RR 10

The Taj Mahal.

One of the more iconic images representative of Indian culture.

 

    Shah Jahan was an emperor of the Mughal empire during the golden age of Mughal architecture.  He had inherited a prosperous empire and in an age of peace, Jahan was free to indulge in the cultural arts: poetry, literature, art, not to mention architecture.  After the death of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, he began the construction of the Taj Mahal.  Starting in the year 1632, it took a solid 21 years to complete.  

     The base of the Taj Mahal is octagonal in shape with chamfered corners and vaulted arches lining each of these sides.  The idea was to have the vaulted arches imitate the chamfered corners.  From here, it is only natural that the dome should be addressed.  It the most unique feature of the structure.  Given its shape, this style of dome is often referred to as the onion dome.  It is decorated with a lotus design to accentuate the narrowing towards the very tip.  The centrality of the dome is further emphasized by the four smaller domes placed in the formation of a square to the immediate sides of the larger one. 

The domes of the Taj Mahal.

      The Taj Mahal also features four minarets, each towering at more than 40 meters tall.  These show the designer's need for congruence and symmetry.  However, more than aesthetics, the minarets have a practical use.  They are a traditional aspect of Islamic architecture and are used to call Muslims to prayer. 

One of the four minarets, depicting the perimeter around the structure.