The Octagonal Tower is an exquisitely carved tower where Shah
Jahan spent the last seven years of his life. The tower was
considered to provide one of the best views of the Taj but today the
pollution has reduced the visibility. The tower, and much of the
Agra Fort, is in bad shape but blank spaces and the empty inlay
works give an idea of how this building must have looked in its
prime.
This exquisitely carved tower is close to the Diwan-i- Khas. It was
here that Shah Jahan spent last seven years of his life imprisoned
by his son Aurangzeb. The tower was considered to provide one of the
best views of the Taj but today the pollution has reduced the
visibility. The tower is in bad shape today but blank spaces and the
empty inlay works give an idea how this building must have looked in
those days.
On the left of the Khas Mahal is the Musamman Burj, an octagonal
tower with an open pavilion build by Shahjahan for his beloved wife
Mumtaz Mahal. It is made of delicate marble lattices with ornamental
niches for the ladies of the court to gaze out, unseen. The chamber
with a marble dome on top, is surrounded by a verandah with a
beautiful carved fountain in the center. The tower looks out over
the River Yamuna and is traditionally considered to have one of the
most poignant views of the Taj. This is where Shah Jahan spent his
last few years as a captive of his son Aurangazeb and where he lay
on his death bed, gazing at the Taj.
The marble prayer chamber on the western side is about 159’ x
56’ and is three aisles deep with an arcade of seven arches.
Out of the twenty-one bays of the chamber only three have vaulted
soffits whereas others are spanned by horizontal beams. In the
interior a beautifully carved and inlaid mihrab has been provided on
the western wall. Six niches have also been provided on the western
wall corresponding to the arches of the façade. The pulpit
has four steps, instead of the usual three. On either side’s
chambers for the women worshippers was provided.
They were connected to the main hall by screen of marble lattice
work. The arcade was protected by a chhajja and above the parapet
seven beautiful square chhatris was provided. At each corner of the
prayer chamber an octagonal tower crowned by a marble cupola was
provided. Similar towers were also provided on the north-eastern and
south-eastern corners of the open marble courtyard in front of the
mosque. Three graceful bulbous domes crown the prayer chamber. The
central dome was a little larger and higher than the other two. The
entablature over the front row of arches bears a long Persian
inscription in Nastaliq inlaid in black slate.
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