Structural Details and Components of Taj Mahal

Structural Details of Taj Mahal

1. On a platform 22' high and 313' square. Each tower is 133 feet tall
Building is 186 feet high and 70 wide.
2. Corner minarets are 137' tall. Main structure 186' on a side, dome to 187'.
3. The mausoleum is 57 m (190 ft) square in plan.
4. "The central inner dome is 24.5 m (81 ft) high and 17.7 m (58 ft) in diameter, but is surmounted by an outer shell nearly 61 m (200).
5. The Taj stands on a raised, square platform (186 x 186 feet) with its four corners truncated, forming an unequal octagon.
6. The architectural design uses the interlocking arabesque concept, in which each element stands on its own and perfectly integrates with the main structure. It uses the principles of self-replicating geometry and symmetry of architectural elements.
7. Its central dome is fifty-eight feet in diameter and rises to a height of 213 feet.
8. It is flanked by four subsidiary domed chambers.
9. The four graceful, slender minarets are 162.5 feet each.
10. The entire mausoleum (inside as well as outside) is decorated with inlaid design of flowers and calligraphy using precious gems such as agate and jasper.
11. The main archways, chiseled with passages from the Holy Qur’an and the bold scroll work of flowery pattern, give a captivating charm to its beauty.
12. The central domed chamber and four adjoining chambers include many walls and panels of Islamic decoration.

Components

Finial:

Decorative crowning element of the Taj Mahal domes

Lotus decoration:

Depiction of lotus flower sculpted on tops of domes

Onion Dome:

Massive outer dome of the tomb (also called an amrud or apple dome)

Drum:

Cylindrical base of the onion dome, raising it from the main building

Guldasta:

Decorative spire attached to the edge of supporting walls

Chattri:

A domed and columned kiosk

Spandrel:

Upper panels of an archway

Calligraphy:

Stylised writing of verses from the Qu'ran framing main arches

Arch:

Also called pishtaq (Persian word for portal projecting from the facade of a building) and

Dado:

Decorative sculpted panels lining lower walls