Faculty Of Urban Planning And Architecture

ARCH.CONSERVATION

Topic- WORLD HERITAGE SITE Submitted by: Annu Sharma,

PAYAL,
TANYA,
TEENA
Submitted to : B.Arch. 4 Year 7th Semester
th
“INTRODUCTION”

❑ T he Ta j Ma ha l l o c a te d a t t he we st s i d e of
t he Y a mun a r i v e r , Ta j Ga n ji , Ag r a , Utta r
Pardesh, India.

❑ T he T a j Ma ha l re pre se nt s th e fi ne st a nd
m o st s o phi sti c a t e d e x a m ple of M ug ha l
a r c h i te c tur e .

❑ It c o n si st of fi ve ma j or c on sti t ue nt s,
n a me l y D a r wa za ( ma i n g a te w a y ),
B a g e e c ha ( g a r de n s ), Ma s ji d ( m o sq ue ),
N a q qa r k ha na ( re st h o u se ), a nd R a u za
( m a u s o l e um ) .

❑ T he a r chi te ct s U sta d Ahma d La ha uri a nd

Mir Abd – ul Karim.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF TAJ MAHAL

▪ The monument complex stands as a symbol of the story of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz and also a
t e s t i mo n y o f t h e h u n d r e ds o f l a b o r e r s w h o c o n t r i but e d t h e i r b l o o d a n d s w e a t i n t h e c o n s t r u c ti o n o f
t h i s m o n u m e n t. T a j M a h a l s t a n d s a s a m a r k o f e x c e l l e n c e i n a r c h i te c tu re .

▪ T h e A r c h i t ec t u r e o f t h e M o n u m en t

▪ On e ca n o bs e rve P e r si a n a nd I sl a mi c i n fl ue nc e i n the a rc hi te ct ure o f T a j M a ha l . The c o mpl e x ha s

a n e l a b o ra te g a t e wa y, m o s qu e , cha mb e r s, g a rde n s whi ch t og e the r f orm ma g ni fi ce n ce o f Ta j Ma ha l .
E a c h pa rt o f th e m onum e nt s ta nd s a s the i ndi vi d ua l pi e ce s o f ma rve l . Ev e n be i ng a to m b, i t bri n gs
a c o m bi na ti o n o f g l o ry a nd be a u ty i n i ts a r chi te ct ure . The w hi te ma rbl e st ru ct ure b ot h i n the
m o o n l i g ht a n d i n s u n s h i ne d i s pl a ys t h e e l e g a n ce o f h i s t o r y .

▪ O n e c a n n o t m i s s o u t o n t h e c a r v i ng s i n t h e i n t e ri o rs c h a m b e r s w i t h t h e t o m b s o f S h a h J a h a n a n d
M u m t a z l e f t r e l a ti ve l y l e s s d e c o r a te d . T h e c a r v i n g s i n c l ude t h e v a r i o u s f l o w e r s l i k e t u l i p s a n d
d a f f o d i l s. T h e m i n a re ts a d o r e t h e m a i n t o m b . T h e m a i n g a t e h a s w o r d s w r i t te n b y c a l l i g ra p he r
A b d u l H a q . T h e r o y a l M u g h a l g a r d e ns a d d t o t h e g r a n de ur o f T a j M a h a l . T h e g i a n t d o m e h i g hl i g h t
t h e m a i n s t r u c t u re .
 HISTORY
❖ T he c o n str u cti o n o f the Ta j Ma ha l st a rt e d i n
t he ye a r 1 6 3 2 wa s fi na l l y c om p l e t e d i n the
year of 1653.

❖ I t w a s s o on a fte r t he c om ple ti o n o f Ta j Ma ha l
t ha t Sha h j a ha n wa s de p o se d b y hi s ow n s on
A ur a ng ze b a nd wa s put u nde r h o u se a rr e s t a t
nearby Agra fort.

❖ S ha h j a h a n , hi m se l f a l s o, l i e s e nt om be d i n
t h i s m a u s o l e um a l o n g w i t h h i s w i f e .

❖ T he Ta j Ma ha l w a s de si g n a te d a s a UN ESC O
W o rl d H e ri ta g e si te i n 1 9 8 3 f or be i ng “t he
j e we l o f mu sl i m a rt i n I ndi a a n d o ne o f the
u ni ve r sa l l y a dmi r e d m a s te rpi e ce s of the
world’s heritage.”
 CONCEPT, SYMBOLISM AND
INTERPRETATION :
❖ A Delibrate Interplay is established between the
building’s elements, its surface decoration, materials,
geometric planning and its acoustics.

❖ In dimensional organization – The Taj complex is

ordered by grids.

❖ Symmetry and geometric planning played an important

role in ordering the complex.
ANALYSIS OF BASIC GEOMETRIC SHAPES
ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS :

❑ The Taj Mahal complex can be

conveniently divided into 5 sections :
➢ The moonlight garden to the north of the
river Yamuna.
➢ The riverfront terrace, containing the
mausoleum, mosque and jawab.
➢ The Charbagh garden containing
pavilions.
➢ The jilaukhana for the tomb attendants
and two subsidiary tombs.
➢ The Taj Ganj, originally a bazzar and
caravanserai only traces of which are still
preserved. The great gate lies between
the jilaukhana and the garden.
➢ Levels gradually descend in steps from
the Taj Ganji towards the river.
SITE PLAN :
 TAJ GANJ & FORE COURT :

❖ The area directly outside of the forecourt is known today

as Taj Ganj.
❖ It was once a large teeming bazzar with stalls containing
gems and other luxuries.

❖ The Taj Mahal is split into three sections and the

forecourt is the second in importance.
❖ The other two sections are : the main mausoleum
area, and the Taj Ganj.
❖ The imposing sandstone gateway is the main
entrance to the mausoleum.
❖ The fore court is enveloped by a red sandstone wall

that consisted of 128 shops.

 THE TAJ GATEWAY:

❖ S p r e a d o v e r a w i d t h o f 1 5 0 f e e t a n d s t a n d i ng t a l l
at 100 feet, the Taj Gateway has the entrance to
the monument.

❖ M a d e o f r e d s a n d s t o ne , t h i s t h r e e s t o r e y e d
building is topped by cupolas or chattris.

❖ C a l l i g r a phy w a s u s e d t o i n s c r i be h o l y k o r a n i c
v e r s e s o n t h e w a l l s o f t h e g a t e wa y .
 TAJ MAHAL GARDENS :
❖ The gardens in the Mughal Era were heavily influenced by the
Persian style.
❖ The holy Qoran describes paradise as a garden, so we see
that most Mughal monuments mostly always accompany
beautiful gardens, as a representation of heaven.
❖ The Taj Mahal gardens are no exception and have been
designed in the “Char bagh” style, that is, divided into four
parts, the number four being sacred number in islam.
❖ These main four parts are divided using water channels, each
channel joining the centre.
❖ At the centre, halfway between the tomb and the gateway,
where the four water channels meet is a raised marble lotus
– tank with a cusped border called the “al-kawthar” that
signifies ‘ the celestial pool of abundance.’
❖ The tank was so positioned that one can perfectly see that
Taj Mahal’s reflection in its waters.
❖ The four main gardens beds are further divided by paved
stone walkways into four beds each, making a total of 16
flower beds.
TAJ MAHAL EXTERIOR
FLOOR PLAN :
▪ It comprises 4 floors; the lower
b a s e m e nt s t o r y c o n t a i ni n g t h e t o m b s o f
S h a h J a h a n a n d M u m t a z, t h e e n t r a nc e
s t o r y c o n t a i ni ng i d e nti c a l c e n o t a ph s o f
the tombs below in a much more
e l a bo r a t e c h a m b e r, a n a m b u l a to r y s t o r y
a n d a r o o f t e r r a c e . T h e e n t r a nc e t o t h e
t o m b l e a ds y o u t o t h e c e n t r a l h a l l , w h i c h
h o u s e s t h e f a l s e t o m b s . A l t o g e t he r 1 6
rooms — 8 on each level — surround the
c e n t r a l c h a m b e r, T h e s e r o o m s a l s o
contain arches which help support the
w e i g ht o f t h e b u i l di ng .
The dome :
• T h e m o s t r e m a r k a bl e p a r t o f t h e T a j
Mahal.

• E n o r mo u s w h i t e o n i o n s h a p e d d o m e
c r o w n i ng t h e t o m b .

•Located at the exact center of the

s t r u c t ur e , t h e m a i n d o m e i s f l a n k e d b y f o u r
smaller ones on it four corners.

•The onion shaped dome of the Taj Mahal

s i t s o n a m a s s i ve d r u m t h a t a d d s s u p p o r t
t o t h e c i r c ul a r t o p .

• T h e d r u m i s a l s o i n t ri c a t e l y d e s i g ne d w i t h
superb inlay work.
THE DOME :
• T h e w e i g ht o f t h e d o m e w a s d i s t ri b ute d
t o t h e b u i l di ng o n w h i c h i t w a s r e s t e d a n d
t h e n o n t o t h e i w a ns a n d a r c h e s , f r o m
w h i c h i t w a s t r a n s f e rre d t o t h e p l i n ths a n d
f o u n d a t i o n.

• The dome is actually double shelled, and

t h e i n t e ri o r f a l s e d o m e w a s m a d e m u c h
smaller to be in proportion to the inner
c h a m b e r.

• T h i s g a v e t h e b u i l di n g p e r f e c t v i s u a l
b a l a n c e ; e x t r a o rdi n a ry f r o m t h e o u t s i d e
a n d c o m f o r t a bl e s m a l l f r o m t h e i n s i d e .
S i m i la r t e c h n i qu e i s u s e d a t S t P a u l ' s
C a t he dra l i n L o n d o n .
 Chattris :
• T h e m o s t p r o m i n e nt a r e t h e m a i n f o u r
c h a t t ri s , w h i c h f l a n k t h e f o u r c o r n e r s o f
the onion dome.

TAJ MAHAL “CHATTRIS” FLANK • H a vi ng a n o c t a g o n a l b a s e

THE MAIN DOME FROM FOUR
SIDES
• w i th s m a l l a r c h e s o n e a c h o f t h e e i g h t
sides
SIMILAR CHATTRIS ON THE
TOP OF THE MINARETS
• T h e t o p i s n i c e l y f i n i s h e d w i t h a n i n v e rt e d
l o t u s w i t h a g o l d f i n i a l r i s i ng f r o m i t s
s u m m i t.

• C h a tt ri s a r e a l s o p r e s e nt a t t h e t o p s o f
OPEN LOTUS
t h e f o u r t a l l m i n a r e ts . O p e n o r n a m e nti ng
ORNAMENTING
THE CHATTRIS c h a t t ri s T a j M a h a l " C ha t tri s " f l a n k t h e m a i n
dome from four sides lotus the Similar
C h a tt ri s o n t h e t o p o f t h e m i n a re ts
Minarets :
•The Taj Mahal's minarets detached from the main
tomb

•Standing tall at 138 feet were intelligently

designed with a slant towards the outward side.

•This was done so that in case of any minaret

topples, it causes no damage to the central dome.

•These four minarets rise from the plinth with an

eight sided base and a circular pillar.

•On the top of the pillar is an octagonal balcony.

Decorated with delicate inlay work and beautiful

carvings.

•The balcony is encircled with geometric patterns

and floral motifs.

•It may have been built as a watch tower or a

place from where the "muezzin" calls for prayers.
 Iwans

The tradition of having iwans in both residential and public

buildings found their way into Mughal architecture.

• By definition, iwans are vaulted spaces covered by three

sides and open from one. •They normally have an ornate
gateway that was called a " pishtaq".

•The Taj Mahal's front facade is dominated with " iwans", the
main one lying just below the onion shaped dome.
THE TAJ MAHAL Iwan with an ornate "Pishtaq"
•There are eight smaller ones on the front face equally
intricately designed.

•The monument has 28 iwans in all, with four main iwans on

the four faces of the structure. •The other 24 iwans are
identical in size with four on each face and two on the angled
sides.
Guldastas :

•Even the smallest areas had design elements

like the "guldastas" that flank the exterior of
the Taj.

• "Guldastas" is the Urdu terminology for the

flower topped pinnacles that rise from the
main sides of the structure. These " guldastas"
are not originally Mughal, but were an
integral part of the Sayed architecture They
were added to the Taj Mahal purely for beauty
and lends the building a sense of height.
•Decorated with lotus petals, the guldastas
are topped with gold finials.
Tomb :
• The tomb is the central focus

•It stands on a square plinth •It consists of a symmetrical

building with an iwan topped by a large dome and finial.

• Its basic elements are Persian in origin •On each of these

sides, a huge pishtaq, or vaulted archway, frames the iwan
with two similarly shaped, arched balconies stacked on either
side.

•Chamfered corners forming an unequal octagon that is

approximately 55 meters (180 ft) on each of the four long side.

• The Taj Mahal is situated on a raised platform which is over 6

meters high.

•The actual Tomb of Shah Jahan is in the basement below the

platform. •Surmounted by a curving dome which is over 60m
long on each side. •Height is over 60m at its pinnacle.
•Platform covers 94 sq m area.
 The Interior
•Staircases lead to the upper storey that has
four octagonal rooms.

•The rooms also have balconies with jali

screens to allow light and air to filter in to
the chambers. Balcony of the octagonal rooms
BALCONY OF THE OCTAGONAL ROOMS ON TOP
FLOOR OF THE TAJ MAHAL on top floor of the Taj Mahal

•All the interior walls of the mausoleum have

huge arches that have jalis to allow air and
light. Jali screens that allow light and air
inside the masoleum

•The shining marble cladded on the walls are

decorated with beautiful floral patterns using
carving and inlay work.

JALI SCrEENS THAT ALLOW LIGHT AND AIR INSIDE

THE MASOLEUM
Ornamentation and
Mouldings :

•The Taj Mahal depicts elaborate carvings

with around forty three different kinds of
gems used.

•The carving at the Taj Mahal is done using a

technique called “manabbat kari”, which
essentially is a carving that stands out from a
flat surface.

•The manabbat kari process involves drawing

the flower patterns directly on the marble
with henna and then using fine chisels to
carve them out.
INLAY WORK

FLORAL MOULDING
 FLORAL ORNAMENTATION

JALI WORK

JALI RAILING
FLOORING PATTERN
 Materials, Cost and
Calligraphy
• The Taj Mahal was constructed using
materials from all over India and Asia. The
buildings are constructed with walls of brick
and rubble inner cores faced with either
marble or sandstone locked together with iron
dowels and clamps.

• 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 in slightly larger

script to reduce the skewing effect when
viewed from below.
Calligraphy
• Throughout the complex, passages from the
Qur'an are used as decorative elements.
STROM WATER
MANAGEMENT
WATER
SYSTEM
The Mosque
•The tomb of Mumtaz Mahal has a mosque or the "Masjid"
to its left.

• Built of red sandstone, the structure complements the

pristine white mausoleum. •Spread over 210 feet in length
and 90 feet in width, the mosque stands on a raised
platform.

•The front face of the mosque boasts of one big central

iwan and two smaller ones perched on either side on the
main one.

•The central dome is flanked by two smaller ones on either

side and the four corners of the mosque have a chattri.
•Other design features include the guldastas or the
pinnacles that flank the sides of the iwans

• Either side of the major iwan is two smaller arches

sandwiched between four towering pinnacles. The spandrels
above the arches are studded with colored marble inlay and
the mosque dados feature naturalistic floral designs. On the
roof and complementing the arches below are three marble -
coated domes. Inverted lotus shaped designs cloak the top
of the domes, surmounted by gilded finials. On the four
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