner of the plinth facing the chamfered corners. The four minarets, which are each more than {{convert|130|ft|m|order=flip}} tall, are symmetrically arranged on the corners facing the chamfered corners of the main building. Each minaret is composed of three almost equal parts with balconies at the intersection of the portions. The towers are also surmounted by smaller chattris and incorporate the same design elements as the main dome with a finial.<ref name="Arch2" /> Steps lead to the top of the tower with rectangular openings below the domes providing light and air on the top. The minarets were designed similar to traditional elements of a mosque, which are used by the [[muezzin]] to call for prayer. The minarets were constructed slightly oriented towards the outside of the plinth so that in the event of collapse, the material from the towers would tend to fall away from the tomb.<ref name="Arch2" />

[[File:Taj Mahal N-UP-A28-a (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|Southern facade showing the great [[pishtaq]], [[jali]] windows and [[Arabic calligraphy]]]] 

The external surfaces of the building are decorated with a number of delicate relief art adorned with various precious and semi-previous stones.<ref name="ASI" /> The decorative elements were created by applying paint, [[stucco]], stone inlays or carvings. In line with the Islamic prohibition against the use of anthropomorphic forms, the decorative elements can be grouped into either [[calligraphy]], abstract forms or vegetative motifs. The white marble [[dados]] consist of ornamental [[bas relief]] depictions of nature and plant based elements. The marble has been polished to emphasise the exquisite detailing of the carvings and the frames and archway [[spandrel]]s are decorated with [[pietra dura]] inlays of stylised geometric pattern of vines, flowers and fruits.<ref name="Anon" />

[[File:Detail of plant motifs on Taj Mahal wall.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|Plant motifs on walls]]

The domes and vaults of the sandstone buildings are worked with [[tracery]] of [[incised painting]] to create elaborate geometric forms. [[opus spicatum|Herringbone]] inlays define the space between the adjoining elements. White inlays are used in sandstone buildings, and dark or black inlays on the white marbles.<ref name="Creation History" /> Contrasting colors have been used to create a complex array of different geometric patterns across the mortared areas of the buildings. The floors and walkways are laid with [[tile]]s or blocks with contrasting colors and consisting of various [[tessellation]] patterns. The plinth is differentiated from the paved surface of the main platform by an interlocking pattern of octagonal white marble pieces set into four pointed stars made of red sandstone, surrounded by a border. The building has many lattice windows or ''[[jali]]s'' with interlocking hexagonal patterns.<ref name="Arch2" />

The gateway arches are bordered by [[Arabic calligraphy]] with [[Sura|passages]] from the [[Qur'an]]. Much of the calligraphy is composed of florid [[thuluth]] script made of [[jasper]] or black marble inlaid in white marble panels. Higher panels are written with slightly larger script to reduce the skewing effect when viewed from below.<ref name="Anon" /> The calligraphy on the southern gate roughly translates to "O Soul, thou art at rest. Return to the Lord at peace with Him, and He at peace with you."{{sfn|Koch|2006| p= 100}} The calligraphy on the buildings were believed to have been created in 1609 by [[Abdul Haq]], who was conferred the title of "Amanat Khan" by Shah Jahan.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tajmahal.gov.in/calligraphy.aspx |title=Calligraphy |publisher=[[Government of India]] |access-date=1 December 2023 |archive-date=14 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240114192139/https://www.tajmahal.gov.in/calligraphy.aspx |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Anon">{{cite web |title=The Taj mahal |url=http://www.islamicart.com/library/empires/india/taj_mahal.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090417083242/http://islamicart.com/library/empires/india/taj_mahal.html |archive-date=17 April 2009 |access-date=7 February 2015 |website=Islamic architecture |publisher=Islamic Arts and Architecture Organization}}</ref> At the base of the interior dome is the inscription, "Written by the insignificant being, Amanat Khan Shirazi".<ref>{{cite web |title=...calligraphy |url=https://www.pbs.org/treasuresoftheworld/taj_mahal/tlevel_2/t4visit_3calligraphy.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509214447/http://www.pbs.org/treasuresoftheworld/taj_mahal/tlevel_2/t4visit_3calligraphy.html |archive-date=9 May 2015 |access-date=7 February 2015 |website=Treasures of the World: Taj Mahal |publisher=PBS}}</ref>

=== Interior ===
{{Multiple image
| align = right
| total_width = 350
| image1 = Interior4.jpg
| caption1 = The central chamber with the [[cenotaph]]s
| image2 = Interior of Taj, Agra (cropped).jpg
| caption2 = A ''[[jali]]'' screen surrounding the cenotaphs
|}}

The main inner chamber is an octagon with {{convert|24|ft|m|adj=on|order=flip}} sides, with the design allowing for entry from each face with the main door facing the garden to the south. Two tiers of eight ''pishtaq'' arches are located along the walls, similar to the exterior.{{sfn|Khatri|2012|page=128}} The four central upper arches form balconies or viewing areas, and each balcony's exterior window has an intricate ''jali''. The inner wall is open along the axes where ''jali'' screens are fitted which transmit light from the exterior to the interior of the main chamber.<ref name="Arch3">{{cite web |url=https://www.tajmahal.gov.in/the-taj-interiors.aspx |title=Interior of the Taj |publisher=[[Government of India]] |access-date=1 December 2023 |archive-date=14 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240114192139/https://www.tajmahal.gov.in/the-taj-interiors.aspx |url-status=live}}</ref> Except the south side, other three sides consist of an open elongated room flanked by two square cells covered with decorated ceilings set on the platform. The central room has arched openings on three sides fitted with ''jalis'' filled with panes of glass and a small rectangular window cut into the central ''jali''.<ref name="Arch3" /> The square cells which are reached through separate doors were probably originally used for visitors and Qur'an reciters as a place to rest. Staircases lead from the ground floor to the roof level, where there are corridors between the central hall and the two corner rooms in the south with a system of ventilation shafts.<ref name="Arch2" />

The interior walls are about {{convert|25|m|ft|}} high and are topped by a "false" interior dome decorated with a sun motif. The inlay work is a [[lapidary]] of precious and semiprecious gemstones.{{sfn|Malaviya|2004}} Each chamber wall is highly decorated with dado [[bas-relief]], intricate lapidary inlay and refined calligraphy panels similar to the design elements seen throughout the exterior of the complex.{{sfn|Alī Jāvīd|2008|page=309}} The main chamber houses the false [[sarcophagi]] of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan, while the real ones are in the basement.<ref name="Brit" /> Perforated marble ''jalis'' (''mahjar-i mushabbak'') border the cenotaphs and are made from eight marble panels carved through with intricate pierce work inlaid in delicate detail with semi-precious stones. The cenotaphs were originally covered by a screen made of gold on the occasion of the second anniversary of Mumtaz Mahal's death in 1633, which was later replaced by the marble screen in 1643.<ref name="Arch3" />

{{Multiple image
| align = right
| total_width = 350
| image1 = Persian prince tomb taj mahal.jpg
| caption1 = The false [[sarcophagus|sarcophagi]] of Mumtaz Mahal (right) and Shah Jahan (left) in the main chamber
| image2 = Tombs-in-crypt.jpg
| caption2 = The actual sarcophagi of Mumtaz Mahal (right) and Shah Jahan (left) in the basement}}

Situated within the screen in the upper main chamber are the likenesses of the tombs of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan with the actual burials done below in the lower tomb chamber. From the southern main entrance room, a stairway leads to the lower tomb chamber which is rectangular in shape with walls laid with marble and an undecorated coved ceiling.<ref name="Arch3" /> The cenotaph of Mumtaz is located in the exact center of the chamber on a marble base of {{convert|1.5|by|2.5|m|ftin}}. Shah Jahan's cenotaph is situated on a larger base on the western side in an asymmetrical arrangement. On the top is a traditional sculpture of a small pen box denoting it as a male tomb.{{sfn|Khatri|2012|page=128}}  The cenotaphs are aligned north–south, with the head towards the north and the bodies were laid in on their sides with the face turned towards the west, facing [[Mecca]].<ref name="Arch3" />

{{Multiple image
| align = right
| total_width = 350
| image1 = Jali-inlay.jpg
| caption1 = Motifs on the screen
| image2 = Flowers on a wall (Unsplash).jpg
| caption2 = Flower decoration
|}}

The calligraphy found on the marble cenotaphs in the tomb is particularly detailed and delicate. While the cenotaphs are similar to the ones from the Mughal era, no other tombs from the era were adorned with such an exquisite decoration.<ref>{{cite book |last=Reitter |first=Bart |title=The Horseman: A Travel Memoir |publisher=iUniverse |year=2011 |isbn=978-1-4502-9231-3}}</ref> On Mumtaz's sarcophagus on the top, the decoration consists of natural [[plum]] fruits, buds and flower blossoms inlaid with Qur'anic inscriptions with the epitaph reading "The illumined grave of Arjumand Bano Begam, entided Mumtaz Mahal, who died in the year 1631". The original tomb in the lower level is largely undecorated, with [[Names of God in the Qur'an|Ninety Nine Names of God]] inscribed on the side.<ref name="Arch3" /> The false cenotaph of Shah Jahan has similar decorations and is covered with flowers and other scroll work without any inscriptions. The epitaph surrounded by red [[poppy]] flowers reads "This is the sacred grave of His Most Exalted Majesty, Dweller in Paradise (Firdaus Ashiyani), Second Lord of the Auspicious. Conjunction (Sahib-i Qiran-i Sani), Shah Jahan, Padshah; may it ever be fragrant! The year 1076 [AD 1666]".<ref name="Arch3" /> The original cenotaph of Shah Jahan is a more simply decorated version with similar red flowers and yellow plants with a more comprehensive epitaph reading "This is the illumined grave and sacred resting place of the emperor, dignified as Rizwan, residing in Eternity, His Majesty, having his abode in [the celestial realm of] Illiyun, Dweller in Paradise (Firdaus Ashiyani) [posthumous title of Shah Jahan], the Second Sahib-i Qiran, Shah Jahan, Padshah Ghazi [Warrior for the Faith]; may it be sanctified and may Paradise become his abode. He travelled from this world to the banquet hall of eternity on the night of the twenty-sixth of the month of Rajab, in the year one thousand and seventy-six Hijri [31 January AD 1666]".<ref name="Arch3" />

=== Garden ===
[[File:Taj Mahal (7113248335).jpg|thumb|Walkways beside the reflecting pool and the gardens]]

The complex is set around a large ''[[charbagh]]'' or [[Mughal garden]]. The garden is divided by two main walkways (''khiyaban'') into four quadrants with further raised pathways that divide each of the four-quarters into 16 sunken [[parterre]]s or flowerbeds. The garden is surrounded by a walkway connecting all the quadrants. Halfway between the tomb and gateway in the centre of the garden is a raised marble water tank with five fountains and a [[reflecting pool]] positioned on a north–south axis to reflect the image of the mausoleum. The elevated marble water tank is called ''al Hawd al-Kawthar'' in reference to the "Tank of Abundance" promised to [[Muhammad]].{{sfn|Begley|1979|p=14}} Elsewhere, the garden is laid out with avenues of trees and [[fountain]]s.<ref>{{cite web |title=The plants growing throughout the Taj Mahal complex |url=http://independent-travellers.com/india/uttar_pradesh/agra/taj_mahal/ |access-date=8 January 2025 |publisher=Independent Travellers}}</ref> In the north-western quadrant, is a place that marks the site where Mumtaz Mahal was first buried, before her body was moved to its final resting place inside the main chamber of the mausoleum.<ref name="Garden">{{cite web |url=https://www.tajmahal.gov.in/taj-garden.aspx |title=Taj Garden |access-date=1 December 2023 |publisher=[[Government of India]] |archive-date=4 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004192804/https://tajmahal.gov.in/taj-garden.aspx |url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[charbagh garden]], a design inspired by [[Persian gardens]], was introduced to India by [[Babur]], the first Mughal emperor and symbolises the [[Paradise garden]] ([[Jannah]]) with four rivers flowing from a central spring or mountain, separating the garden into north, west, south and east.<ref>{{cite web |date=26 September 2019 |title=Are there rivers that originate/come from Paradise? {{!}} Questions on Islam |url=https://questionsonislam.com/question/are-there-rivers-originatecome-paradise |access-date=21 March 2024 |archive-date=26 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190926092540/https://questionsonislam.com/question/are-there-rivers-originatecome-paradise |url-status=live}}</ref> While most gardens of the era are rectangular with a tomb or [[pavilion]] in the centre, the Taj gardens is unusual in that the main element, the tomb, is located at the end of the garden. With the discovery of [[Mahtab Bagh]] ("Moonlight Garden") on the other side of the Yamuna river, the [[Archaeological Survey of India]] has hypothesised that the Yamuna river itself was incorporated into the garden's design and was meant to be seen as one of the [[rivers of Paradise]].{{sfn|Wright|2000}} Similarities in layout and architectural features with [[Shalimar Gardens (Jammu and Kashmir)|the Shalimar Gardens]] suggest that both gardens may have been designed by the same architect, Ali Mardan.{{sfn|Allan|1958|p=318}} Early accounts of the garden describe its profusion of vegetation, including abundant [[rose]]s, [[daffodil]]s, and [[fruit tree]]s.{{sfn| Dunn |2007}} As the Mughal Empire declined, the gardens were not maintained, and when the [[British Raj]] assumed management of the gardens, they changed the landscaping to resemble the formal lawns of London in the 19th century.{{sfn|Koch|2006| p= 139}}{{sfn|Royals|1996|page=7}}

The water supply for the gardens were derived from the Yamuna River, where a water channel transported the water into an underground reservoir along the eastern wall of a storage building containing multiple storage tanks. The water from the reservoir was lifted by means of a system of pulleys and wheels, turned by animals, to a tank that supplied an aqueduct which ran south carrying water up to the western wall before turning east. The water was later distributed throughout the garden through earthenware pipes embedded underground. The fountains in the central tank consisted of large vessels made of copper and inter-connected through copper pipes and the drop from the {{cvt|9.47|m|ft|adj=on}} high walls created the necessary water for the fountains.<ref name="Garden" />

=== Outlying buildings ===
{{Infobox religious building
| name                  = Kali Mosque
| image                 = Taj Mahal Mosque, Agra.jpg
| image_upright         = 1.4
| alt                   = 
| caption               = The western building, a mosque, faces the tomb
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| religious_affiliation = [[Islam]]
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| location              = [[Agra]], [[Uttar Pradesh]]
| country               = India
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| module = {{Infobox historic site
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| designation2 = MANI | designation2_offname  = Taj Mahal and grounds:<br/>'''Kali Masjid and enclosure wall''' | designation2_type = | designation2_criteria = | designation2_date = | delisted2_date = | designation2_partof = Taj Mahal | designation2_number = N-UP-A28-g | designation2_free1name = | designation2_free1value = | designation2_free2name = | designation2_free2value = | designation2_free3name = | designation2_free3value =  }}
}}
[[File:The main gateway (darwaza) to the Taj Mahal.jpg|thumb|The main gateway (darwaza)]]
The Taj Mahal complex is enclosed by [[crenellated]] red sandstone walls on three sides, with the side facing the Yamuna river left open. Outside the complex walls, there are other mausoleums dedicated to Shah Jahan's other wives, royals and favorite servants. The inner sides of the walls feature columned [[Arcade (architecture)|arcades]], adorned with domed cuppola like chattris and smaller structures like the Music House interspersed between them. The main gateway, primarily built of marble, mirrors the tomb's architecture and incorporates intricate decorations like bas-relief and pietra dura inlays. At the far end of the complex stand two similar buildings built of red sandstone, one of which is designated as a mosque and the other as a ''jawab'', a structure to provide architectural symmetry. The mosque's design resembles others built during the era and the jawab has floors with inlaid patterns while lacking a mihrab.<ref name="Creation History" />