Editing Taj Mahal (section)

=== 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>