TAJ MAHAL PALACE

ABOUT BUILDING

City - Bhopal
Country - India
Construction started-1871
Completed-1884
Architectural Style - Indo-Saracenic style
Ownership- Till 2005, Royal Family
2005-2013 State Archive Department
In 2014 handed over to M.P. Tourism Department
SITE MAP

Can be approached
via 2 ways:-
1) Taj-ul-Masjid road
[Red Path]
2) Shahjahanabad Road
through the
Shahjahanabad Gate
[Brown Path]
Near By Landmarks:-
1)Taj-Ul-Masjid
2)Motia Talab
3)Bab E Ali stadium
4)Shahjahanabad gate
HISTORY

• The building was originally named Raj Mahal ("royal palace").

• It was built for residence of Begum Sultan Shah Jahan, Begum of Bhopal.
• Its construction spanned over a period of 13 years, from 1871 to
1884.And cost around Rs 30,00,000 at that time.
• Originally called Raj Mahal, but renamed Taj Mahal on the suggestion of
the British.
• this was one of the largest palaces ever built at the time, and was part
of a complex of monuments together with the Benazir Palace (the
begum’s summer residence) and the Taj-ul-Masjid (one of the largest
mosques in Asia), along with three surrounding lakes.
PLAN OF TAJ MAHAL PALACE

CONCEPT
Within the layout, varying degrees of public-ness
and private-ness were achieved by positioning
courtyards at various levels and behind screen-
like elements, similar to the architecture of the
many mahals in the old city.
SPACES IN TAJ MAHAL PALACE

• 50 feet by 50 feet gallery in the

courtyard
• Palace has 120 rooms in total
• A sheesh mahal
SHEESH MAHAL
• An elaborate fountain structure called
“savan bhadon” that simulated the
effect of rain
• The Benazir Palace (the begum’s
summer residence)

FOUNTAIN STRUCTURE
BENAZIR PALACE ( SAVAN BHADON)
 ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES OF BUILDING

It reflects multiple influences - British, French, Mughal, Arabic and

Indian architecture. The Taj Mahal has unique features.
COLUMNS ARCHES DOMES
The columns are in shape
of inverted lotus reminding
one of the features Of GUPTA
Style Of Architecture along
with influence of indo-
Islamic architecture.
 ENTRANCE

• Enter and be prepared to be awed at the height

of the portico that you find yourself in. This was
the area from which horse drawn buggies
(carriages) entered the palace. Stories abound
that the width and height of this area was so
designed that even a large carriage with four
horses could be easily driven in without any
difficulty.
• Before you enter the portico however, take a
look at an oval-shaped mirror located on top of
the front facade. Centuries of dust and grime
have now coated it almost black, but at the
height of the palace's glory, the three-inch thick
mirror, imported from Belgium, shone
resplendently
SHEESH MAHAL

• Semicircular multi centered arches are used in the Sheesh Mahal. These
seem to have a colonial influence from British and French Savan Bhadon
Pavilion was used as a rain shield. And glass work is also done.
 PASSIVE COOLING SYSTEMS

1]However, one of the interesting structures that is

still intact, lies in the center of the large courtyard.
This small building called Sawan-Bhadon has spouts all
along, through which water was poured to keep the
place cool during summer. . The Begum, incidentally,
loved to play Holi and before the festival, silver
pichkaris were sent along with an invitation card to
select ladies.
2] The minarets of the palace have little holes through
which water was let out on frequent intervals to keep
the palace cool during summers. The cooling system
was based on underground water reservoirs. Begum
Shah Jahan was inspired by Gond Mahal near
Islamnagar which had a similar cooling system.
OVERVIEW

Mahal is a mixture of Islamic and Hindu architectural elements.

There are cusped arches, massive gateways, screen windows at
upper levels, extensive mouldings, decorative plasterwork and squat
homes with jharokhas. The detailing on the inner courtyard facades
seemed to have a colonial influence.
The Taj Mahal had a long courtyard with a fountain structure
constructed in carved red stone. This exquisite fountain structure
the Sawan Bhadon sahan is the centerpiece of this large complex.
When it was operational, the sawan created an effect similar to the
rains. Air ducts insulated with earthen pots brought cool air from
the Motia Talab located at the south.
VIEWS ON PRESENT CONDITION OF PROJECT

• Despite all this doom and gloom, the

future may be looking brighter for
the Taj Mahal Palace in Bhopal.
There are new plans being drawn up
to save this monument from the
brink. In 2017 a private builder from
Indore has stepped forward with
proposals to develop the palace into
a heritage hotel. Mockup pictures of
the renovated palace and site plans
were available to see.
Of course these artists impressions of how the heritage hotel
will look is a little distant from how the palace was at its zenith,
but I guess this is the compromise you have to face. The alternative
is quite likely to be almost no palace remaining if another 70 years
asses with continued neglect.
It does of course also pose a challenge for the palace’s
relationship with the locals of Bhopal, it is their heritage
after all. In becoming a heritage hotel the palace will become the refuge of the wealthy, no doubt with
a hefty entrance fee or any casual observers. But then what we have today is essentially a closed
building, falling down, and with little interest from the public. So perhaps this new lease of life for the
Taj Mahal Palace in Bhopal is the best outcome we can hope for.
SKETCHES
REFERENCES

• SPA BHOPAL’S Report

• Wikipedia
• https://kevinstandagephotography.wordpress.com/2018/03/06/ta
j-mahal-palace-bhopal/
• Newspaper [Hindustan Times-
https://www.hindustantimes.com/bhopal/bhopal-s-taj-mahal-to-
turn-in-a-heritage-hotel-in-2017/story-
CUgzcRb7gycN8iI94G5fFN.html]
• https://www.rediff.com/news/2006/nov/27taj.htm
THANK YOU

• By- Anand Kumar Singh [171110238]

• Kural [1711100]
• Ayush Verma [17111020]
• Ravi Kumar [1711100]
• Durga Majhi [1711100]
• Manish Mahipal [1511102]