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Monuments which Inspired Taj Mahal Architecture
Culture, History, Taj Mahal architecture

Monuments which Inspired Taj Mahal Architecture

The architectural marvel, the Taj Mahal is such a monument that derives the influences from well-known monuments of India and the overseas. The Emperor Shahjahan before commencing the work on the epitome of love asked the chief architects to study for the proposed Taj Mahal architecture. He also desired to set a panel of sub architects who had a mastery of engineering and architectural facets.

How did Shah Jahan envisage the Taj Mahal?

This panel surveyed various masterpieces and gained the best knowledge. They also tried to eradicate the flaws of respective monuments to create the design and plan of the Taj Mahal architecture. This enabled them to create a superb piece of art that you can appraise in your Taj mahal tour and compare it with the other wonders of the world.

Monuments to inspire Taj Mahal

Ibrahim RauzaImage result for ibrahim rauza

This mausoleum is a peerless example of medieval architecture and is the tomb of Adil Shah II and his wife. This is located in the South India district of Bijapur in Karnataka which was known in ancient times as Vijaypur. This tomb with an altitude of 360ft mesmerizes the tourist with its delicate carvings done on the ceilings and the reliefs.

The refined seems to cut out rocks give the impression of the work done on fabrics. Thus doors and windows feel to be daring out have the wood but they are in stone. The carvings done in the Agra Taj Mahal on the White Marble were inspired from this mausoleum. The calligraphic work done in the buildings out of Quranic Verses seems to be floral. Thus many people call Bijapur City as Agra of South India.

Like the Taj Mahal which was earlier known as the Rauza-x Munawara, Ibrahim Rauza also consists of a mosque beside the Tomb and stands on a plinth of 360 * 150. The tomb is based on the conventional plan and comprises a central hall surrounded by the galleries. The small tenets rise from each corner with a sun mounted dome.

As the Mughal rulers enriched the cities of Delhi Agra with the fine workmanship visible in the palaces, forts, and mosques. The same way Adilshahis rulers built more than 50 mosques, 20 palaces, and many tombs during their reign of 200 years. 

Suggested Tours

Taj Mahal Inspiration-Tomb of Itmad-Ud-Daula

This tomb of Itmad-Ud-Daula is a precursor to the Taj Mahal and is the mausoleum of Mirza Giya Beg and his family members. Mirza hailed from the city of Isphan in Iran and reached Agra Fort during the tenure of Akbar to get rid of hid hard times. By his virtue of dedication and intellect, he became closely associated with Akbar. Later his daughter Mehr was married to Akbar’s son- Jahangeer and Granddaughter Mumtaz was married to Shahjahan.

This tomb was erected by Mehr who was later given the epithet as Noor Jahan by Jahangeer. This lady built the tomb for her parents out of pure white marble. The tomb is adorned with fire tessellated work outwardly and the interior has magnificent paintings. This tomb is supposed to influence the inlaid work done in the Taj Mahal.

This took just 7 years to complete (1622-29). Thus two years before the construction of the Taj Mahal was started it was complete. This tomb is built on the typical Mughal style of char bagh (four Quartered gardens) with the tomb set amidst the four symmetrical gardens and water fountains and water causes. During your Agra sightseeing, you must include the visit of this Marvelous tomb along with the Taj Mahal. This has also three symmetrical dummy gates.

Also read our related:- A Good Move to Make the Taj Mahal Pollution Free

Po-i-Kalyan Mosque, Bukhara

Image result for po-i-kalyan

Bukhara, a dream destination of Uzbekistan abounds in historical places and monuments to visit with more than 140 architectural marvels. As this city was located in the ancient silk route it has the privileges of trade, culture, and religion.

Po-i-Kalyan is a famous religious complex situated around Kalan Minaret and literally signifies the “Foot of the Great”. This site also houses the debris of a few central cathedrals of the old fire-worshippers. Since 700 A.D many edifices were erected and demolished during the war rampage. In 1127 A.D

Arslan khan finished the construction on the cathedral mosque with the minaret. In 1514 Abdul Aziz Khan built such grand mosque which rivals with the Bibi Khanum Mosque of Samarkand. The work done on the Iwans of the Taj Mahal and the arabesque is supposed to be the instrumental influence behind the Taj Mahal and other Agra Monuments such as Chini ka Rauza, Akbar’s Tomb, Marians Tomb, Rambagh, etc. 

Suggested Tours

Gol Gumaz of Bijapur-Another inspiration for Taj Mahal

Image result for gol gumbaz of bijapur

The Gol bumbaz with a diameter of 44 meters and an altitude of 51 meters claims to be the biggest round dome of India and second in the world architecture. It was designed by the Persian architect Dabulk Yakoot in 1626 A.D. The amazing fact of it that it does not have any pillar to support the massive weight, here in the central hall lie buried the great Bijapur ruler- Ali Adil Shah.

The inner circumference of the dome has unique feature of whispering. Thus it was named as the whispering gallery during the English period. In this passage, one can hear the sound 7 times. On all the four corners there are four minarets that are supposed to influence the four minarets theme of the Taj Mahal. This tomb is erected by grey and brownish basalt stones and walls are decorated with a geometric and floral pattern. 

Suggested Tours –

Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi

This tomb built-in 1560 is the first garden-tomb of the Mughals and was erected by Humayun’s widow- Beg Begum with the support of his son Akbar. It is built in Indo-Saracens style. It finds a place on a large land patch of 27 acres with the other garden tombs such as Arab serai where craftsmen used to dwell. 

Similarly, the concept is followed at the Taj Mahal Campus where besides the main tomb some other tombs and structures also find a place. In your Golden Triangle Tour, you have a chance to compare the architecture of Humayun’s Tomb and the Taj Mahal. In this, you can see the Mosque, the Royal Guest House, the tombs of the other wives of Shahjahan and the Maids Tombs is known as Sati-ul-Nisa Khamis Tomb. The superb double some of the Humayun’s Tomb inspired the double dome at the Taj Mahal in the shape of a bulb or Arian style. The sprawling lawns in the four quartered gardens inspired the Taj Mahal gardens. 

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