Heading east from Iran, the Taj Majal is an example
of the Persian garden style, adapted by the Mughals in India. The Taj Majal was
built in Agra in northern India by the Mughal ruler, Shah Jahan, over a period of 22 years (1632 – 1654) as a tomb for his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The
beautiful white marble dome, and the exquisite, intricate geometric tile work
help make the mausoleum an important example of Mughal architecture (it is a
UNESCO World Heritage site).
The Taj is situated between the banks of the river Yamua, and a chahar-bagh or charbagh (garden). The garden is divided into four quadrants, each of which is further subdivided into four quadrants. A raised central channel runs between the entrance gate and tomb (originally providing irrigation).
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| Taj Majal in Agra, Northern India. Photo by RTQ, used with permission. |
The Taj is situated between the banks of the river Yamua, and a chahar-bagh or charbagh (garden). The garden is divided into four quadrants, each of which is further subdivided into four quadrants. A raised central channel runs between the entrance gate and tomb (originally providing irrigation).
Historically the garden at Taj Majal was planted with many
plants and flowers. According to Christopher Thacker, author of Thacker’s The History of Gardens, the charbagh
matched the formal gardens of Europe for their perfection. Under British rule, the plantings were
transformed to lawns; in Thacker’s opinion, the simpler plantings detract less
from the architecture.
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