Darwaza-i rauza: Main gateway to the Taj Mahal

Описание: The Gateway to the Taj Mahal is a unique piece of architecture in itself and separates the gardens from the forecourt. Rising approximately 100 feet and with a width of 150 feet, this red sandstone building is of three stories, and is adorned with calligraphy the noblest craft of the day. The gateway is an atmospheric transition point between the bustling world outside and the tranquil ambiance within the grounds of the Taj Mahal. It both protects the Taj from predators, yet invites visitors to enter the garden of Paradise. The imposing brass door is not the original which was studded with silver rupees, and was stolen by rebels in 1764.

The first of many Arabic inscriptions in a calligraphic scheme guided specifically by Qur'anic quotations appears around the south door of the gateway. The calligrapher, Amanat Khan has used the tromp l'oeil effect. This involves the gradual enlarging of the letters and their spacing as they snake around the form of the arch. The result is seemingly consistent dimensions as you read the holy lettering from the ground. Crowning the gateway are twenty two small ornamental chhatris and these are placed in two lines of eleven above the main portal. In each of the four corners are larger kiosks, all of which echo the overall design of the Taj Mahal complex.


The Taj Mahal is a white Marble mausoleum located in Agra, India. It was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal is widely recognized as "the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage.

Taj Mahal is the finest example of Mughal architecture, a style that combines elements from Persian, Turkish and Indian architectural styles.

In 1983, the Taj Mahal became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While the white domed marble mausoleum is the most familiar component of the Taj Mahal, it is actually an integrated complex of structures. The construction began around 1632 and was completed around 1653, employing thousands of artisans and craftsmen. The construction of the Taj Mahal was entrusted to a board of architects under imperial supervision, including Abd ul-Karim Ma'mur Khan, Makramat Khan, and Ustad Ahmad Lahauri. Lahauri is generally considered to be the principal designer.

Source: Wikipedia

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