Images of the Taj Mahal complex, Agra India by Ustad Ahmad Lahauri and Ustad Isa.

Taj Mahal complex--page one (of 2 pages); famous mausoleum (page 2)

Ustad Ahmad Lahauri and Ustad Isa
commissioned 1632; 1648 opened

Background
The mausoleum was commissioned by Shah Jahan in 1631, in memory of his favorite wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died giving birth to their 14th child. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, it is thought by many to be the prime example of Mughal architecture. One development, however, is that earlier Mughal buildings were built of red sandstone; in contrast, the mausoleum is pure white marble inlaid with semi-precious stones. Buildings under the patronage of Shah Jahan became more elegant and refined.
Plan
The complex is about 42 acres. with the centerpiece the mausoleum, flanked by a mosque and a guest house. The complex includes a formal garden, water features, and it is surrounded by a crenellated wall. The main gate (Darwaza i rauza) is at the bottom left of the plan. Photos on this page are within the outer part of the garden but within the walled area.

The main gateway and the lower garden precinct

The Main Gateway

Looking back toward the main entrance gate from the mausoleum side of the garden

The exterior decorations
Decorations on both the sandstone buildings and the marble tomb within the garden follow the Islamic prescription against anthropomorphic forms, using instead highly elaborate calligraphy, abstract forms or floral/vegetal motifs. Whereas white buildings use dark or black inlays, the sandstone buildings, like the main gateway here, use white inlay. Blocks of incised painting create interesting geometric forms with herringbone designs sometimes used to delineate the space.

Florid calligraphy
The calligraphy on the Great Gate reads "O Soul, thou art at rest. Return to the Lord at peace with Him, and He at peace with you"(Wikipedia}.

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© 2018 Mary Ann Sullivan. I have photographed (on site), scanned, and manipulated all the images on these pages. Please feel free to use them for personal or educational purposes. They are not available for commercial purposes.

Background The mausoleum was commissioned by Shah Jahan in 1631, in memory of his favorite wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died giving birth to their 14th child. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, it is thought by many to be the prime example of Mughal architecture. One development, however, is that earlier Mughal buildings were built of red sandstone; in contrast, the mausoleum is pure white marble inlaid with semi-precious stones. Buildings under the patronage of Shah Jahan became more elegant and refined. Plan The complex is about 42 acres. with the centerpiece the mausoleum, flanked by a mosque and a guest house. The complex includes a formal garden, water features, and it is surrounded by a crenellated wall. The main gate (Darwaza i rauza) is at the bottom left of the plan. Photos on this page are within the outer part of the garden but within the walled area.

		The main gateway and the lower garden precinct



The Main Gateway

		Looking back toward the main entrance gate from the mausoleum side of the garden

The exterior decorations Decorations on both the sandstone buildings and the marble tomb within the garden follow the Islamic prescription against anthropomorphic forms, using instead highly elaborate calligraphy, abstract forms or floral/vegetal motifs. Whereas white buildings use dark or black inlays, the sandstone buildings, like the main gateway here, use white inlay. Blocks of incised painting create interesting geometric forms with herringbone designs sometimes used to delineate the space.


Florid calligraphy The calligraphy on the Great Gate reads "O Soul, thou art at rest. Return to the Lord at peace with Him, and He at peace with you"(Wikipedia}.