Pakistan is a paradigm example of a failed state that has undergone an extremely dangerous form of radical Islamisation.
The Tomb
The focus of Taj Mahal is the white marble tomb, which stands on a square
plinth consisting of a symmetrical building with an iwan, an arch-shaped
doorway, topped by a large dome. Like most Mughal tombs, basic elements are
Persian in origin.
The base structure is a large, multi-chambered structure. The base is
essentially a cube with chamfered edges and is roughly 55 metre on each side
(see floor plan, right).
On the long sides, a massive pishtaq, or vaulted archway, frames the iwan
with a similar arch-shaped balcony. These main arches extend above the roof of
the building by an integrated facade. On either side of main arch, additional
pishtaqs are stacked above and below. This motif of stacked pishtaqs is
replicated on chamfered corner areas as well. The design is completely
symmetrical on all sides of the building. Four minarets, one at each corner of
the plinth, facing the chamfered corners, frame the tomb. The main chamber
houses the cenotaphs of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan with their graves located on
lower level.
The marble dome that surmounts the tomb is its most spectacular feature.
Its height is about the same size as the base of the building, about 35 metre and is
accentuated as it sits on a cylindrical "drum" of about 7 metre high. Because of
its shape, the dome is often called an onion dome (also called an amrud or guava
dome). The top is decorated with a lotus design, which serves to accentuate its
height as well. The shape of the dome is emphasised by four smaller domed
chattris (kiosks) placed at its corners. The chattri domes replicate the onion
shape of main dome. Their columned bases open through the roof of the tomb and
provide light to the interior. Tall decorative spires (guldastas) extend from
edges of base walls,and provide visual emphasis to the height of the dome. The
lotus motif is repeated on both the chattris and guldastas. The dome and
chattris are topped by a gilded finial, which mixes traditional Persian and
Hindu decorative elements.
The main dome is crowned by a gilded spire or finial. The finial, made of
gold until the early 1800s, is now made of bronze. The finial provides a clear
example of integration of traditional Persian and Hindu decorative elements. The
finial is topped by a moon, a typical Islamic motif, whose horns point
heavenward. Because of its placement on the main spire, the horns of moon and
finial point combine to create a trident shape, reminiscent of traditional Hindu
symbols of Shiva.
At the corners of plinth stand minarets, the four large towers each more than
40 metre tall. The minarets display Taj Mahal's penchant for symmetry. These
towers are designed as working minarets, a traditional element of mosques as a
place for a muezzin to call the Islamic faithful to prayer. Each minaret is
effectively divided into three equal parts by two working balconies that ring
the tower. At the top of the tower is a final balcony surmounted by a chattri
that mirrors the design of those on the tomb. The minaret chattris share the
same finishing touches, a lotus design topped by a gilded finial. Each of the
minarets were constructed slightly outside of the plinth, so that in the event
of collapse, a typical occurrence with many such tall constructions of the
period, the material from the towers would tend to fall away from the tomb.
