Inside Taj Mahal

The architectural complex of the Taj Mahal consists of the main gateway, the symmetrically planned garden, the mosque, the rest house, and the the Taj Mahal mausoleum. The actual Tomb is situated inside the Taj.

Inside Story
Taj Mahal, about 900 ft away at the north end of the garden, stands on two bases, one of sandstone and above it, is a raised, square platform (186 x 186 feet) worked into a black and white chessboard design and topped by a huge blue-veined white marble terrace. The four corners of the platform are adorned by four white minarets, each of them 41.6m high.

The mausoleum, which is the central on the platform, is square structure with beveled corners. Each side is 56.6 m long with two pointed arches flanking a large central arch. While each corner is decked with small domes, the centre has the main double dome topped by a brass finial. The exterior portions are emblazoned with exquisite calligraphy, beautifully carved basso relievo panels and inlay work in the form of immaculately proportioned large floral tendrils which cover the surface of the white marble. The calligraphy of the high domed ceiling of the octagonal main chamber is done in a kind of trompe l'oeil style, which creates a decorative illusion- the letters gradually increase in size as they go up the side of the structure, so that from the ground all letters appear perfectly uniform. The calligraphy mainly consists of verses from the Quran and melodies of musicians.

The Tombs
In the middle of the main chamber there are the pseudo- tombs of Mumtaz and Shah Jehan. The original tombs lie in a lower-burial vault. A marble screen surrounds the tombs. It is cut with such finesse that it appears almost translucent. Both tombs are embellished with precious stones and gems brought from far flung places of the world. While the top of Mumtaz's tomb is embellished with the 99 names of Allah, Shah Jahan's tomb is set with a pen box, the stylemark of a male ruler.