The Secret Of The TaJ Mahal - Part 6

Continued From: http://theforgottenempiresofindia.blogspot.ca/2016/02/the-secret-of-taj-mahal-part-5.html

We return to the Taj Mahal complex, armed with fresh set of information. As we wander through the complex, our eyes now start to notice details which were at first hidden. Apart from the main building, the complex also contains stables, cowsheds, guest houses, and a drum house. Why does a tomb require stables, cowshed and drum house? We can expect to see stables, cowshed and drum house in a temple or a palace but not in a tomb. When we enter through the Western Gate, we see many rooms on either side of the road making the Taj Complex more suitable to be a residential complex than a tomb. We also notice eleven kalash (pinnacles) above the South Gate. Could it be that the Taj was originally built as a Shiva temple with one kalash for each of the eleven Rudras? 

Most people assume that the Taj is an Islamic building because of its domed roof. The ancient kingdoms of India have sported domed roofs on many of their buildings. Similar type of domed roof can be found in many temples across India. The kings of the Vijayanagar kingdom had incorporated such roofs in their buildings around the city. Moreover, the Taj dome is carved in the shape of lotus petals. The lotus flower is the symbol of Hinduism and not of Islam. 

The central dome of the Taj sports a beautiful pinnacle. To the untrained eye, the pinnacle appears in the form of a crescent moon but, closer inspection makes it very clear that it is the sculpture of a Hindu kalash (water pot) topped with a coconut and mango leaves. The pinnacles on top of the Mosques sport a C- shaped crescent and do not look like the pinnacle of the Taj. 

The Taj mahal is also surrounded on four corners by what looks to be minarets. Why should a tomb have minarets? The purpose of a minaret is to call the faithful to prayer. Why aren’t any minaret located at the Mosque inside the Taj complex? Minarets usually rise from the shoulder of the mosque and are taller than the mosque. The so called minarets around the Taj are shorter than the Taj. They look more like watch towers part of a palace than minarets. 

 The octagonal structure of the Taj and the octagonal cupolas in the four towers around the Taj give it a Hindu aura. The number 8 is sacred for Hindus who worship the guardians of the eight direction whereas, 8 has no significance in Islam. Also, why does the mosque face East? The mosques are supposed to be oriented so that they face Holy Mecca. Were the builders unable to distinguish between East and West? 

The first thing we notice is a recess above the entrance. It is customary to place an idol of Lord Ganesha in the recess. We are further surprised to see a large well inside the building. The windows of the various rooms open into the well. It must have been very comfortable in the summer time because of the air cooled by the water. The well goes down seven storey down to reach the water table. It must have been convenient for the people living in the rooms on all the seven storey which open into the well to draw water from their rooms.

The decorations of flower pots on the walls are typical Rajput designs called Ghulab Dhani. Please see similar design in the attached photo of the Deeg Palace of Bharatpur , Rajasthan. Where do the many secret stairways which are walled up lead? What are in the secret rooms which have been blocked by a crudely built brick wall?

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