Investigation of construction techniques used for the foundation of the Taj Mahal in India

Abstract

The study introduced in this paper confirms that the foundation system of the Taj Mahal in India consists of wells, arches and piers constructed from stone blocks, bricks, watertight mortar and some local materials. Over the 360 year construction period of the Taj Mahal, the site has undergone several changes such as changes in river flow patterns, pollution of river water and new constructions close to the monument; they are pivotal in causing damage to the foundation. Therefore, it is in dire need of conservation, as any damage to it can endanger components of the structure above the foundation. However, there is a dearth of construction information available for comparison between then and now. In this paper, data from available literature were extracted for the analysis of the materials and construction process used at that time. Details of construction materials and techniques are an integral part of structural changes required to conserve the monument in the future.