Twenty-two
years, thirty-two million rupees and more than twenty thousand workers!
All these were spent into construction of just one magnificent building
- Taj Mahal. The final version of Taj was ultimately finished in 1648.
The documents and records related to the construction of Taj cite Ustad
Isa as its chief architect. Isa was a very famous architect of his time
and was well versed in the Islamic architecture. There are other names
that contributed to complete this grand work in these documents along
with the inventory of the construction materials along with the place
from where they were brought. The skilled craftsmen from Delhi, Kannauj,
Lahore, and Multan, all did their part and the renowned Muslim craftsmen
that came here all the way from Baghdad, Shiraz and Bukhara handled the
specialized tasks.Standing on a raised square podium that measures 186 x 186 feet, the architectural design of Taj uses the interlocking arabesque concept according to which though each element is complete in itself, yet it integrates perfectly to look as though it is a part of the main structure. The corners of the platform are truncated to form an unequal octagon. Self-replicating symmetry and geometry of architectural elements are the ruling principles in the design of Taj. The central dome is fifty-eight feet in diameter where it is fullest and is as high as 213 feet. The four subsidiary domed chambers border it along with the four slender minarets that are 162.5 feet high. The inlaid design of flowers attracts the attention of the tourists as well as the calligraphy done in precious and semi-precious gems such as agate and jasper. There are Quranic inscriptions and the flowery scrollwork on the main archways. The chief architectural elements of Taj include the main gateway, a vast beautifully planned garden, a mosque to its left, a guesthouse to its right and the main tomb. We present here a brief account of:
