Editing Taj Mahal (section)

=== 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" />