Actual Tomb of Taj Mahal
The
Taj Mahal is situated more than 900 ft. (275 m.) away from the entrance at the
opposite end of the garden. Towering almost 200 ft. (76m.) in height, the tomb
stands on its own marble plinth, which rests on a red sandstone platform that
serves to level the land as it slopes to the river. Four tall minarets rise up
from the corners of the white marble plinth. They taper to a majestic height of
138 ft. and are crowned with eight windowed cupolas. elegantly accent the central
structure, framing the space like the mounting of a jewel.
The marble
mausoleum is square in plan with chamfered corners. Each facade of the tomb is
composed of a grand iwan framed by bands of calligraphy. The doorways inside these
iwans are also adorned with calligraphy. The iwan is flanked on both sides by
small double arches one over the other.
They are rectangular while the
arched alcoves of equal size at the angles of the tomb are semi-octagonal. Each
section in the facade is well demarked on both sides by attached pilasters which
rising from the plinth level of the tomb rise above the frieze and are crowned
by beautiful pinnacles with lotus buds and finials. The pinnacles ornament the
superstructure and help along with the other features to break the skyline gracefully.
The Taj Mahal is entered through the portal on the south side. Inside,
two stories of eight rooms (four rectangular rooms on the sides and four octagonal
small rooms at the corners) surround a central chamber. These rooms were originally
used for the mullahs to chant the Koran and for Musicians who played soft Indians
and Persian melodies.
In this nine part plan, the visitor can circumambulate
through the subsidiary rooms on each floor since they are interconnected. The
central chamber is octagonal, and in the centre is the tomb of the queen and to
one side is the casket of the emperor. The hall is 80 ft. high from the pavement
to the soffit of the interior dome. This makes sound echo.
A
bulbous white double-dome majestically crowns the Taj. The huge dome emphasises
the monumentality of the structure as its pear shaped form sits on a tall drum.
The height from the base of the drum to the top of the finial is almost 145 ft.
(44 m.). The double domes fulfils various purposes.
Besides providing
a suitable and proportionate ceiling to the interior hall, it enabled the builder
to raise the height of the outer dome as much as he desired in order to present
a lofty and imposing effect. The space within the two domes is hollow and the
inner cell reduces the weight of the dome. Four small kiosks clustered around
the dome reduce the severity of the vertical emphasis.
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Mahal Agra —› Taj Mahal Location
—› Taj
Mahal Story —› History
of Taj Mahal —› Taj
Mahal Architecture —›
Garden of Taj Mahal —›
Mumtaz Mahal —›
Building of Taj Mahal —›
Actual Tomb of Taj Mahal —›
Excursions of Taj Mahal —›
How to Reach Taj Mahal —›
Mosque of Taj Mahal —›
Inside The Taj Mahal —›
Pictures of Taj Mahal
