Posted on: 29 October 2012

Relief panel of white marble with inlaid border of pietra-dura work on the inside of the entrance to the Taj Mahal, Agra.

Marks and inscriptions : 'Panell at the Entrance of the Taje'

These drawings were from a portfolio of drawings made by Delhi artists working in Calcutta for Colonel Pownell Phipps, father of the donor and Superintendent and Inspector of Public Buildings, Calcutta, 1816-1822.

Taj Mahal; Drawings, Delhi, ca.1816-1822

Copyright: © V&A Images


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Wasnt double cover (shallow dome + bigger superstructure) a technique used extensively in Indian temples (Mandapa construction) :-) Would people know such structures are known elsewhere too?

This double dome structure was also used by Sir Christopher Wren for St. Paul's Cathedral reaching to a height of over 350 feet. Also designed for St.Peter's Basilica and Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. There are quite a few such structures from the 16-17th century onwards but none reaching to the heights of St. Paul's, Taj and St. Peter's.

double ceilings were in vogue, since ancient times in India. Nothing imported in the method. Only the shapes of cielings, e.g. Dome, changed wd times

Quite so. In fact even domes are definitely seen in Hindu architecture as well, from1100s onwards for certain. The only question is whether we can find more domes prior to the ones mentioned here.