Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal, aptly described as dream in white marble, is a masterpiece of Indo-Islamic architecture. It represents the remarkable engineering skill and perfection of construction devices as well as aesthetic ideals of the period. The monument was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan (reigned 1628-58 A.D.) on the right bank of the river Yamuna as a garden tomb for his most favourite queen Mumtaz Mahal following her death in 1631 A.D.

Arjumand Banu Begum entitled as Mumtaj Mahal after marriage was the daughter of Khawaja Abul Hasan entitled Yaminud-Daula Asaf Khan, brother of Empress Nur Jahan and son of Mirja Ghiyath Baig Itimad-ud-Daula. Mumtaz Mahal (born in April 1593) married prince Khurram (later on emperor Shah Jahan) on 30th April, 1612 and died at Burhanpur with her royal husband at her bedside, while giving birth to her fourteenth child, on Tuesday, 17th June, 1631. The dead body of Mumtaz Mahal was given a temporary burial in the building situated in the middle of a large tank inside the garden of Zainabad, opposite to Burhanpur, on the other side of the river Tapti. Exactly six months later, on 01 December, 1631, the corporeal remains of Mumtaz Mahal was sent to Agra, accompanied by Prince Shiya, Nawab Wazir Khan and the lady in waiting and agent of the late queen, Satti-un-Nisa Khanam, to be buried at the site selected there for her mausoleum. The corporeal body of Mumtaz, on arrival at Agra was placed at a temporary domed structure now located to the north-west corner of the garden.

The work of construction of this great monument started from the very foundation in the fifth regnant year December, 1631/January, 1632 under the superintendence of Makramat Khan and Mir Abdul-Karim. The entire project was carried out in twelve years at a total cost of Rs. 50 lakhs. The inscriptions on the exterior of the western grilled door, southern arch of the cenotaph and northern arch of the main gateway bears the dates of A.H. 1046 (A.D. 1636-37) A.H. 1048 (A.D. 1638-39) and A.H. 1057 (A.D.1647-48) respectively, denotes presumably the year of completion various parts on which the inscription occur. The court historian Mullah Hamid Lahori gives a vivid description of the main the subsidiary buildings, but his account is restricted mainly to the architectural and decorative features, all the relevant information that can be gathered from Badshahnama is, first that foundations were laid by excavating down to the sub-soil water level, second, that masonry below the ground is of stone-in-lime and third that platform above the ground is of brick-in-mortar.

The principal materials used in the core of the tomb proper, its minarets and other accessory buildings is essentially brick (Lakhauri) and lime mortar. The external surface of the tomb building including its dome, drum, minarets, and interior of cenotaph chamber are lined with white marble veneering whereas all the other interior of all the other accessory buildings such as mosque, quest house, gates, etc. had been veneered with red sandstone except the exterior surfaces of domes. Besides in the accessory buildings a coat of red octet was applied over the thin layer of special lime plaster invariably provided on red sandstone surfaces basically for the purpose of proper protection of the stones as well as for the decorations. Further, all the important external and internal surfaces of the monument were embellished with rich variety of highly artistic and delicate inlaid or piertre dura ornamentations. The chief materials used in the inlay work include black marble, yellow marble, varieties of agate and jasper, coral, cornelian, turquoise, Jade, crystal, lapis-lazuli, garnet, onyx, chalcedony, amethyst, sapphire, diamond, etc. These precious and semi-precious stones were imported from different parts of the world where as white marble and red sandstone came from the quarries of Makrana, in District Nagaur of Rajasthan and Fatehpur Sikri in District of Agra of Uttar Pradesh respectively.

The main tomb building measuring 57.30 m. in width as well as height above the plinth level and identical in elevation of all four sides is located on a square platform of side 95.65 m. The plinth itself rises about 6 m. above the ground level. The predominant feature of the structure is its 23 m. high dome from the springing to the base of 9.8 m. high gilded finial or pinnacle resting on a cylindrical drum of 18.4 m. internal diameter and rising 12 m. above the terrace roof. The drum is supported by eight octagonally arranged piers interconnected with arches. The octagonal main hall or cenotaph chamber thus created below the double dome measures 17.74X17.74 m. in plan. This central hall is surrounded by four octagonal corner chambers measuring chambers measuring 8X8 m. and four square chamber of side 4.8 m. These surrounding chambers also exist on the floor above and are interconnected by vaults at both the levels. In addition four minarets measuring about 5.8 m. in diameter at the base and 41 m. in height are located at the four corners of the plinth platform.

INSCRIPTION: Bands on both sides of the arches and the cenotaphs contain inscriptions in Thulth and Nastaliq style of calligraphy. The Quranic chapters 46, 81, 82, 84, and 98 are inscribed on the western façade with date 1046 A.H. (A.D. 1636-1637). The Quranic chapters 67, 68, 77, 39, 41, 40, 83, 21, 59 are inscribed on the cenotaphs. On a band on the southern façade the death of Mumtaz Mahal is recorded in 1040 A.H.

The cenotaph of Shah Jahan is inscribed in Persian language and Nastaliq character, which records a date of 1076 A.H. The cenotaph of Mumtaz Mahal is inscribed with Quranic chapters 39, 03, 23 and 59. On the eastern and western faces the ninety nine names of God are inscribed.

The Masjid (A.D.1642-1648):

Stands at the western end of the great basement to the west of the main mausoleum. The mosque is built of red sandstone and the façade is sparsely decorated with marble inlaid in red sandstone in floral and geometrical patterns. Rectangular in plan each quoin of the mosque is attached by an octagonal tower crowned by a cupola. The mosque is crowned by three graceful marble domes, the middle one being larger than the rest. It has a Muluk-Khana at the northern side of the sanctuary which was separated for females by lattice work. North-west to the mosque and abutting on it there is a baoli or stepped well.

The front quadrangle of the mosque is adorned by an ablution tank at its centre. The anterior surface of the mosque walls, soffits and ceiling are decorated with intaglio incises painting. The spandrels of arches are embellished with inlay work.

Inscription: On the band of mihrab of the quibla wall, the Quranic chapter 91 is inscribed in Nasq character; on the side wall, chapter 112 is inscribed in Tughra character.

The Jawab or Mehman Khana(A.D.1642-1648):

The Mehman Khana is situated just opposite to the mosque at the eastern end of great basement to the east of main mausoleum. The design and construction is very much similar to the Masjid. The main function of the building was to serve as an assemble hall, it is known as Jamat Khana or Gathering place.

The Pavilions on east and west sides of Grounds (A.D.1642-1648):

At each corner of the great basement, an octagonal tower is located. A two storeyes structure, it

is built of red sandstone. Each storey has an octagonal room having an archway on all sides. From the friezes of each storey, molded brackets, project out to carry broad eaves which continues all round. The south-west tower has a deep well which has been provided with a flight of steps which go to the edge of water. The towers are crowned by the marble cupola.

Four Towers at the corners of the Garden (A.D.1642-1648):

The Taj Mahal complex is enclosed by high wall with embattles parapets. At each corner of this

wall an octagonal tower, surmounted by a cupola is located. A two storeyed structure they are octagonal in plan and built of red sandstone. Each storey is octagonal in plan consisting of an archway, at its each side. From the frieze of the upper storey carved brackets projects out to carry the eave. The outer surface of the tower is cut up into panels which are decorated with carved and inlaid work in floral and geometrical patterns.

Great South entrance gateway (A.D.1642-1648):

The southern gateway is situated at the centre of the southern enclosure wall of the Taj garden complex. It is a two storeyed structure built entirely of red sandstone. It has an iwan on both facades and a domed central hall which has externally a central apsed entrance is flanked by two superimposed apsed recesses. The spandrels of the arches are adorned with undulating arabesque patterns, inlaid with multi hued semi-precious stones. A parapet with marble inlaid face encircles the roof except along the high walls which are adorned by a band of inlay. The gateway has a central iwan devised in a semi-octagonal plan. The iwan is crowned by a lofty domes vault and adorned with a network of stalactite designs in white stucco on red background. The iwan has at four corners, an octagonal room on raised platform.

Great courtyard surrounded by cloisters (A.D.1648-1653):

The great courtyard is identified with the sarai carvan or Jilo Khana of the Badshahnama. To the south of the main gateway of the Taj Mahal there is a spacious quadrangle forming roughly a huge plus with cloisters on all its faces. The tomb of Sarhindi Begum is on the south-east and the tomb of Sati-un-Nisa Khanam is on the south-west of the quadrangle. It is accessible by three gates on the east, west and south; the north side gate is the great southern gateway of the Taj itself.

The rooms on the sides of the courtyard are made of Lakhauri bricks and lime mortar and vestibules or corridors are of red sandstone. These room and corridors were originally used as shops. Each arm of the courtyard has 32 rooms.

Plan of Taj Mahal:

The layout plan of Taj Mahal was prepared by Ustad Ahmad Lahauri, a Persian descent from

Lahore and Ustad Ismail Afandi of Turkey. Mir Abdul Karim supervised the construction of Taj Mahal. Shah Jahan, whose reign is known as the Golden Age of Mughal Art and Architecture, was himself had a great understanding of art. During his life time his life time he had travelled various site and seen the excellent specimens of architecture including Mughal monuments. He was inspired by the earlier monuments like the Tomb of Hoshang Shah in Mandu, built in 1435, and admired this beautiful marble Mausoleum, its square plan and elegant marble platform. The elegant Tomb of Humayun in Delhi built by Mirak Mirza Ghiyas in 1565-1572 A.D. Humayun’s Mausoleum, its plan and elevation, is generally accepted as the proto type of the Taj Mahal. The Tomb of Khan-i-Khana Abdur Rahim Khan, Delhi, built in 1598 A.D. which is only a stone’s throw away from Humayun’s tomb is no doubt have drawn the attention and its important features studied by Shah Jahan as he was very familiar with Delhi monuments. Most probably he was impressed by four corner minarets of Akbar’s Tomb and added to the Taj Mahal. Last but not the least the emperor Shah Jahan was greatly influenced by the most beautiful double storied, virtual gem in architecture, the mausoleum of Itimad-ud-Daula built by Nur Jahan in 1622-28 A.D. For the first time the finest specimens of Italian inlay work called Pietra Daura was introduced in India. During Shah Jahan’s patronage, Mughal building reached new levels of refinement. Previously Mughal buildings had primarily been constructed of red sandstone; and Shah Jahan promoted the use of white marble inlaid with semi-precious stones.

Building Material:

The main building material was the top class quality of white marble (Sang-i-marmar) which was used for external veneering, brought from Makrana and its neighboring area of Rajasthan. Except for the main mausoleum, the materials used in majority of the buildings inside Taj Mahal complex are from Tantpura, Bansi Paharpur, Sar-Mathura, Karauli-Hindaun and Fatehpur Sikri. The best quality of lime mortar was used as the bounding material to build the brick and stone masonry of Taj Mahal and covered with marble/sand stone as a protective cladding to prevent deterioration of the masonry. The mortar was prepared by mixing 1:1:1: to 2 (1 lime, 1coarse sand and 1 to 2 surkhi). Abul Fazal gives a list of ingredients which are mixed in lime to develop a strong cohesive property like, san (hemp), samgh (gum), sirish-i-kahi (reed glue) and surkhi (powered bricks). While bricks locally known as lakhauri for internal constructions were prepared locally, semi-precious stones for inlay ornamentation were brought from distant regions of India, Ceylon, Tibet, China and Afghanistan.

Construction of the Taj Mahal:

The construction of Taj Mahal was started on 12th December 1631 A.D. This sublime garden- tomb, an image of the Islamic garden of paradise cost nearly 41 million rupees and 500 kilos of gold and about 20,000 workers labored for 13 years to complete it almost by the time of twelfth Urs of late Queen Mumtaz Mahal. But the final finishing including the Calligraphy work over the main gate was completed only by 1647-48 A.D. as evident from the inscription on the main gate suggest. In the ornamentation of Taj Mahal about fifty different varieties of precious and semi precious stones were employed in the inlay work.

And the height of the monument is 241 ft. approx. at the central dome. As a comparison, the Taj Mahal is higher than the famous Qutub Minar of Delhi (72.54 m.) by about 1 m. The foundation is a miracle of hydraulic engineering of Shah Jahan’s period. There were series of 12.19 m. deep wells with 2.74 m. in diameter full of teak wood bands and masonry of blocks of stone and strong mortar. Without sinking an inch the Taj Mahal is the heaviest structure on a river bank. The most important thing is that the river Yamuna which has been shifting for miles in Delhi is still by the side of Taj Mahal.

The Dome:

The dome of Taj Mahal referred by Abdul Hamid Lahori and Muhammad Salih Kambo as amudi-shakl or “pear shaped”, is raised over high drum. The crowning element of the dome is the lotus petal with rope-like molding above and below. The 44 m. (144 ft.) double dome is capped with a finial. The dome of Taj Mahal is surrounded by four Chattris similar to that of Hindu panchayatana shrine. The idea probably inspired from the Hoshang Shah’s tomb in Mandu, which has been employed for the first time in the Islamic architecture.

Four Minarets:

Each 40 m. (131 ft.) high and crowned by an open octagonal pavilion of chhatri, frame the tomb, highlighting the perfect symmetry of the complex. The Minarets of Taj Mahal are reminiscent the gateway of Akbar’s Mausoleum at Sikandra, and which are sited at the angles of the massive marble platform. These are artistically designed, three tiered minarets. The first storey gallery of the minarets is level with the floor of mausoleum. The second storey gallery is level with the second floor of the mausoleum. The third storey gallery of the minarets is level with the top of the dome.

Marble Screen:

The filigree screen daintily carved from a single block of marble was meant to veil the area around the royal tombs. The screen is such a marvelous creation which attracts the admiration of people from all walks of life.

Cenotaph:

The cenotaph of Mumtaz Mahal is at the exact centre of the tomb chamber. It is placed on a rectangular platform decorated with inlaid flower plant motifs. Over the cenotaph of Mumtaz Mahal is the depiction of a slate and over that of Shah Jahan is a pen case. It is believed that a man would write the desires of his soul on the heart of the woman, and she would fulfill them in heaven as she had done on earth. The cenotaph of Shah Jahan is larger than that of Mumtaz Mahal and installed more than thirty years later in 1666, by the side on its east. The upper cenotaphs are only illusory and the real grave is in the lower tomb chamber, a practice commonly adopted in imperial Mughal mausoleums.

The Charbagh:

Babur the first Mughal Emperor of India who inherited the garden tradition from Timur and made serious attempt to found typical Timurid-Persian gardens in India. Shah Jahan, as a true artist studied beauty from every aspect, including that of gardens. Ran Mal from Kashmir was the chief designer of Charbagh garden. The present garden is divided into four quadrants by two main walkways and each quadrants in turn sub divided into four sub-quadrants by narrow walkways. The main walkways consist of swallow canals which contain a line of fountains in it. And water was supplied to the garden through two Persian Wheel Lifts run by bullocks.

Mosque and Mehman Khana (Jamaat Khana):

The Mehman Khana and the mosque in the Taj Mahal complex are built of sandstone in contrast to the marble mausoleum in their centre. The tank in front of the mosque is meant for ablution purpose whereas the tank on front of the Mehman Khana is just a replica of the former.

There are several inscriptions in the Mosque and the ornamentation of it’s as a whole is of high taste. Both the mosque and Mehman Khana or Jawab, was built to maintain the sense of balance and symmetry which actuated the whole design of the Taj Mahal.

Calligraphy:

The calligraphy inscriptions appeared on the gateways, on the arches, on the door jambs, on the cenotaphs, on the mihrab, on the spandrels, inside the domes and other places in Taj complex are not only serving as a means of displaying scriptural verses but also add to its sense of dignified grandeur. The inscription at Taj Mahal comprises mainly the quranic suras and verses of mercy, the ninety-nine divine names. The size of the Quranic verses increases as the arch gets higher, creating the subtle optical illusion of a uniformly flowing script.

OTHER MONUMENTS OF THE TAJ GROUP:

• Dalans around the Taj quadrangle
• Drinking fountain in the west enclosure wall of the Taj garden
• Entrance gateway to Khan-i-Alam Bagh
• Fatehpuri Masjid
• Kali Masjid and enclosure wall
• Khan-i-Alam Bagh together with the new tank near Taj
• Old Mughal Aqueduct
• Saheli Burj no. 01, on the south-west corner of the Taj
• Saheli Burj no. 02, on the south-west corner of the Taj
• Saheli Burj no. 03, on the south-west corner of the Taj
• Saheli Burj no. 04, on the south-west corner of the Taj
• Sirhi Darwaza facing the inner entrance gate of the Taj
• Tank near Fatehpuri Masjid
• Well at the Taj garden

Dalans around the Taj quadrangle (A.D.1642 -1648):

The Dalans are located on both the sides of the main entrances gate of Taj Mahal. The cloisters

adorn the inner side of the southern wall and build of red sandstone. Each dalans stands on a plinth measuring 350’X30’ (106.68X9.14 m.) and 2’ (0.61 m.) in height. Each wing is two aisles deep with 29 bays. A screen of 29 arches is laid across the whole length of each wing. They are pointed four arches, engrailed with graceful cusps. The arches are supported by twelve sided pillars crowned by bracketed capitals.

Drinking fountain in the west enclosure wall of Taj Garden:

This fountain exists at the feet of western enclosing wall of south-western portion of the Taj Mahal garden. It is connected to the overhead tank outside Taj Mahal.

Entrance gateway to Khan-i-Alam Bagh (A.D.1631):

The Khan-i-Alam bagh is located to the west of Taj Mahal and between Taj Mahal and the tomb of Sayyid Jalal Bukhari. The garden complex is enclosed on all the four sides, on the east, by the high enclosure wall of Taj Mahal and on the other three sides by its own boundary wall. The gateway is noticed on the southern enclosure wall. Built of brick and lime mortar, it is modest construction.

Fatehpuri Masjid (A.D.1652-1670):

The mosque is situated south of Taj Road, close to the west gate and west of the tomb of Khanum Sati-un-Nisa. This mosque was built by Fateh Puri Mahal, one of the wives of Shah Jahan, who also built one mosque at Delhi bearing the same design. Built, entirely of red sandstone, the mosque stands on a highly elevated podium. An octagonal tower, surmounted by a cupola, is decorates to each quoin of the mosque. The façade of the basement provided with rooms and arched entrance leading to it. The court-yard is enclosed by a low lattice rail of beautiful floral design. The courtyard has a tower crowned by pavilion, at its north-eastern and south-eastern corners. The nave of the sanctuary is flanked by a side wing, the roof of which is flat whereas the central part of the sanctuary is arcuate which is surmounted by a dome. The side wing has double rooms with arches supported by twelve sided pillars, the arches being four centers cusped arches. The entire surface of walls and arches was once elaborately and profusely embellished with fresco paintings.

Kali Masjid and Enclosure wall (A.D.1682-1672):

The Kali Masjid is situated near the south-eastern corner tower of the enclosure of the Taj Mahal. The mosque is associated to a tomb which lies very close to it. The person interned in this tomb is known due to lack of any inscription on the grave; however on the basis of certain manuscripts it is associated to Akbarabadi Mahal, one of the wives of Shah Jahan.

The mosque stands on a high basement and built of brick and lime mortar. A closed variety of mosque, it has no arches and pillars, the outer and inner surfaces of walls and ceiling are plain. A highly elevated terrace is located in front of it. The mosque is crowned by three domes which cover the nave and side wings of the sanctuary.

Khan-i-Alam Bagh together with the new tank near the Taj (A.D.1625-1635):

Khan-i-Alam bagh is situated on the right bank of river Yamuna between the Taj Mahal and the tomb of Sayyid Jalal Bukhari adjoining the western enclosure wall of the Taj.

The garden was laid out by Khan-i-Alam, whose real name was Mirza Barkhurdar. He was courtier, having a mansab of 250. During the reign of Jahangir, he was awarded with the mansab of 5000 and the title of Khan-i-Alam. Shah Jahan promoted him to the mansab of 6000 and made him the governor of Bihar. In A.D. 1631, Shah Jahan pensioned him off due to his old age with annuity of honored thousand rupees.

The garden, laid out with provisions of drawing water from the river front and feeding it to a huge tank over the southern gateway of the Bagh. The water was later supplied to operate the fountains located in the Taj garden complex the huge enclosure walls of the garden have trades for providing wheels at their top, over the northern and southern end. Water drawn from the river front was filled in tank at the northern side, at the ground level. This water was uplifted and again filled in a tank at an intermediary level adjoining the southern wall. At the final stage water from this tank was again lifted to the tank provided on the top of southern gateway.

On the north side of the garden seven graves lie side by side, which, may belong to the reign of Shah Jahan or Jahangir as indicated by the style. The remains of a raised ground with paved floor and flag stones, is believed to contain the remains of Khan-i-Alam.

Old Mughal Aqueduct:

The aquaduct provided at the Khan-i-Alam Bagh provides an excellent example of ancient water lifting system. The aquaduct is located at the northern side of the garden, adjoining the western enclosure wall. This aquaduct consists of a narrow channel supported on the masonry piers and interspaces are filled up. The channel takes water to a tank where form it is again lifted by means of arriving bullocks and stored in an overhead tank to irrigate the Taj garden to operate its fountains.

Saheli Burj, No. 01, on the south-west corner of the Taj(A.D.1647-1648):

The tomb of Sati-un-Nisa Khanum which lies at the south-western corner of the Taj forecourt facing the Fatehpuri Masjid. Sari-un-Nisa was the favourite maid servant of Mumtaz Mahal and the sister of Talib Amli, the poet laureate of Emperor Jahangir. She attained the highest position under Mumtaz Mahal and became keeper of the royal seat.

The tomb consists of a high octagonal basement and octagonal mortuary chamber, surmounted by a marble come culminating in a spike. The cenotaph chamber is surrounded by an octagonal corridor, the outer face of each has a three bayed arcade. The cenotaph chamber has a doorway on the south side, whereas the other sides have archway ceased with lattice screens made of red sandstone. A broad eave of red sandstone supported by brackets projects over the outer arcade all around the tomb. The floor and dados of the inner chamber, which contains the cenotaph, is of white marble. The sarcophagus is also of marble embellished with beautiful floral designs.

The western enclosure wall of this whole complex facing the Fatehpuri Mosque is pierced by nine lattice-screens made of red sandstone, crowned by stone-pinnacles.

Saheli Burj, No. 02, on the south-west corner of the Taj (A.D.1650-1660):

This Burj is situated at the south-east corner of the enclosure of forecourt of Taj Mahal, and opposite to the tomb of Sati-un-Nisa Khanum. This Burj is the tomb of Sirhindi Begum. Sirhindi Begum was one of the wives of Shah Jahan, who, was a native of Sirhind. After constructing a mosque at Delhi in A.D. 1656, she died there and her mortal remains were taken to Agra and placed in this tomb.

The tomb stands on a highly elevated basement. It consists of an enclosed garden, a masonry tank, a tomb building and a house for the caretaker of the mausoleum. The plan and elevation is almost similar to that of Sati-un-Nisa tomb.

Saheli Burj, No. 03, on the south-west corner of the Taj (A.D.1650-1660):

This Burj is located to the north-east of eastern gateway of Taj Mahal. The Kali Masjid is located just to the east of the Burj. The absence of any inscription or description of the person who is interned, in contemporary chronicles makes it difficult to identify, who lies buried here. Some manuscripts and account of Lala Rudra Das, a Chief Treasurer for the expenditure of the Taj Mahal, ascribes this tomb to Akbarabadi Mahal, who was one of the wives of Shah Jahan and of equal rank to Fatehpuri Begum.

The Kali Masjid and the tomb stand on the name basement, which is highly raised and now a shapeless mound of earth. The plain of the tomb is octagonal in shape. It consists of any octagonal mortuary chamber surrounded by an octagonal corridor each side of which is a three bayed arcade. The southern side of the cenotaph chamber has a doorway and the rest have an archway each, which, is filled with perforated screen of red sandstone. The sarcophagus is made up at marble chastely ornamented with inlay work in floral designs with semi-precious stones which are now missing. The tomb is crowned by a graceful dome.

Saheli Burj, No. 04, on the south-west corner of the Taj (A.D.1650-1690):

This Burj is situated north of Fatehpuri Masjid and to the north-western side of western gateway of the Taj Mahal complex. The tomb contains two graves but the persons interred here are not known. This tomb exhibits close similarly with Fatehpuri mosque in construction and scheme of decoration.

Sirhi Darwaza facing the inner entrance gate of the Taj (A.D.1648-1653):

Sirhi Darwaza is a gateway to the forecourt of the Taj Mahal, entered from Tajganj area. A two storeyed structure, it is built of red sandstone. It stands on a highly elevated red sandstone platform, approached by steps from the forecourt of the Taj. The entrance of the gateway is marked by huge four centered arches. The central arch on both faces is flanked on either side by slender octagonal pilaster which spring up from parapet and culminates into guldasta, embellished with zigzag lines inlaid with black and white marble in red sandstone. The outer surface above the arches is decorated with carving and inlay work with white marble in red sandstone.

Tank near the Fatehpuri Masjid (A.D.1650-1670):

This tank is the ablution tank associated with the Fatehpuri Masjid but is now unused for this purpose. This is situated to the north of Fatehpuri Masjid and south-western side of the western gateway of the forecourt of the Taj.

To the north of the arcades corridor at the northern side of the basement of Fatehpuri Masjid is a square platform which contains this tank. A fountain at its centre supplied water to this tank which is connected through China clay pipes to the overhead tank of the Taj Mahal water-system.

Well at the Taj Garden:

The Taj Garden is divided into four equal parterres by water channels, flanked by flagstone paved causeways. The well is located on the causeway bordering the north-west parterre and between the water channel and north-west parterre.

PUBLISHED REFERENCES OF TAJ MAHAL, AGRA:

• Ahamed Sayeed, Muraqqa-i-Akbarabad (Translation), Agra 1931
• Badshah Nama, Abdul Hamid Lahori, Calcutta, 1866-72 (Translation)
• Indian Architecture-part II, Percy Brown, Calcutta
• History of Indian Art and Eastern Architecture, Fergusson, Vol. II., Calcutta, 1896
• Agra, A Gazetter, Vol. III., District Gazetteers of the United Province of Agra and Oudh, By Nevill, Allahabad, 1905.
• A.S. I. report of the year 1871-72, Agra, Carlleyle, Vol. IV., Calcutta, 1874
• The Taj and its environments, Miun-ud-Din, Agra, 1931
• Havell, E.B., Handbook to Agra and Taj, New Delhi, 1970.
• Latif S.M., Agra Historical and Descriptive, Calcutta, 1898
• Keene, Handbook to Agra, Calcutta, 1896.

Photo Gallery

Video

PDF Documents

The public is hereby informed that for carrying out repair or renovation of buildings or structures in prohibited area or construction or reconstruction or repair or renovation in the regulated area of any Centrally Protected Monuments of Agra Circle, Agra the permission of Competent Authority/National Monuments Authority is highly essential. All the Centrally protected monuments are governed by the “The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment and validation) Act, 2010. This Act is an amendment to the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 (and Rules 1959 therein).

Every area, extending to a distance of 100m in all directions from the protected area or protected monument is declared as prohibited area. If necessary the central government may, on the recommendation of the Authority (i.e. National Monument Authority) specify an area more than 100m to be prohibited area on the basis of classification of any protected monument or protected area.

• Every area, 200m in all directions from the limit of prohibited area of every ancient monument and archaeological sites and. remains, declared as of national importance shall be Regulated area.
• Construction of any public or any other nature is prohibited in the area of the protected monument and protected area.
• Permission from the Competent Authority is essential for carrying out repair or renovation of buildings or structures in prohibited area which were preexisted before 16 June, 1992.
• For carrying out construction or reconstruction or repair or renovation in the regulated area, the owner of a building or land is required to obtain permission from the Competent Authority.
• Whoever raises, on or after 23rd Jan, 2010, any construction in the regulated area without the previous permission of the competent authority or in the contravention of the permission granted by the competent authority, shall be punishable with imprisonment not exceeding two years or with fine which may extend to rupees one lakh or with both.
• The Government of India by Gazette Notification has declared the Commissioner, Agra as Competent Authority for granting permission/forwarding No Objection Certificate application in respect of centrally protected monuments/sites under ASI Agra Circle.

THANKS-

• For keeping the monument clean.
• For help, in maintaining the natural environment monument.
• For help, in preventing and avoiding any kind of destruction of monument by anyone and report any such matter concerned staff.
• For help in creating cultural awareness among the masses
• For help in maintaining the sanctity of the monuments.
• For not littering or spoiling the monument.