the+taj+mahal+-andreea+balaceanu

The **Taj Mahal** is a mausoleum located in Agra, India, that was built by Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal (also "the Taj") is considered the finest example of [|Mughal architecture], a style that combines elements from [|Persian], [|Turkish], [|Indian], and [|Islamic] architectural styles. In 1983, the Taj Mahal became a [|UNESCO] [|World Heritage Site] and was cited as "the jewel of [|Muslim art] in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage." The Taj Mahal is also one of the seven wonders of the world. While the white [|domed] [|marble] and tile mausoleum is most familiar, Taj Mahal is an integrated complex of structures that was completed around 1648. [|Ustad Ahm] ad Lahauri is generally considered as the principal designer of Taj Mahal.[|[1]] The tomb The focus of Taj Mahal( tadʒ mɨhal) is the white marble tomb, which stands on a square [|plinth] consisting of a symmetrical building with an [|iwan], an arch-shaped doorway, topped by a large dome. Like most Mughal tombs, basic elements are Persian in origin. The base of the Taj is a large, multi-chambered structure The **base** structure is a large, multi-chambered structure. The base is essentially a cube with [|chamfered] edges and is roughly 55 meter on each side (see floor plan, right). On the long sides, a massive //pishtaq//, or vaulted archway, frames the iwan with a similar arch-shaped balcony. On either side of main arch, additional pishtaqs are stacked above and below. This motif of stacked pishtaqs is replicated on chamfered corner areas as well. The design is completely symmetrical on all sides of the building. Four [|minarets], one at each corner of the plinth, facing the chamfered corners, frame the tomb. The main chamber houses the [|cenotaphs] of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan with their graves located on lower level.

[[|edit]] Exterior decoration
Calligraphy on large pishtaq The exterior decorations of Taj Mahal are among the finest to be found in Mughal architecture. As the surface area changes, a large pishtaq has more area than a smaller, the decorations are refined proportionally. The decorative elements were created by applying paint or [|stucco], or by stone inlays or by carvings. In line with the Islamic prohibition of the use of anthropomorphic forms, the decorative elements can be grouped into either [|calligraphy], abstract forms or vegetative m

[[|edit]] Interior decoration
Jali screen surrounding the cenotaphs Tombs of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal Cenotaphs, interior of Taj Mahal The interior chamber of Taj Mahal steps far beyond traditional decorative elements. Here the inlay work is not [|pietra dura], but [|lapidary] of precious and semiprecious [|gemstones]. The inner chamber is an octagon with the design allowing for entry from each face, though, only the south garden-facing door is used. The interior walls are about 25 metre high and topped by a "false" interior dome decorated with a sun motif. Eight pishtaq arches define the space at ground level. As with the exterior, each lower pishtaq is crowned by a second pishtaq about midway up the wall. The four central upper arches form balconies or viewing areas and each balcony's exterior window has an intricate screen or //[|jali]// cut from marble. In addition to the light from the balcony screens, light enters through roof openings covered by chattris at the corners. Each chamber wall has been highly decorated with dado bas relief, intricate lapidary inlay and refined calligraphy panels, reflecting in miniature detail of the design elements seen throughout the exterior of the complex. The octagonal marble screen or //jali// which borders the cenotaphs is made from eight marble panels. Each panel has been carved through with intricate piercework. The remaining surfaces have been inlaid with semiprecious stones in extremely delicate detail, forming twining vines, fruits and flowers. Muslim tradition forbids elaborate decoration of graves and hence Mumtaz and Shah Jahan are laid in a relatively plain crypt beneath the inner chamber with faces turned right and towards [|Mecca]. Mumtaz Mahal's [|cenotaph] is placed at the precise center of the inner chamber with a rectangular marble base of 1.5 metre by 2.5 metre. Both the base and [|casket] are elaborately inlaid with precious and semiprecious gems. Calligraphic inscriptions on the casket identify and praise Mumtaz. On the lid of the casket is a raised rectangular lozenge meant to suggest a writing tablet. Shah Jahan's cenotaph is beside Mumtaz's to the western side. It is the only visible asymmetric element in the entire complex. His cenotaph is bigger than his wife's, but reflects the same elements: A larger casket on slightly taller base, again decorated with astonishing precision with lapidary and calligraphy that identifies Shah Jahan. On the lid of this casket is a traditional sculpture of a small pen box.

[[|edit]] The garden
360° panoramic view of the Chahar Bagh gardens The complex is set around a large 300 metre square //[|charbagh]//, a [|Mughal garden]. The [|garden] uses raised pathways that divide each of the four quarters of the garden into 16 sunken [|parterres] or flowerbeds. A raised marble water tank at the center of the garden, halfway between the tomb and [|gateway], with a [|reflecting pool] on North-South axis reflect the image of Taj Mahal. Elsewhere, the garden is laid out with avenues of trees and [|fountains].[|[6]] The raised marble water tank is called //al Hawd al-Kawthar//, in reference to "Tank of Abundance" promised to [|Muhammad].[|[7]] The charbagh garden, a design inspired by [|Persian gardens], was introduced to India by the first Mughal emperor [|Babur]. It symbolizes four flowing rivers of [|Paradise] and reflects the gardens of [|Paradise] and derived from the Persian //paridaeza//, meaning 'a walled garden'. In [|mystic] [|Islamic] texts of Mughal period, paradise is described as an ideal garden of abundance with four rivers source from a central spring or mountain and separate the garden into north, west, south and east Soon after Taj Mahal's completion, Shah Jahan was deposed and put under house arrest at nearby [|Agra Fort] by his son [|Aurangzeb]. Upon Shah Jahan's death, Aurangzeb buried him in the Taj Mahal next to his wife. By late 19th century, parts of Taj Mahal had fallen badly into disrepair. Protective wartime scaffolding During the time of [|Indian rebellion of 1857], Taj Mahal faced defacement by British soldiers and government officials, who chiseled out precious stones and [|lapis lazuli] from its walls. At the end of 19th century [|British] [|viceroy] [|Lord Curzon] ordered a massive restoration project, completed in 1908. He also commissioned the large lamp in the interior chamber, modeled on one in a [|Cairo] mosque. It was during this time the garden was remodeled with British looking lawns that are visible today. In 1942, the government erected a scaffolding in anticipation of an air attack by German [|Luftwaffe] and later by [|Japanese Air Force]. During the [|India-Pakistan wars] of 1965 and 1971, scaffoldings were erected to mislead bomber pilots. Its recent threats came from [|environmental pollution] on the banks of [|Yamuna River] including [|acid rain] due to [|Mathura] oil refinery, which was opposed by [|Supreme Court of India] directives. In 1983, Taj Mahal was designated a [|UNESCO] [|World Heritage Site].