Contents
Preface 6
Introduction: The Mughal Dynasty, Shah Jahan And Mumtaz Mahal 8
I. Mughal Agra, A Riverfront Garden City 22
The Mughal Garden, Its Buildings And Its Ownership 24
The Riverfront Garden City 29
RECONSTRUCTION OFTHE RIVERFRONT SCHEME 34
The Gardens Of The Left Bank 34
The Gardens Of The Right Bank 58
II. The Construction Of The Taj Mahal 82
Shah Jahan And Architecture 83
Imperial Mausoleums - A 'Built Tomb' Controversy 85
The Architects Of The Taj Mahal 89
Craftsmen, Materials, And Construction Techniques 90
Construction History And Celebrations Of The Anniversaries Of Mumtaz Mahal's Death 97 Death And Burial Of Shah Jahan 101
III. More Than A Tomb: The Parts Of The Taj Mahal 102
The Design 103
The Principles of Shahjahani Architecture 104
The Principles As Expressed In The Taj Mahal 104
Modular Planning Of The Taj Mahal By Richard Andre'Barraud 108
A WALK THROUGH THE TAJ MAHAL COMPLEX 114
The Jilaukhana (Forecourt) Zone 115
The Great Gate 126
The Southern Galleries 134
The Garden 136
The Garden-Wall Pavilions 140
The Riverfront Terrace And The Marble Platform Of The Mausoleum 144
The Mausoleum 152
The Minarets 180
The Mosque and Mihman Khana, Or Assembly Hall 181
The Side Wings 194
The Towers of the Riverfront Terrace 195
The Bazaar and Caravanserai Complex (Taj Ganj) 200
The Waterworks 208 Buildings Outside The Wall 209
IV. The Paradisiacal House Of The Queen 214
The Symbolism Of White Marble And Red Sandstone 215
Naturalistic Ornament As An Expression Of Paradise 217
The Inscriptions 224
Sound As An Expression Of Eternity 228
Funerary And Commemorative Rites 229
V. Everybody's Taj Mahal 230
Early Travellers And Picturesque Discovery 231
In British Hands 237
Visitors And Comments 244
The Taj Mahal In Popular Culture 247
Conservation And Future 250
Postscript: Visiting The Taj Mahal 254
Map Of Mughal India 255
Lahauri's Account Of The Complex On The Occasion Of Its Formal Completion, On The Twelfth Anniversary Of Mumtaz Mahal's Death 256
Factflle: Detailed Measurements Of The Taj Mahal Complex By Richard Andrebarraud 258
Glossary 260
Notes 263
Select Bibliography 276
Sources Of Illustrations 281
Index 283
Author's Acknowledgments 288