Taj Mahal - Iwans

The tradition of having iwans in both residential and public buildings found their way into Mughal architecture although originally they were found in the Parthian Empire as early as (247 BC–AD 224). By definition, iwans are vaulted spaces covered by three sides and open from one. They normally have an ornate gateway that was called a "pishtaq". The Taj Mahal's front facade is dominated with "iwans", the main one lying just below the onion shaped dome. There are eight smaller ones on the front face equally intricately designed.

The Taj Mahal Iwan with an ornate "Pishtaq"

The monument has 28 iwans in all, with four main iwans on the four faces of the structure. The other 24 iwans are identical in size with four on each face and two on the angled sides. The iwans add to the grandiose of the monument bymany folds.