4th History Group Workshop
Taj Mahal , In search of the essence of its beauty
Geometrical Proportioning in Mughal Architecture
10th – 18th February 2013
As has become the tradition, a 10 day workshop was organized by the History Group of the Department of Architecture and Planning NEDUET titled “Taj Mahal- In search of the essence of its beauty” from 10th till 18th February, 2013. This was the fourth in the History Group Islamic Architecture Workshop Series held annually. The workshop was successfully conducted by Architect Taimoor Khan Mumtaz.
The essence of the Islamic Architecture is reflected in the use of underlying geometric principles and proportioning system. The workshop this year was based on the analysis of the Mughal period architecture with focus on studying the geometric proportioning system applied in the Taj Mahal, as the title states.
The workshop was broadly divided into two parts; the development of basic understanding through lectures and readings from the Workshop reader. The second part was the practical application of the use of geometry through analysis of plans, elevations and sections. The last 4 days prior to the exhibition constituted a focused and serious analysis of some 17th century Mughal buildings leading to the analysis of the ‘Taj’. The analysis was both modular, (where the Ilahi Gaz grid was used, Ilahi gaz is approximately .81m-.82m) and geometric. The results of the analysis became the major portion of the exhibition and display.
The workshop ended with the display of the work done throughout on Thursday 21st Feb 2013. The workshop conductor Taimoor Khan Mumtaz is a great mentor for the participants. With his knowledge and grasp on the topic and his continued zeal, workshop becomes a positive learning experience for the students not only in DAP-NEDUET but from other schools of architecture. Having it 4th year in a row is a proof of the interest within the student body for learning the tradition of Islamic Architecture and Art in the culture from which we belong.
