Taj Mahal

128 ebba koch EBBA KOCH THE TAJ MAHAL: ARCHITECTURE, SYMBOLISM, AND URBAN SIGNIFICANCE Much has been written on the Taj Mahal, but little has been said about its architecture. There has been only one interpretation of the symbolism of the mausoleum,1 and the urban situation of the monument in the city of Agra has been almost entirely neglected. In brief form, this essay presents the main results of a recently completed monograph in which I address these issues. 2 The Taj Mahal is the Mughals’ great contribution to world architecture, and, as the contemporary sources reveal, it was conceived as such from the very beginning (? . 1). In the words of Shah Jahan’s early historian Muhammad Amin Qazwini, writing in the 1630s: And a dome of high foundation and a building of great magni? cence was founded—a similar and equal to it the eye of the Age has not seen under these nine vaults of the enamel-blue sky, and of anything resembling it the ear of Time has not heard in any of the past ages†¦it will be the masterpiece of the days to come, and that which adds to the astonishment of humanity at large. 3 Not only was the monument to be a magni? cent burial place for Mumtaz Mahal, Shah Jahan’s beloved wife (d. 631), but also—and this is explicitly pointed out by the emperor’s main historian {Abd al-Hamid Lahawri—it was to testify to the power and glory of Shah Jahan (r. 1628–58) and Mughal rule: They laid the plan for a magni? cent building and a dome of high foundation which for its loftiness will until the Day of Resurrection remain a memorial to the sky-reaching ambition of His Majesty, the Sahib Qiran-Thani (Second Lord of the Auspicious Conjunction of the Planets Jupiter and Venus), and its strength will represent the ? rmness of the intentions of its builder. In other words, the Taj Mahal was built with posterity in mind, and we the viewers are part of its concept. I came to study the Taj Mahal in the conte xt of a survey of the palaces and gardens of Shah Jahan that I have been conducting since 1976 as part of a larger survey of Mughal architecture. With the assistance of Dr. Yunus Jaffery from Dr. Zakir Hussain College in Delhi,5 I have established from the Persian sources a corpus of thirty-? ve Shahjahani palaces (sing. dawlatkh? na) and garden residences (sing. b? gh), of which twenty-four proved upon ? ld investigation to exist in varying sizes and states of preservation. In the whole of Islamic architecture, this is the largest extant body of palaces built by a single patron. Entirely new measured drawings of seventeen palaces were prepared by the Indian architect Richard A. Barraud, who drew them on the basis of measurements he and I made during extensive ? eldwork,6 which I undertook because many of these complexes are hardly or not at all recorded. Altogether, Mughal architecture, like the Islamic architecture of India in general, is not well documented.The art historian cann ot rely on measured drawings to the same extent possible for the better-documented areas of Islamic architecture or for Western historical architecture in general. The pioneering surveys of the Archaeological Survey of India from the end of the nineteenth and the ? rst half of the twentieth centuries included several Mughal sites, but only a few—such as the monographs of Edmund W. Smith on Fatehpur Sikri and on Akbar’s Tomb at Sikandra—were published. 7 More often than not, when one wants to have an exact plan of a building one has to go and measure it.On the other hand, while establishing this basic documentation, the art historian is confronted by all the questions the discipline has developed in the span of its existence, during which the approach has moved from formal assessment and analysis towards contextual studies. I began my survey of the palaces at Agra and, during the 1980s, spent months in the Red Fort, measuring and photographing its buildings. From here the Taj Mahal was always before my eyes at a distance across the river Yamuna, popularly called Jamna (? g. 2), and one of these views eventually became the cover image of my book Mughal Architecture (1991), in which he taj mahal: architecture, symbolism, and urban signi? cance 129 Fig. 1. Agra, Taj Mahal (1632–43), mausoleum and flanking buildings seen from the upper level of the gate. (Photo: Ebba Koch, 1996) I dealt with the Taj Mahal for the ? rst time, albeit only brie? y. 8 I felt overwhelmed by its perfection, splendor, and sheer size. Eventually I realized that as a scholar I was not alone in my awe of the famous building. The vast literature on the Taj Mahal comprises surprisingly few serious scholarly studies and, as I pointed out at the beginning, there is as yet no monograph or modern analytical treatise dedicated to its architecture. At the same time I came to realize that many answers to my questions about Shah Jahan’s palaces and gardens lay in the Taj Mahal as the ultimate project of his architectural patronage. The ? nal incentive to study it in detail came in 1994, when the editors of the second edition of the Encyclopaedia of Islam asked me to write the article on the building. 10 This started my project of newly documenting and analyzing the entire mausoleum complex; I am the ? rst Western scholar since India gained independence in 1947 to have received permission for such an undertaking, through the generosity of the Archaeological Sur- ey of India. With Richard Barraud I have been measuring and photographing the buildings of the complex in intermittent expeditions during the last ten years. 11 The survey has brought me into the remotest corners of the Taj Mahal, and this close encounter with the architecture has revealed the contribution of the anonymous workmen who inscribed their mason marks on the stones. 12 I began my analysis by looking at the entire complex of the Taj Mahal and at its urban situation. I could not help noticing that the Taj Mahal invites an approach that coincides with what since the 1970s might be termed a â€Å"deconstructive reading. According to Jaques Derrida, the main propagator of this method of disassembling and questioning established notions, all Western thought is based on the idea of centers—Origin, Truth, Ideal Form, Fixed Point, Immovable Mover, Essence, God, and Presence—that guarantee all meaning. The problem with these centers is that they attempt to exclude. In doing so they ignore, repress, or marginalize others. 13 Even those 130 ebba koch Fig. 2. Taj Mahal, mausoleum flanked by mosque (right) and Mihman Khana (left), seen across the river Jamna. (Photo: Ebba Koch, 1985) ho are tiring of deconstruction will see that the idea of center-and-margin illustrates the perception of the Taj too tellingly not to be included in this discussion. Traditionally, the white building of the mausoleum takes the position of the center in the conception of th e beholder, who hardly notices the large complex at the end of which it stands. Due to the prominence of the tomb, its surrounding architecture has received very little attention—in other words, it has been marginalized. It thus seems important ? rst to consider the entire complex, especially its subsidiary courtyards, which emerge as integral components of its design.In addition, I have extended the investigation of the surroundings of the Taj to its larger environment, to its relationship to the city of Agra. ANALYSIS OF THE COMPLEX The mausoleum is set at the northern end of the main axis of a vast oblong walled-in complex that mea- sures 896. 10 x 300. 84 m (? g. 3), which works out to 1112. 5 x 374 Shahjahani gaz. Of this complex, the tomb garden and its forecourt are fully preserved; we measured it as 561. 20 x 300. 84 (300) m, that is, 696 x 374 (373) gaz (? g. 4). 14 The Shahjahani linear yard, called gaz or zir? , corresponds to about 81–82 cm, or 32 inches; o ur ? eld studies have shown that it was not an exact unit but a relative, proportionally used one, the length of which could vary slightly, even within one and the same building complex. For the overall length of the Taj complex, the average gaz ? gure comes to 80. 55 cm. The tomb garden consists of two main components: a cross-axial, four-fold garden—in the form of a classical ch? rb? gh (? g. 3: B)—and, towards the river, a raised terrace on which are placed the mausoleum and its ? anking buildings (? g. 3: A).In this, the Taj Mahal garden follows the form of the typical garden of Mughal Agra, the waterfront garden. As I have shown elsewhere, this is a speci? c form of the ch? rb? gh developed by the Mughals in response to the the taj mahal: architecture, symbolism, and urban signi? cance geographic conditions of the Indo-Gangetic plain, and more speci? cally for the riverfront situation at Agra. Here the water source was not a lively spring on a mountain slope, as i n the Mughals’ native Central Asia, but a large, slow-? owing river, from which the desired running water had to be brought into the garden by means of water lifts.Accordingly, the Mughals conceived a garden type to take advantage of this waterfront situation; the main building was not placed in the center of the garden, as in the classical Mughal ch? rb? gh, but rather on an oblong terrace (kurs? ) running along the riverfront. The garden component was on the landward side of the terrace. This shift towards the riverfront provided the main garden pavilions with the climatic advantages of running water and presented a carefully composed front to viewers on a boat or across the river (? g. 2). From the garden itself, the buildings presented an equally satisfying backdrop (? . 1). 15 URBAN CONTEXT Mughal Agra consisted of two bands of such riverfront gardens lining the Jamna, of which only a few survive today. The key to my reconstruction of this riverfront scheme, which formed the urban context of the Taj, is a plan of Agra dating from the 1720s, in the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum in the City Palace in Jaipur; to my knowledge it is the earliest plan of the city (? g. 5). 16 It shows forty-four garden complexes (including the Agra Fort) along the river and gives their names, which are usually those of their owners, in Devanagari script. 7 Information about these gardens can also be pieced together from the Mughal histories and eulogistic descriptions of Agra, in which gardens of members of the imperial family and of nobles are occasionally mentioned, especially in the context of an imperial visit. Another source is topographical descriptions of Agra written in Persian by local informants for British administrators after the British took Agra in 1803. In his Tafr? h al-{im? r? t (1825–26), Sil Chand describes the gardens of Agra by the same names as feature on the Jaipur plan. 8 The main owners of the riverfront gardens of Agra were the emper ors Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb, members of their imperial family, and their nobility the amirs and man? abd? rs. Even Mumtaz Mahal had a garden at Agra, which she bequeathed to her daughter Jahanara; what is left of this Bagh-i Jahanara is now known by the corrupted name Zahara Bagh and lies south of the 131 Ram Bagh, originally Nur Jahan’s Bagh-i Nur Afshan (? g. 5: 3 and 4; ? g. 6). 19 The evidence indicates that most of these gardens followed the riverfront design, with the main building on a terrace overlooking the river and a ch? rb? gh on the landward side. 0 ANALYSIS OF THE COMPLEX RESUMED The design of the Taj garden thus introduces an established Mughal residential garden type into the context of a monumental imperial mausoleum. The waterfront scheme not only determines the shape of the funerary garden of the Taj, it is also a key element in the planning of the entire Taj complex. At the part of it to the south of the garden is a large rectangle (? g. 3: C) whose centr al square forms the Taj forecourt, called jilawkh? na by Shah Jahan’s chroniclers, the of? cially appointed court historian {Abd al-Hamid Lahawri and Muhammad Salih Kanbu, who wrote on his own account.Both provide us with almost identical detailed descriptions of the entire Taj Mahal complex, on the occasion of its of? cial completion on 17 Dhu ’l-Qa{da 1052 (February 6, 1643). 21 Both historians are remarkably consistent in their use of architectural terms; I follow their terminology. The jilawkh? na square (? g. 3: 11) is framed on both of its shorter sides by two smaller courtyard enclosures. An open bazaar street (? g. 3: 12a, 12b) divides these courtyards and provides the main access to the jilawkh? na and, beyond that, through a monumental gateway (? g. 3: 9), to the tomb garden.The northern pair of courtyards contained the residential quarters for the tomb attendants, the khaw p? ras (? g. 3: 10a, 10b). The southern pair contained subsidiary tomb gardens of less er wives of Shah Jahan, whose identity is still under debate (? g. 3: 13a, 13b). These tomb enclosures echoed the design of the main tomb garden on a smaller scale because they followed the characteristic waterfront scheme of a cross-axial ch? rb? gh combined with an oblong terrace on which stood the tomb structure and its ? anking buildings. (These buildings, with one exception, are no longer preserved. On the outside of the Taj complex are three buildings, two to the west (? g. 3: 20, 21) and one to the east; the latter represents another subsidiary tomb complex of this type (? g. 3: 13c). The waterfront scheme is thus transferred to a landlocked situation in these miniature replicas of the main garden. Not only that, but the waterfront garden is also used as the ordering scheme for the entire sub- 132 ebba koch Fig. 3. Site plan of the Taj Mahal with terms derived from the Persian descriptions by Lahawri and Kanbu of 1643: A. riverfront terrace (kurs? ), B. tomb garden (b? gh), C . omplex of the forecourt (jilawkh? na), D. complex with cross-shaped (ch? r s? ) bazaar and four caravanserais (sar? }? ), 1. mausoleum (raw ¬a), 2. mosque (masjid), 3. assembly hall (mihm? n kh? na), 4a–f. wall towers (burj), 5. pool (haw ¬), 6. first temporary burial site of Mumtaz Mahal, 7a, b. garden wall pavilions ({im? rat) popularly called Naubat Khana (Drum House), 8. double arcaded galleries to the south of the garden (? w? n dar ? w? n), 9. gate (darw? za), 10a, b. quarters for tomb attendants (khaw p? ra), 11. forecourt (jilawkh? na), 12a–f. bazaar streets (b? z? r), 13a–c. ubsidiary tombs (maqbara) all popularly called Saheli Burj (Tower of the Female Friend), 14. gates (darw? za): 14a. popularly called Fatehpuri Gate, 14b. popularly called Fatehabad Gate, 15. gate (darw? za) popularly called Sirhi Darwaza, 16. caravan> the taj mahal: architecture, symbolism, and urban signi? cance 133 Fig. 4. Plan of the preserved complex. (Drawing: Richard A. Barraud and Ebba Koch) serai (sar? }? ) known since the eighteenth century as: 16a Katra (Market) Omar Khan, 16b. Katra Fulel (Market of Perfumes), 16c. Katra Resham (Silk Market), 16d. Katra Jogidas, 17. entral square (chawk), 18a, b. west and east gates of the bazaar and caravanserai complex, 19. south gate of the bazaar and caravanserai complex popularly called Dakhnay Darwaza, 20. outer western tomb, 21. mosque popularly called Fatehpuri Masjid. (Drawing: Richard A. Barraud and Ebba Koch) 134 ebba koch Fig. 5. Plan of Agra, drawn with added numbering after a plan painted on cloth datable to the 1720s, 294 x 272 cm, in the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum, City Palace, Jaipur (cat. no. 126): 3. Ram Bagh (Bagh-i Nur Afshan), 4. Zahara Bagh (Bagh-i Jahanara), 9. Tomb of I{timad al-Dawla, 17.Mahtab Bagh, 20. Taj Mahal, 28. Agra Fort. (Drawing: Richard A. Barraud and Ebba Koch) sidiary complex of the Taj. In order to understand the complete design, we must turn to contemporary desc ription and look at eighteenth- and nineteenthcentury plans (compare ? gs. 3 and 7). 22 From these it becomes apparent that south of the jilawkh? na there was another courtyard complex with a cross-axial arrangement (? g. 3: D). It was formed by open, intersecting bazaar streets (? g. 3: 12c, 12d, 12e, 12f), which corresponded to the walkways of the garden, and four squarish sar? }? , that is, caravanserais or inns (? g. 3: 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d), taking the place of the four gar- den plots. We meet here with a unique and highly creative transfer of a ch? rb? gh design onto a complex of utilitarian civic architecture. Hence the con? guration of the rectangular unit containing the jilawkh? na and the cross-axial unit to its south echoed the waterfront scheme of the Taj garden. The entire complex of the Taj Mahal thus consisted formally of two units following the waterfront design—that of the Taj garden, a true waterfront garden, and that of the landlocked variant of the subsidiar y units.The tomb garden and the subsidiary complex were the taj mahal: architecture, symbolism, and urban signi? cance 135 Fig. 6. Plan of preserved and reconstructible building substance of the so-called Zahara Bagh, identified as Bagh-i Jahanara (late 1620s to 1630s), Agra. (Drawing: Richard A. Barraud and Ebba Koch) connected not only formally but also functionally. The utilitarian unit serviced the funerary unit of the tomb garden. By imperial command the upkeep of the tomb was ? nanced by the income generated from the bazaars and caravanserais, in addition to that of thirty villages from the district of Agra. 3 The service unit was the counterpart (qar? na)24 of the tomb complex, linked to it by design and function. The two zones, the funerary and the â€Å"wordly,† relate also to the dialectics of the Islamic concept of d? n waduny? }, the domains of the spiritual and the material life. 25 Furthermore, the addition to the mausoleum complex of quarters for merchants and foreign travelers ensured â€Å"that the whole world should see and admire its magni? cence,† in the words of the French jeweler and traveler Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, who was in Agra in 1640–41, and again in 1665. 6 Its reception through world travelers—jah? n-naward? n or rawandah? – 136 ebba koch yi {? lam, as the Mughals called them27—thus forms an integral part of the concept of the Taj Mahal. Of this two-part service unit, the southern cross-axial component is the great mystery of the Taj Mahal: we do not really know how much of it survives. Hardly anybody who walks through the southern gate of the jilawkh? na (? g. 3: 15) and enters the narrow street with the marble inlay workshops realizes that this area, known as the Taj Ganj, was originally part of the Taj complex.Here a densely built city quarter has grown up in which the architecture of Shah Jahan has been buried almost entirely; today one can make out only fragments of the wings of the original bazaars and caravanserais. The four gates of the central square or chawk are preserved (although two only in part) and protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (? g. 8). The Taj Ganj is, however, an integral part of the Taj Mahal, an indispensable component of its planning. It has been lost, but there is no doubt that it should be given back to the Taj by some means.I am planning to do this in the form of an architectural model that will reconstruct the entire complex of the Taj Mahal, the River Jamna, and the imperial garden called Mahtab Bagh on the opposite side of the river. The model will enable visitors to understand that the Taj is unique not only because of the grandness of the tomb building but also because of the carefully planned creative design, the scale, and the multifunctional complexity of the entire compound. It will also draw attention to the Taj Mahal as a constituent part of the urban scheme of Agra.I envisage placing the model in the new Visitors ’ Center at the Taj Mahal, in the eastern and western courtyards of the khaw p? ras (? g. 9), today called, respectively, Fatehabad Gate Court and Fatehpuri Gate Court. The Taj Mahal Visitors’ Center is part of a new initiative for â€Å"the conservation and restoration†¦of the Taj Mahal and surrounding areas and a new site visitor management,† realized since 2001 in a partnership between the Indian government, represented by the Archaeological Survey of India, and the private sector—the Indian Hotels Company Ltd. that is, the Tata Group of Hotels. The project is monitored by the Taj Mahal Conservation Collaborative, directed by the conservation architect Rahul Mehrotra and by Amita Baig, and advised by a body of global experts of which I am part. 28 Fig. 7. Plan of the entire Taj Mahal complex with designations of the main buildings in Persian, late eighteenth or early nineteenth century, Museum fur Indische Kunst, Berlin, MIK 10060. the taj mahal: architecture, symbolism, and urban signi? cance 137 Fig. 8. Taj Mahal, bazaar and caravanserai complex (fig. : D), gate of the central chawk (square) leading to the northeastern caravanserai today called Katra Fulel (fig. 3: 16b). The area is now built in and over by the city quarter Taj Ganj; in the background can be seen the gate of the Taj Mahal garden, behind it part of the mausoleum, and to the right the Mihman Khana. (Photo: Ebba Koch, 1999) THE TAJ AS BUILT ARCHITECTURAL THEORY The reconstruction of the original complex of the Taj establishes the determinant role of the waterfront garden in its planning.The complex of the Taj Mahal not only explores the potential of the waterfront garden as an ideal funerary and a utilitarian worldly form, it also expresses canonically the architectural principles of the period. We have no texts to turn to because the Mughals had no written architectural theory, and one wonders to what extent they were affected by the ancient Shastric traditi on of building theory. The Sanskrit texts translated in an extensive program under Akbar did not include the outstanding Indian genre of art and architectural theory, the shilpa sh? stras and v? st? sh? tras, respectively; theorizing about art was not a Mughal literary preoccupation. True, it was hardly a major theme elsewhere in the Islamic world, but one would have expected the Mughals to become interested in the ancient Indian textual tradition of art theory, all the more since, like the Muslim dynasties in India before them, they continued to absorb Indian artistic conventions into their art and architecture, and even newly revived them. However, the fact that no texts exist does not mean that architectural theory was absent from Mughal thinking, especially in the time of Shah Jahan.My investigations have shown that theory was laid down in the architecture itself. As in painting—and I have tried to establish this for the historical images illustrating Shah Jahan’s history, the P? dsh? hn? ma29—the ruler’s buildings and formal gardens express these concepts so systematically that we can derive them from their form itself. The Taj is 138 ebba koch Fig. 9. Taj Mahal, view from the roof level of the gate towards southeast onto the khaw p? ra (quarter of attendants) now called Fatehabad Gate Courtyard (fig. 3: 10b) and the subsidiary tomb to the east of the jilawkh? na (fig. 3: 13b). Photo: Ebba Koch, 1995) â€Å"built architectural theory,† which can be read almost like a literary text once we have mastered the grammar and vocabulary of the architectural language. The buildings speak to us â€Å"with mute eloquence† (bazab? n b? zab? n? ), as Lahawri puts it. 30 We note here the purest expression of a consistent formal systematization characteristic of the entire art of Shah Jahan; it represents a distinctive and outstanding contribution speci? c to this period. The principles of Shahjahani architecture, which interact closely with one another, can be identi? ed as follows: 1. Geometrical planning. . Symmetry. Favored in particular is bilateral symmetry, for which we even have a term in contemporary descriptions of buildings, namely, qar? na,31 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. an Arabic word that expresses the notion of pairing and counterparts but also of integration, thus ? tting conceptually into the ideas of universal harmony that played a great role in the imperial ideology of Shah Jahan. In a typical Shahjahani qar? na scheme, two symmetrical features, one mirroring the other, are arranged on both sides of a central, dominant feature. Hierarchy. This is the overriding principle, which governs all the others.Proportional formulas expressed in triadic divisions. Uniformity of shapes, ordered by hierarchical accents. Sensuous attention to detail. Selective use of naturalism. Symbolism. the taj mahal: architecture, symbolism, and urban signi? cance 139 Fig. 10. Agra Fort, courtyard now called Machchhi Bhawan, originally the â€Å"Ground Floor Courtyard of the Hall of Private Audiences† (Dawlat Khana-i Khass), south wing with marble baldachin for Shah Jahan’s throne, 1630s (Photo: Ebba Koch, 1980) A palace wing of the so-called Machchhi Bhawan (1630s) in the Agra fort illustrates these principles very clearly (? . 10). The wing consists of uniformly shaped arcades with a hierarchical accent in the center, in the form of the emperor’s marble baldachin. The central feature and the identical arcades on both sides express in a triadic division bilateral symmetry, or qar? na. The baldachin attains its hierarchical accentuation by the use of nobler material—namely, white marble—and with selective naturalism: it is formed of organic baluster columns, decorated with naturalistically sculpted acanthus leaves that also appear in stucco as decoration of the interior cupola.These elements are shaped with sensuous attention to detail and are in stark contrast to the plainer arcades of the wings. The organic plant forms of the baldachin symbolize the emperor, whose throne stood below it, as the generator of blossoming and wellbeing. 32 This is underlined by the pot with over? owing leaves out of which grows each of the four columns—a p? r? a ghata or p? r? a kalasha, in Indian architecture an ancient symbol of growth, fecundity, and prosperity (? g. 11). 33 This example is meant to suggest that the same principles govern the entire architecture of Shah Jahan— palaces, gardens, mosques, and mausoleums.They are, however, expressed most grandly and most consistently in the Taj Mahal, whose architecture epitomizes the Shahjahani system. THE PRINCIPLES OF SHAHJAHANI ARCHITECTURE AS EXPRESSED IN THE TAJ MAHAL First, a rational and strict geometry is ensured by the use of grid systems based on the Shahjahani gaz. Different modules are used for the garden and the subsidiary 140 ebba koch gate (darw? za) to the garden (? g. 3: 9), the fore court (jilawkh? na) (? g. 3: 11) and its southern gate (? g. 3: 15), the square (chawk) (? g. 3: 17), and the southern gate of the bazaar and caravanserai complex (? g. : 19). These elements are ? anked on both sides by pairs of identical buildings: the mosque (masjid) (? g. 3: 2) and the assembly hall (mihm? n kh? na) (? g. 3: 3), two garden wall pavilions (cim? rat), now called Naubat Khana (? g. 3: 7a, 7b), and, to accentuate the corners of the enclosure wall and the terrace step, three pairs of tower pavilions (burj) (? g. 3: 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f). The elements of the subsidiary unit (? g. 3: C, D) are arranged in the same mirror symmetry. Integrated into the overall qar? na symmetry are centrally planned elements, namely the four-part garden (b? gh) (? g. : B), the four-part bazaar-and-caravanserai complex (? g. 3: D), the miniature ch? rb? ghs of the subsidiary tombs (? g. 3: 13a, 13b); the individual buildings of the mausoleum (? g. 3: 1) and gate (? g. 3: 9) are raised ove r central plans (compare ? gs. 3 and 4). Each element plays an indispensable part in the composition; if just one part were missing, the balance of the entire composition would be destroyed. Bilateral symmetry dominated by a central accent has generally been recognized as an ordering principle of the architecture of rulers aiming at absolute power—a symbol of the ruling force that brings about balance and harmony.For Earl E. Rosenthal, this is expressed in the palace built into the Alhambra in Granada by Charles V in 1526 as a statement of the Christian Reconquista of Spain, â€Å"a striking symbol of the strati? cation of aristocratic society under centralized authority. †35 Third, triadic divisions bound together in proportional formulas determine the shape of plans, elevations, and architectural ornament of the Taj. A leitmotif is the tripartite composition consisting of a dominant feature in the center ? anked by two identical elements; the con? uration relates in turn to hierarchy as well as to qar? na symmetry (? gs. 1 and 12). Fourth is the hierarchical grading of material, forms, and color down to the minutest ornamental detail. Particular striking is hierarchical use of color: the only building in the whole complex faced entirely with white marble is the mausoleum. All the subsidiary structures of the Taj complex are faced with red sandstone; special features such as domes may be clad in white marble (? gs. 1, 2, 12). This hierarchic use of white marble and red sandstone is typical of impe- Fig. 11.Marble baluster column of the baldachin of Shah Jahan’s throne, topped with an acanthus capital and growing out of a pot with overflowing acanthus leaves, the Indian pur? a ghata. (Photo: Ebba Koch, 1979) complexes, and even individual buildings have their own grid. The unit of the garden and the riverfront terrace is based on a grid with a 23-gaz module, and the unit of the jilawkh? na and bazaar and caravanserai complex on a 17-gaz mo dule. In the planning of the mausoleum a 7-gaz module is used and in that of the gate a 3-gaz module. 34 Second, there is perfect symmetrical planning with emphasis on bilateral symmetry (qar? a) along a central axis on which are placed the main features. The main axis running north-south is represented by the garden canal and the bazaar street in its extension. On it are set the dominant features: the mausoleum (raw ¬a) (? g. 3: 1), the pool (haw ¬) (? g. 3: 5), the the taj mahal: architecture, symbolism, and urban signi? cance 141 Fig. 12. Taj Mahal, Mihman Khana (Photo: Ebba Koch, 1996) rial Mughal architecture, but here it is explored with unparalleled sophistication. It represents the clearest link to pre-Islamic Indian Shastric concepts and expresses social strati? cation.The Mughals elaborated here an architectural praxis that already had been adopted by the early sultans of Delhi and that conforms to older Indian concepts laid down in the Shastric literature. The Vishnud harmottara, an authoritative compilation composed in Kashmir in about the eighth century, recommended white-colored stone for Brahmin buildings and red for those of the Kshatriyas, the warrior caste:36 â€Å"White, it would seem, is opposed to red as the purity of the Brahmin is opposed to the ruling power of the Kshatriya. † The synthesis of the two colors had an auspicious connotation. 7 By using white and red in their buildings, the Mughals represented themselves in the terms of the two highest levels of the Indian social system: architecturally speaking, they were the new Brahmins and the new Kshatryas of the age. Until Aurangzeb, the Mughal emperors were concerned to de? ne themselves as rulers in Indian as well as Muslim terms; the historian {Abd al-Qadir Bada}uni (d. 1004/1595–96), who was an orthodox Muslim and wrote a history of Akbar on his own account, criticized the emperor for letting himself be addressed as an incarnation â€Å"like Rama, Krishna, and ot her in? del kings. 38 Fifth is the uniformity of shapes, ordered by hierarchical accents: for instance, only one type of columnar support—the Shahjahani column—is used in the entire complex. It has a multifaceted shaft, a muqarnas capital, and a base formed of multicusped-arched panels39 and is always combined with a multicusped arch. The proportions and details of the columns may vary according to their position in the complex. In the galleries on both sides of the gate (? g. 3: 8a, 8b) they form monumental arcades (? g. 13, and cf. ?g. 10); on the roof level of the mausoleum similar arcades on a smaller scale are set in the back sides of the p? ht? qs (portals), and Shahjahani half-columns 142 ebba koch Fig. 13. Taj Mahal, galleries south of garden on both sides of the gate (fig. 3: 18), Shahjahani column with faceted shaft, muqarnas capital, and base formed of four multicusped panels, each enriched with a flowering plant in relief. (Photo: Ebba Koch, 1995) Fig. 14. Taj Mahal, roof level, pillar with paired Shahjahani half-columns of roof chhatr? (kiosk), behind the back side of the p? sht? q (porch) with gallery formed of Shahjahani columns and multicusped arches. (Photo: Ebba Koch, 1996) ?ank the pillars of the four marble chhatr? (kiosks) surrounding the main dome (? g. 14). This uniformity is true of the entire architectural vocabulary and its decoration; it applies to the paneling of the walls with shallow multicusped niches and cartouches, and to the treatment of vaults. One type of decorative facing is used for the main vaults and the half vaults of the mausoleum and gate (? gs. 15, 16)—a network developed from points arranged in concentric circles, which Shah Jahan’s authors described as q? lib k? r? , or mold work, because in the original plaster form of the vault the pattern was applied by means of molds (? g. 15).The design was transferred into marble in the central dome and half vaults of the p? sht? qs of the mausoleu m (? g. 16). Sixth, the principle of sensuous attention to detail is expressed most exemplarily in the ? owers of the mausoleum dado and in the exquisite pietra dura (literally, â€Å"hard stone†: gemstone inlay) decoration of the cenotaphs of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan and the screen that surrounds them (? gs. 17, 18, 20, 21). Seventh, in the Taj the selective use of naturalism emphasizes hierarchy. The most naturalistic decor appears in the chief building of the entire complex, the mausoleum (? s. 17, 18, 20, 21). Eighth, the sophisticated symbolism in the architec- the taj mahal: architecture, symbolism, and urban signi? cance 143 Fig. 15. Taj Mahal, garden gate, half vault of the southern p? sht? q showing plaster facing with q? lib k? r? , that is, a network forming kite-shaped compartments developed from stars arranged in concentric tiers. (Photo: Ebba Koch, 1996) Fig. 16. Taj Mahal, mausoleum, central dome with q? lib k? r? in marble relief. (Photo: Ebba Koch, 1996) 1 44 ebba koch brought to its ultimate monumentalized design; thus it was raised to a level above the sphere of mortals.The concept of the eschatological house also governs the elaborate program of the inscriptions, designed by Amanat Khan Shirazi. Z. A. Desai and Wayne Begley have shown that passages of the Qur}an selected for the inscriptions focus on themes of the Last Judgment, divine mercy, the reward of the faithful, and Paradise (? g. 19). 42 Such themes are entirely ? tting for the mausoleum in their evocation of the abode prepared for Mumtaz in Paradise. Begley, however, uses the evidence for another, less close-at-hand reading and sees in the Taj Mahal an architectural realization of an Islamic cosmological scheme—namely, the oncept of the Throne of God on the Day of Judgment, as envisaged and recorded in a diagram by the thirteenth-century Spanish mystic Ibn al-{Arabi in his Fut t al-Makkiyya (1238). 43 Why then, as Maria Eva Subtelny has pointed out, 44 is the famou s Throne verse (Qur}an 2:255) extolling God’s majesty45 absent from the inscriptional program of the Taj Mahal? Begley’s interpretation ignores not only that, but also the use of an established Agra garden plan for the layout of tural program expresses, as I have suggested, the concept of the mausoleum as earthly realization of the mansion of Mumtaz in the garden of Paradise.This is clearly formulated by Lahawri in the of? cial history of the emperor’s reign: †¦the exalted mausoleum, which imitates the gardens of Rizwan [the guardian of Paradise], and which gives an impression of Paradise (literally, the holy enclosures) (raw ¬a-i mu}all? ki az riy?  ¬-i Ri ¬w? n hik? yat kard wa az ha }ir[rat al-] quds nish? n dahad). 40 Mughal eulogistical references have a complexity of their own; while they may represent a purely literary convention, they can also have a direct bearing on the work of architecture or art that they praise.In order to arrive at their meaning, the metaphors used in such eulogies thus have to be carefully evaluated against the evidence brought forth by formal analysis. 41 In the Taj Mahal, every aspect of the architecture supports the concept of the paradisiacal mansion. It is expressed in the overall planning of the entire complex. The waterfront garden, a typical residential garden form of Agra, was realized in ideal forms and Fig. 17. Taj Mahal, p? sht? q of mausoleum, marble dados with rows of naturalistic flowers representing heavenly flowerbeds. (Photo: Ebba Koch, 1978) he taj mahal: architecture, symbolism, and urban signi? cance 145 Fig. 18. Taj Mahal, p? sht? q of the mausoleum, dado flowers of mixed botanical species, detail. (Photo: Ebba Koch, 1978) the mausoleum. 46 He also disregards another highly relevant aspect, that is, the ? oral decoration that forms an integral part of the building. In a direct appeal to our senses, the concept of the paradisiacal garden house is expressed in the delicate ? ow ers that appear on the dados, at the eye level of the beholder. They are carved in sensuous detail and represent naturalistic but not necessarily identi? ble botanical species47 that transform the lower walls of the mausoleum into ever-blooming paradisiacal ? owerbeds (? gs. 17, 18). The naturalistic decoration culminates in the interior, in the central ensemble of the cenotaphs of Mumtaz and Shah Jahan and the screen that surrounds them. These are covered with spectacular ? owers and plants inlaid with semi-precious stones, in commesso (composition) di pietre dure; the Mughals called the technique parch? n k? r? (literally: â€Å"driven-in work†) (? g. 20). The poet Abu Talib Kalim tells us that the painterly effects that could be obtained with parch? k? r? made it possible to create the desired naturalistic ? owers, permanent and thus superior images of their counterparts in nature: On each stone a hundred colors, paintings, and ornaments Have become apparent through the ch isel’s blade. Fig. 19. Taj Mahal, interior of the central hall, south arch. End of the inscription of Qur}an 39:53–54, with the colophon of the calligrapher, reading â€Å"Finished with His [God’s] help; written by the humble faqir Amanat Khan al-Shirazi, in the year one thousand and forty-eight Hijri [1638–39], and the twelfth of His Majesty’s auspicious accession. (Photo: Ebba Koch, 2001) 146 ebba koch Fig. 20. Cenotaphs of Mumtaz Mahal (1632) and Shah Jahan (1666) in the main tomb hall. (Photo: Ebba Koch, 1981) Fig. 21. Cenotaph of Shah Jahan in the lower tomb chamber (â€Å"crypt†). Detail of poppies and yellow flowers set in cartouches, inlaid with semi-precious stones in pietra dura/parch? n k? r? technique. (Photo: Ebba Koch, 2002) the taj mahal: architecture, symbolism, and urban signi? cance The chisel has become the pen of Mani48 Painting so many pictures upon the translucent marble (? b-i marmar). †¦.Pictures become manifest from every stone; In its mirror behold the image of a flower garden. They have inlaid flowers of stone in the marble: What they lack in smell they make up with color. Those red and yellow flowers that dispel the heart’s grief, are completely out of carnelian and amber. †¦. When of such stones the surface of a tomb is made, The deceased will [want to] clasp the flower pictures to her heart. 49 147 and to provide a lasting memorial to his fame. Strict formal principles served to express within each work of art and each building the hierarchy and timeless order of Shahjahani rule.With their successful appeal to our senses, the seductive aesthetics make the message the more persuasive. It is the fusion of the intellectual and the sensuous that has made the Taj Mahal such a successful monument up to the present day. Lastly, the close connection between form and meaning in Shahjahani art makes it a methodological exemplar of general art-historical relevance; it reminds us tha t formal analysis should not be in opposition to a contextual approach but rather a starting point for art as history.Institute fur Kunstgeschichte University of Vienna NOTES Author’s note: A visiting fellowship from the Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture at Harvard University in autumn 2002 enabled me to work on the manuscript of Taj Mahal, and to present my ? ndings in a lecture in the Aga Khan Program Lecture Series on Nov. 14, 2003, which forms the basis of this article. I thank Gulru Necipoqlu, David Roxburgh, Jeffery Spurr, Andras Riedlmayer, and Sunil Sharma for their interest in my research and their help during my stay in Cambridge.For supporting my project of the documentation and analysis of the Taj Mahal, I wish to thank the Jubilaumsfonds der Osterreichischen Nationalbank, the Bundesministerium fur Unterricht und Kulturelle Angelegenheiten, Austria, and Mr. E. Alkazi. 1. W. E. Begley, â€Å"The Myth of the Taj Mahal and a New Theory of its Symbolic Meanin g,† The Art Bulletin 61 (1979): 7– 37. Begley’s interpretation of the building as a replica of the Throne of God became widely known, probably because of its eccentricity and also because there was no proposed alternative; it even made its way into the popular travel guide literature: see Lonely Planet: India, 8th ed. Hawthorne: Victoria, Australia, 1999), 392. 2. The Complete Taj Mahal and the Riverfront Gardens of Agra (London: Thames and Hudson, forthcoming 2006). 3. Mu? ammad Am? n Qazw? n? , P? dsh? hn? ma, British Library Asia, Paci? c, and Africa Collections (henceforth BL APAC), Or. 173, fol. 234b (librarian’s refoliation 235b), my translation; cf. the translation of this passage in W. E. Begley and Z. A. Desai, Taj Mahal: The Illumined Tomb: An Anthology of Seventeenth-Century Mughal and European Documentary Sources (Cambridge, MA: Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture and Seattle: University of Washington Press, ca. 989), 42. 4. {Abd al-Yam? d L? hawr? , The B? dsh? hn? mah (Persian text), ed. M. Kab? r al-D? n A? mad and M. {Abd al-Ra m (Calcutta: Asiatic Society of Bengal, 1865–72) vol. 1, pt. 1, 403, my trans. ; cf. the trans. of this passage in Begley and Desai, Taj Mahal: The Illumined Tomb, 43. 5. I thank Dr. S. M. Yunus Jaffery for his continuing assistance in reading and translating Mughal source material. On both cenotaphs of Shah Jahan, which were placed next to those of Mumtaz after his death in 1666, the decoration with paradisiacal ? owers was given preference even over inscriptions.Inscriptions had decorated the sarcophagus-like element of both cenotaphs of Mumtaz, the one in the lower and the other in the upper tomb chamber, and full ? owering plants appear only on the platform of her upper cenotaph. But both of Shah Jahan’s cenotaphs are covered all over with ? owers (? gs. 20, 21); the only epigraphy appears in the form of a brief historical epitaph at the south end of each cenotaph. The w eight given to ? oral decoration is in tune, on the one hand, with the overall concept of the mausoleum as paradisiacal garden house, but the exclusively ? oral decoration of the emperor’s cenotaphs makes a more speci? statement, relating, even after his death, to the use of ? ora in his court settings to express imperial propaganda. The court poets and writers tell us that Shah Jahan was â€Å"the spring of the ? ower garden of justice and generosity,†50 the renewer (mujaddid) under whose rule â€Å"Hindustan has become the rose garden of the earth, and his reign†¦has become the spring season of the age in which the days and nights are young. †51 CONCLUSION From our investigations, the reign of Shah Jahan emerges as a time when the visual arts were most consistently and systematically explored as a means of promulgating imperial ideology.The written texts and the arts were seen as equally necessary means to represent the ruler and his state for a wider pub lic 148 6. ebba koch My ? eld research provides the material for a constantly expanding archive, which today comprises several hundred architectural drawings prepared mainly by Richard A. Barraud and ca. 50,000 photographs taken by myself. E. W. Smith, The Moghul Architecture of Fathpur-Sikri, Archaeological Survey of India: New Imperial Series (henceforth ASINIS) 18, 4 vols. (1894–98, repr.Delhi: Caxton Publications, 1985); idem, Akbar’s Tomb, Sikandarah near Agra, Described and Illustrated, ASINIS 35 (Allahabad: Superintendent Government Press, United Provinces, 1909). In the second Indian edition (New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2002), 98–101. The most useful studies are Muhammad Abdulla Chaghtai, Le Tadj Mahal d’Agra (Brussels, 1938); R. A. Jairazbhoy, â€Å"The Taj Mahal in the Context of East and West: A Study in Comparative Method,† Journal of the Warburg and Courtauld Institutes 24 (1961): 59–88; Dieter Brandenburg, Der Taj Mahal in Agra (Berlin, 1969); R.Nath, The Immortal Taj Mahal (Bombay, 1972); and Lisa Golombek, â€Å"From Tamerlane to the Taj Mahal,† in Islamic Art and Architecture: In Honor of Katharina Otto-Dorn, ed. A. Daneshvari, Islamic Art and Architecture, 1 (Malibu, 1981), 43–50. Muhammad Moin-ud-din, The History of the Taj (Agra, 1905), recorded for the ? rst time the inscriptions of the Taj; his pioneering effort was superseded by Begley and Desai, Taj Mahal: The Illumined Tomb. For excellent photographs by Jean Nou, see Amina Okada and M. C.Joshi, Taj Mahal (New York, London, and Paris: Abbeville Press, 1993): unfortunately the illustrations are only partly identi? ed. For further literature on the Taj Mahal, see Ebba Koch, â€Å"T? dj Ma? all,† Encyclopaedia of Islam, 2nd ed. (henceforth EI2) (Leiden: Brill, 1960–2004), vol. 10, 58–60, and idem, Complete Taj Mahal. Koch, â€Å"T? dj Ma? all,† ? g. 4 presents my new overall plan of the complex for the ? rst time. A brief assessment based on this survey is idem, â€Å"The Taj Mahal,† in The Seventy Architectural Wonders of Our World, ed. Neil Parkyn (London: Thames and Hudson, 2002), 57–61.We measured the buildings with metal and plastic tapes and with a laser measuring instrument called Disto Basic, made by Leica. Based on our survey, Richard Barraud did the scale drawings by hand; I took the photographs with a Nikon FS Photomic. All plans and photographs illustrating this article are part of this survey. A selection is published in Koch, â€Å"Taj Mahal,† 60. Jaques Derrida, â€Å"Structure, Sign, and Play,† Writing and Difference, trans. A. Bass (Chicago, 1978). The width of the complex at the southern, jilawkh? na, end measures 300. 84 m; at the riverfront it is 300 m. This is explained by Richard A.Barraud in his pioneering study â€Å"The Modular Planning of the Taj Mahal,† based on our measurements and illustrated with three drawings, in Koch, Complete Taj Mahal. Barraud refutes Begley’s assumption that the planning of the Taj can be reconstructed by putting a decimal grid over the whole complex and explaining away the features that do not ? t into it. See Begley and Desai, Taj Mahal: The Illumined Tomb, ? gs. 13–15, and W. E. Begley, â€Å"The Garden of the Taj Mahal: A Case Study of Mughal Architectural Planning and Symbolism,† in Mughal Gardens: Sources, Places, Representations, and Prospects, ed. J. L. Wescoat, Jr. and J.WolschkeBulmahn (Washington, DC, 1996). In earlier publications I have given differing measurements of the complex. In Koch, â€Å"T? dj Ma? all,† 58, a misprint occurred in the rendering of the gaz equivalents of the preserved part, which are indicated as 690 x 313 gaz instead of 696 x 374 gaz. In my essay in Seventy Architectural Wonders, 61, the overall length of the complex is given as 897. 3 x 300 m, because we took it from the outer face of the southernmost g ate, which projects 1. 20 m from the enclosure wall. From this comes the overall length of 1114 gaz cited in Koch, â€Å"T? dj Ma? all,† 58, which differs from the one given here as 1112. gaz. Ebba Koch, â€Å"The Mughal Waterfront Garden,† in Gardens in the Time of the Great Muslim Empires: Theory and Design, Supplements to Muqarnas, 7, ed. Attilio Petruccioli (Leiden, New York, and Cologne: Brill, 1997), 140–60, repr. in Ebba Koch, Mughal Art and Imperial Ideology (New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2001), 183–202. Cat. no. 126. The plan is painted on cloth and measures 294 x 272 cm. I have studied it since the mid-1980s and discussed it in several publications: see Ebba Koch, â€Å"The Zahara Bagh (Bagh-i Jahanara) at Agra,† Environmental Design 2 (1986): 30– 37; idem, â€Å"The Mughal Waterfront Garden† in M.C. Beach, Ebba Koch, and Wheeler Thackston, King of the World: The Padshahnama: An Imperial Mughal Manuscript from the Roya l Library, Windsor Castle (London: Azimuth Editions and Washington, DC: Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, 1997), cat. no. 29, 185–87 and cat. no. 45, 209–10, ? g. 132. I thank Dr. B. M. Jawalia, Keeper of Manuscripts, for assisting me in reading the inscriptions of the plan in July 1985 and Feb. 1986, and Dr. A? ok Kumar Das, then Director of the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum, Jaipur, for the permission to study and to publish it. As no. 45 on the line drawing of ? g. I have added a further complex, which represents the Chhatri of Jaswant Singh (d. probably 1678), a well-preserved funerary complex that does not appear on the Jaipur map. L? lah S? l Chand, Tafr? h al-{im? r? t, compiled for James Stephen Lushington, Acting Collector and Magistrate of Agra, 1825–26, BL APAC, Pers. Or. 6371. I have used the copy prepared in 1836–37 for James Davidson, Sessions Judge, Agra, BL APAC, Pers. ms. 2450. Koch, â€Å"Zahara Bagh (Bagh-i Jahan ara). † For a full discussion of the Agra riverfront scheme, see Koch, Taj Mahal, chap. 1. L? hawr? , B? dsh? hn? ma, vol. 2, 322–31; and Mu? ammad O? li?Kanb? , {Amal-i O? li? , 3 vols. (Lahore, 1967–72) vol. 2, 315– 20; both trans. Begley and Desai in Taj Mahal: The Illumined Tomb, 65–82. On Mughal historiography, see the new study by Stephan Conermann, Historiographie als Sinnstiftung: Indopersische Geschichtsschreibung wahrend der Mogulzeit (932–1118/ 1516–1707) (Wiesbaden: Reichert Verlag, 2002), 422 (on L? hawr? ) and 125, 395–96, and passim (on Kanb? ). In his painstaking assessment, Conermann regrettably does not consider art and architecture as sources of history, as I have pleaded for in the introduction to Mughal Art and Imperial Ideology, xxiii–xxvii.The ? rst dated plan of the entire complex is by the British landscape artists Thomas and William Daniell, who had it prepared in Agra in 1789 and published in th eir Two Views of the Taje Mahel at the City of Agra in Hindostan Taken in 1789 (London, 1801). A similar plan, but painted on cloth, is in the 7. 8. 9. 15. 16. 17. 10. 18. 11. 19. 20. 21. 12 . 13. 14. 22. the taj mahal: architecture, symbolism, and urban signi? cance Museum of the Taj Mahal (acc. no. 22), in the pavilion set in the western wall of the garden; another plan of this type, 280 x 85 cm, is in the Museum fur Indische Kunst, Berlin, no. I 10 060.It has been published in Pratapaditya Pal, Janice Leoshko, Joseph M. Dye III, and Stephen Markel, Romance of the Taj Mahal, exhibition catalogue (London: Thames and Hudson and Los Angeles: Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 1989), 55, ? g. 41. The plans differ in the areas of the jil? wkhana and the caravansarais. L? hawr? , B? dsh? hn? ma, vol. 2, 329–30; Kanb? , {Amal-i O? li? , vol. 2, 319–20. See also Begley and Desai, Taj Mahal: The Illumined Tomb, 75, 81. For the term, see below. For d? n wa-duny? , see L. Gardet , â€Å"D? n,† EI2, vol. 2, 293–96, in particular 295. Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, Travels in India, 2 vols. English trans. V. Ball, 2nd ed. ed. William Crooke (London: Oxford University Press, 1925; repr. New Delhi: Oriental Books Reprint Corporation, 1977), vol. 1, p. 90. See, e. g. , L? hawr? , B? dsh? hn? ma, vol. 1, pt. 1, 155. The aims of the venture have been laid down in Taj Mahal Agra Site Management Plan, brought out by the Taj Mahal Conservation Collaborative together with the Archaeological Survey of India (March 2003); for my mission statement, delivered on Sept. 28, 2001, at the end of the ? rst advisors’ meeting on the conservation of the Taj Mahal (Sept. 25–28, 2001), see 5–6; for the model, see 66–67 and 70, ? g. 12.Ebba Koch, â€Å"The Principles of Shah-Jahani Painting,† in Beach, Koch, and Thackston, King of the World, 131–43; repr. in Ebba Koch, Mughal Art and Imperial Ideology, 130–62. L? hawr? , B? ds h? hn? ma, vol. 1, pt. 1, 149. See, e. g. , L? hawr? , B? dsh? hn? ma, vol. 2, 327 with regard to the Taj Mahal, namely, the placement of the Mihman Khana and mosque to both sides of the mausoleum. This concept of rulership is explained in more detail below. On the adoption of the p? r? a ghata in Mughal architecture, see R. Nath, History of Decorative Art in Mughal Architecture (Delhi, Varanasi, and Patna: Motilal Banarsidass, 1976), 6– 10.Barraud, â€Å"Modular Planning of the Taj Mahal,† in Koch, Complete Taj Mahal. E. E. Rosenthal, The Palace of Charles V in Granada (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1985), 249–50. See Priyabala Shah, trans. , Shri Vishnudharmottara, a Text of Ancient Indian Arts (Ahmedabad: The New Order Book Co. , n. d. [1990]), 268, 271. Brenda E. F. Beck, â€Å"Colour and Heat in South Indian Ritual,† Man: The Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute, n. s. , 4: 553–72; the quoted passage is on 559. Beck investig ates the use of the two colors, red and white, in South Indian ritual; her ? ndings tally with the recommendations of the Vishnudharmotara. Abd al-Q? dir Bad? }? n? , Muntakhab al-Taw? r? kh, English trans. (vol. 2) W. H. Lowe, 2nd ed. (Bengal: Asiatic Society, 1924; repr. Delhi: Idarah-i-Adabiyat-i-Delli, 1973), 336. For Akbar representing himself on Indian terms, see Ebba Koch, â€Å"The 149 39. 40. 41. 23. 24. 25. 26. 42. 27. 28. 43. 44. 45. 46. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 47. 34. 35. 36. 48. 49. 37. 50. 38. 51. Intellectual and Artistic Climate at Akbar’s Court,† in John Seyller, The Adventures of Hamza: A Monument of Early Mughal Painting (London: Azimuth Editions and Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution, 2002), 18–31.Koch, Mughal Architecture, 93. L? hawr? , B? dsh? hn? ma, vol. 2, 323; trans. E. Koch; cf. trans. of Begley and Desai in Taj Mahal: The Illumined Tomb, 66. E. Koch, introduction to Mughal Art and Imperial Ideology, xxiii–xxiv; see also idem, â€Å"Diwan-i {Amm and Chihil Sutun: The Audience Halls of Shah Jahan,† Muqarnas 11 (1994): 143–65, in particular 149–52, repr. in Mughal Art and Imperial Ideology, 229–54, in particular 242–43. For a compilation and translation of the inscriptions, see Begley and Desai, Taj Mahal: The Illumined Tomb, 195–244; for a discussion of their meaning, see W. E.Begley, â€Å"Amanat Khan and the Calligraphy on the Taj Mahal,† Kunst des Orients 12 (1978–79): 5–39; W. E. Begley, â€Å"The Myth of the Taj Mahal and a New Theory of Its Symbolic Meaning,† The Art Bulletin 61 (1979): 7–37. Begley, â€Å"Myth of the Taj Mahal,† in particular 25–27. Personal communication, Toronto, Dec. 5, 2002. For the frequent use of the Throne Verse in epigraphical programs, see E. D. Cruikshank Dodd, â€Å"The Image of the Word: Notes on the Religious Iconography of Islam,† Berytus 18 (1969): 35–61, 59; S. S . Blair, Islamic Inscriptions (New York: New York University Press, 1998), 69, 198, 214.I pointed this out in Mughal Architecture, 99; and in â€Å"The Mughal Waterfront Garden,† 143–44, repr. in Mughal Art and Imperial Ideology, 196; but I could not convince Laura Parodi, â€Å"‘The Distilled Essence of the Timurid Spirit’: Some Observations on the Taj Mahal,† East and West 50, 1–4 (Dec. 2000): 535–42, in particular 539, where she considered my interpretation of the â€Å"ideal paradisiacal garden for the deceased† as â€Å"reductive† and preferred Begley’s Throne of God hypothesis. I have come back to the issue in the introduction to Mughal Art and Imperial Ideology, xxiv.Both Begley and Parodi overlook the fact that, however spectacular their realization, the themes of Shahjahani art were conventional, as be? tting a ruler aspiring to classical equilibrium. Robert Skelton ? rst drew attention to the ambivalence of these ? oral creations in â€Å"A Decorative Motif in Mughal Art,† in Aspects of Indian Art: Papers Presented in a Symposium at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Oct. 1970, ed. Pratapaditya Pal (Leiden: E. J. Brill, 1972), 147–52. The founder of the Manicheans, and in Persian lore the ultimate painter. Ab? lib Kal? , P? dsh? hn? ma, Persian ms. , BL APAC, Ethe 1570, fol. 164a margin; my translation differs somewhat from that of Begley and Desai, Taj Mahal: The Illumined Tomb, 83. I thank Sunil Sharma for his advice. Bah? r-i gulist? n-i {adl u karam: Y? jj? Mu? ammad J? n Quds? , Zafarn? ma-i Sh? h Jah? n, BL APAC, Persian ms. Ethe 1552, fol. 129a. Kanb? , {Amal-i O? li? , vol. 3, 24; see also Ebba Koch, â€Å"Mughal Palace Gardens from Babur to Shah Jahan (1526–1648),† Muqarnas 14 (1997): 143–65, quotes on 159; repr. in Mughal Art and Imperial Ideology, 203–28, quotes on 227.

Concerted Cultivation VS. Natural Growth

Concerted cultivation and natural growth are two different types of educating a child by his or her parent’s. Each type of educational technique created a â€Å"class† individual. Natural growth created a â€Å"working class† individual, while concerted cultivation created a â€Å"middle class† individual. Concerted cultivation is a middle class child educational technique parent’s use on a child to improve their children’s talents. Middle class parents do this through scheduled activities. Concerted cultivated parents also practice the language of reasoning with their child.The parents believe that their children have the right to find an agreement with each parent. Middle class parents also take more consideration with authorities that are connected with their children. Children from concerted cultivation households spend much time in after school classes or programmers such as taking dance lessons or being on a football team. Parents in th ese families are very involved in their children’s free time, transporting them from activity to activity, which, often, some moms are called â€Å"soccer moms† for the children who play soccer.Concerted cultivation parents also emphasize negotiation, encouraging their children to question authority figures, including themselves. As a result, children from concerted cultivation homes tend to be less intimidated by authority, such as teachers, and attain a sense of â€Å"power†, believing they are â€Å"worthy of adult interest† and can â€Å"customize† their environment. Natural growth is used by the working class or poor class. These parents focus on their children’s safety and discipline.These children usually do not have scheduled activities, but have a wide range of activities to choose from for the entire days-worth. Siblings of the children approached with the natural growth technique have a stronger bond because they are often togethe r and not separated by schedules, which exist in the middle class family and fall under the concerted cultivation. Unlike children who go through concerted cultivation, natural growth children cannot practice their use of reasoning.Parents usually have the upper hand in arguments and allow no questioning from the children; not to mention that punishment is taken into the hands of the parents, tending to be more severe, beatings are optional. The working and poor class families also view teachers and other authorities as high positions, and do not feel the need to confront them with issues. With concerted cultivation, Lareau gives the example of middle-class ‘Alex’, who is taken to the doctor’s by his mother. In the car, she tells her son that he should not be shy and ask the doctor anything he wants.Alex interacts in a relaxed way with the doctor, asking him questions and even interrupting him when he gets his age wrong and uses a word Alex does not know. The Doc tor notes that he is in the 95th percentile in height, Alex interrupts him. â€Å"Alex: I’m in what? Doctor: It means that you’re taller than more than ninety-five out of a hundred young men when they’re, uh, ten years old. Alex: I’m not ten Doctor: well they graphed you at ten. You’re- nine years and ten months. They-they usually take the closest year to get that graph†.The act of interrupting a person of authority is a display of entitlement. It is also indicative of middle-class child- rearing priorities; the incivility of interrupting a speaker is overlooked in favor of encouraging children’s sense of their individual importance and of affirming their right to air their own thoughts and ideas to adults. (lareau, 2011, p. 124-125) Children from poorer class, natural growth, homes usually spend most of their time playing outside with siblings and other children from their area.Parents spend little time at home because they are worki ng, waiting for public transportation or waiting in line at social service agencies. They do not â€Å"schedule† their children’s time or care much about cultivating, or promoting, their children’s talents and interests. Parenting is usually strict and children are following commands without negotiation. Around authority figures, such as teachers, working-class children and their parents tend to be quiet and inactive, looking at the ground and not asking questions.

Breast Cancer, Ovarian Cancer And Colon Cancer

Breast Cancer My paternal grandmother has batteld cancer three times. She was diagnosed with breast cancer first and then six years later with ovarian cancer. Both times, she had to have radiation to cure her from the cancer. After four years of being in remission, the cancer came back. This time it was on a viscous rampage. My grandmother had to receive a month of intense chemotherapy and two critical surgeries to remove the tumors that were invading her body. Seeing her go through all of this†¦ Cancer is one of the most deadly disease next to heart disease. Without the proper equipment, many breast cancer could go undiagnosed and overlooked. Nancy McIlhenney was diagnosed with breast cancer ( Invasive lobular carcinoma) back in November 2015, when she noticed a large lump within her breast. When she went to the doctors, they said that the lump she was feeling was fatty tissue but the cancer itself was hidden behind it. Granted that it might be caused by environmental due to radiation†¦ Cancer is a disease that is caused by abnormal cells in a part of someone’s body. Anyone can be diagnosed with cancer, it is not something that only affects certain people. Sometimes the cancer can be hereditary meaning that a family member has had the same type of cancer in the past. However, one of the most common cancers for women is breast cancer. Breast cancer is a cancer that is well known since there is a month that is dedicated to bring awareness to breast cancer but not many people realize†¦ Breast cancer is one of the leading cancers that affect a myriad of people in today’s society. â€Å"About 1 in 8 U.S. women (about 12%) will develop breast cancer over the course of her lifetime.† (Breast Cancer, 2016). Some people diagnosed with this type of cancer could have the opportunity to detect it early on due to screenings or self-evaluations. However despite early detection, it does not guarantee that the cancer can be treated in its entirety. Different stage levels decide the degree in which†¦ losing my father to cancer. Cancer is a disease in which abnormal cells divide uncontrollably and destroys body tissue along the way. There are multiple types of treatments depending on the type of cancer. People who become weak, loss of hunger, depressed and many more. Most common types of cancers include Breast cancer, Lung cancer, and melanoma(Hill, Peter). Breast cancer is a cancer that forms in the cells of the breast. Most women growing up are told to examine their breast when in the shower†¦ Cancer refers to several diseases that the involve uncontrolled growth of mutated cells in the body. Normally, cells grow and divide based on signals and the body’s needs, and new cells replace old or damaged cells. However, cancer is able to develop when cell signaling is interrupted. The old cells stop dying and instead form new abnormal cells, possibly resulting in a tumor. Cancerous cells are malignant, which means they can invade nearby tissue, and can potentially metastasize and spread to various†¦ Introduction Breast cancer is the abnormal growing of cells within the breast tissues. It has been identified to be number two killer of all cancer demises among women. The first common sign that can lead to cancer diagnosis is the presence of a breast lump. Breast cancer is more common in women than men are, but they also need to realize that they can also be diagnosed with breast cancer. Fibro adenoma has been identified as the most prevalent form of benign breast tumor, while Invasive Ductal†¦ mother had found in her breast. â€Å"I told her, ‘Maybe it is that Froot Loop I gave you earlier,’† Sands remembered. â€Å"She laughed and said, ‘I hope so!’† That day was the beginning of Sands’ journey with cancer. Five years later, her mother died of breast cancer at the age of 43, when Sands was 9 years old. A few years after that, Sands’ aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer. She went into remission but later died of ovarian cancer. Then a cousin was diagnosed with breast cancer at 34. Two years ago,†¦ of different cancers that people tend to hear of. Cancer is abnormal cells that grow out of control and invade a healthy person’s body. When these cells do not grow normally things can go wrong. When cancer occurs it is because the cells divide more than they should and begin to form masses also known as tumors. According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, the most common type of cancer is breast cancer and is the second leading cause of cancer death in woman. Breast cancer is when the malignant†¦ Colon Cancer Colon cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, is a form of cancer that affects the large intestine and rectum. The cancer cells do not die when signaled to do so. Instead, they grow unmonitored. The cancer will grow into more tissue and organs and develop more new cancer cells. In Stage I colon cancer only affects either the colon or the rectum. The cancer cells are found in the epithelial and lamina propria layers, the top layers of the large intestine and rectum. In Stage II, the†¦

Packaging and Pricing Strategy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Packaging and Pricing Strategy - Essay Example One firm that has successfully integrated into the Lowes paradigm is Green Fiber. I.-Introduction Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse is an American-based chain of retail home improvement and appliance stores. The Mooresville, North Carolina-based chain has grown from a tiny hardware store into the world’s second-largest home improvement retailer. (Fortune, 2008) Lowe’s is ranked 48 in the 2008 Fortune 500 Largest Corporations in America. (Fortune, 2008) The company has grown nationwide and today, its stores offer around 40,000 products in stock and even more products are available through their Special Order Service. (Lowes, 2013) One of the most unique branding success stories within the Lowes family is Green Fiber. Green Fiber has developed the capacity to turn what has previously been an environmental "problem" into a major commodity in the building products industry. Green Fiber's natural fiber insulation offers a substantial environmental benefit: made from 8 5 percent recycled paper fiber, Green Fiber insulation products divert millions of tons of paper from landfill each year. (Green Fiber, 2013) As a natural fiber blow-in insulation made with no harmful chemicals, Green Fiber insulation products provide a safe option for builders and DIY homeowners that wish to improve the efficiency of their home insulation without introducing chemically treated materials. (Green Fiber, 2013) Product Description: Green Fiber Cellulose Insulation provides a smart environmentally-friendly choice for home upgrades and new construction. Cellulose insulation is a cost-effective alternative to conventional fiberglass insulation. It provides a green, efficient, non-toxic, affordable thermal solution that increases any homes efficiency and thermal qualities. Blow In Natural Fiber Insulation acts as a thermal blanket in the attic space of a home by increasing the insulation R-values and making homes more energy efficient. (Green Fiber, 2013) II. Current Produ ct Analysis: Green Fiber Insulation is currently the only cellulose-based insulation material offered by Lowes Home Improvement Warehouses. (Lowes, 2013) The main product competitor found on the shelves of Lowes is conventional pink fiberglass insulation that is sold in rolls and bundles. The established presentation of the product is adequate but not dazzling. The simple fact is that Green Fiber Insulation is treated just like its Fiber Glass insulation competitors. In Lowes Home Improvement Stores it is sold as a bulk basic material with limited product information beyond R-Value properties and quick installation guides. The Product Life Cycle of Green Fiber Insulation is at an intersection point. Since the product’s introduction in 2000 cellulose insulation product sales have grown by over 57%. (Green Fiber, 2013) Cost of Green Fiber Insulation is declining on a per unit basis because of increased sales. As profitability for Green Fiber has increased direct competitors (ce llulose insulation manufacturers) and indirect competitors (fiberglass insulation manufacturer’s) have regressed into the market and are attempting to challenge Green Fibers position.

David L. Miller Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

David L. Miller - Case Study Example His characteristics made him difficult to detect because of hypocrisy and deceit in presenting himself. Miller is an innovate fraudster and extensive used various elements of opportunity triangle to steal funds. First, he committed fraud before concealing his record through falsification of records. Notably, he used to concealment techniques of rationalization, opportunity, and motive to commit fraud. Different pressures motivated Miller to embezzle such as the need to buy a car and pay for mortgages. He, therefore, rationalized his actions by starting a family and providing for them as a cover-up ploy.The framing of the T-shirt indicates Miller’s obsession with material possessions as a means of proving his integrity. This compels him to engage in fraud. One of the red flags that could have tipped off company includes Miller’s flashy lifestyle and expensive taste. Companies hesitate to prosecute white-collar criminals because it is expensive for the organization. Howev er, the consequence of not prosecuting such persons entails tainting of the company's image. Law enforcement officials, thus, should encourage more prosecution through in-depth investigating and put fraud deterrence mechanisms. Victimized companies had the opportunity to sue Miller and demand for compensation for their losses.

Response of the United States to the Katarina Catastrophe Assignment - 7

Response of the United States to the Katarina Catastrophe - Assignment Example However, the administration lacks proper and efficient methods, hence failing to convince international partners to venture into the project. With this knowledge, the government has no other way but to come up with detailed procedures for accepting foreign aid. The first step entails setting up a communication protocol with a mandate to request for tailored support in a discreetly proper method (Lasser, 2012). National Preparedness and Response Authority (NPRA) creation and enactment will benefit in the provision of grave leadership for alertness and response to cataclysms. With the task, the NPRA, therefore, needs qualified and experienced leaders in crisis management. In addition, the technic used together with the staff needs real and professional knowledge in disaster management and justification (Bissell, 2014). The NPRA integrates inclusive approaches to crisis management, which involves readiness, response, repossession, and mitigation. Essential infrastructures that include energy and telecommunication system look up to the NPRA for protection from harm and recovery in case of a previous natural disaster encounter. For efficiency and systemic procedures, the establishment of regional offices will help coordinate the response process effectively. It is also the mandate of local agencies to identifying and tailor response to disasters that affect specified geographical areas (Lasser, 2012). The content of the paper precedes research on how a sea storm resulted to Katrina destructive hurricane. It clearly brings out the effects of Katrina on the population and destroyed properties in the affected areas. It also includes both the merits and demerits of processes used in the handling of the Katrina, with clearly outlined policies and recommendations in case of future occurrence of the same disaster. If followed, future damages will be reduced (Haddow, Bullock, & Coppola, 2014).

Australian Criminal Justice System, the Belief in Justice, an Independ Essay

Australian Criminal Justice System, the Belief in Justice, an Independent Judiciary and the Rule of Law - Essay Example For any criminal justice system to be accepted by everyone, it must not discriminate against the people of a certain race, ethnic background or social class. The legal system can only be fair if the necessary procedures that guarantee a fair trial are in place. Similarly, there must be a system of law for the purpose of fairness in the society or simply the Law of Equity. The society will continue to trust the legal system if justice is not only done but perceived to be done. The entire society more so the witnesses and victims should be made aware of steps that are made to ensure that those who are involved in criminal activities are arrested and prosecuted. Furthermore, the public should be able to witness, by the means of the criminal justice system, the law bringing about accountability. The legal system comprises some basic elements of justice which include unbiased judges, jury trials that are just and the provision of security to the witnesses whenever it is called for. The Australian Justice system is based on the belief in justice, an independent judiciary and the rule of law (Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 2008). The people, in disregard of race and whether or not they are citizens, are given similar treatment before the law. The law also safeguards and ensures that the people are given fair treatment by officials and governments. There are some principles which are fundamental to the Australian legal system. These include the separation of powers, judicial precedent and procedural fairness. The Australian jurisprudence is based on the United Kingdom common law system. This law shows a great variation from the other civil law systems operating in Japan, South America and Europe that originated from Roman law (Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 2008). The major feature of the common law is that cases that have been settled previously act as a precedent to the pending  cases.

Small and Micro Enterprises Research Proposal Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Small and Micro Enterprises - Research Proposal Example The state is also the third largest exporter for software parts in a country that is now known as the software hub of the world. Given these accomplishments, despite the absence of big industry names from the overall economic scene of the state the study of the entrepreneurial ability of the small and medium enterprises and their owners would provide a development model that has been tested and has proved its mettle. Entrepreneurial ability and a culture of efficiency and government support to the SME mechanism can prove to be a potent mixture where the economic success of a state set up is concerned. With this hypothesis we present the research proposal. The greatest challenge will be the fact that the research is based on human nature and feedback available from the entrepreneurs and businessmen in the state. There will automatically be issues of authenticity because people in surveys more often that npot state what the think would be the 'correct answer'. The research keeping this in mind will utilize a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods.

Types of Profit Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Types of Profit - Essay Example This capital expenditure takes time which cannot be completed in the short-run. Similarly, no existing firm can leave the industry in the short-run. The reason behind this is that whenever a firm sets up in any industry it has to incur some sunk costs. In lay man terms, sunk costs are actually setup costs. These costs are barriers that do not let the firms leave the industry in the short-run as no firm wants to leave the industry without minimizing or cashing in on some of their sunk costs. As we have already discussed, that no firm can be lured into or pushed-out of the industry in the short-run. The reasons that may tempt the other businesses entering into industry are off course profits, as discussed above. There are two types of profit that firm makes in the short run based on its costs and revenue. A firm may be making large profits or break-even in this time-scale. In economic terms break-even is known as normal profit because the calculation includes implicit or opportunity co sts, which are not actual cost and hence a firm which is breaking even is making a profit in accounting terms. Normal Profits are usually denoted by AR=AC. Similarly, apart from normal profit a firm might also be making a Supernormal profit denoted by a equation AR>AC. These profits positions can be shown in the following diagrams: In figure 1 we see the condition in whi... In short-run when the firm is earning normal profits, the firm is just covering total costs. Since the TC (Total Cost Calculations) also includes implicit costs like opportunity cost of capital employed, return of capital in alternative uses etc. These are not actual costs and hence breaking even would mean that firm is earning profit which it could earning in alternative businesses and hence there is no motivation for the firm to go out of the industry. The distinction in this situation, for the firm, is AC= AR and thus TC = TR. (Lipsey and Chrystal, 2003) In figure 2, we see the condition where our assumed manufacturing firm is making an abnormal profit. In this situation the firm earns more than normal profit and hence in this case there is no reason why the firm would leave the industry but instead if it leaves the industry, it won't be able to make as much profit as it is earning in this industry. In the figure 2, the shaded area "pink" is the amount of supernormal profit that our manufacturing firm is earning. The above two profits positions that a firm could face in the short-run are favorable conditions and hence no rational firm would leave the industry in the prevailing conditions discussed above. However, the problem arises when our manufacturing firm makes an economic loss. An economic loss is a condition when the firm is not able cover its average cost. In this condition, entrepreneurs often face a dilemma whether to continue with the current production or to cease the operation of the firm altogether. However, one interesting point or assumption that we can make here is that even after making an economic loss, sometimes it is feasible for businesses or firms to continue to operate in the industry. The reasons behind this may be economical or

Organization Structures Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Organization Structures - Essay Example The company was founded in 1981; have about 3000 employees worldwide delivering exclusive technology solutions in their niche market. They own a number of patents. Their patented technology models are used even by Microsoft and IBM. The name of the company has been kept confidential on their request. In this report, we will identify this company as Company A. (b) Asia Pacific regional office of one of the largest Security Services Group of the world headquartered in London. They employ the largest no. of people in India (more than 200000 people) among all privately owned organizations. They provide physical security services to MNCs, Banks, Govt. Of India and Foreign Embassies pertaining to Physical Guarding, Facilities Management, Cash Transfer, and Body-Guard services. The name has been kept confidential on their request. In this report, we will identify this company as Company B. In both companies, some departments are flat while others have deep hierarchies. The functional depth and scope of work of departments also varies considerably. Company A possesses a Global Organization Structure while Company B possesses a region specific organization structure. I hereby present a transformation model analysis (Lawrence & Lorsch, 1967, Learning Space - OpenLearn - The Open University; Lawrence 2007) of both the organizations: Transformation Model of Company A: Figure 3 Transformation Model of Company B: Figure 4 Figure 3 Figure 4 The transformation models of the two companies justify the rationale of the organization structure deployed in the two organizations. A closer look reveals the following differences: (a) The input parameters in company A appears to be more relevant to knowledge workers while the same in company B appears to be relevant to physical workers/muscle-men. (b) Company A is processing transformations of a global spread of people knowledge, software tools, networked computers and associated processes into software and associated knowledge products for customers while company B is processing manpower and associated physical resources into physical protection machinery deployed for a customer for physical security. (c) The output delivered by company A is software product and associated knowledge documents while the outputs delivered by company B are physical premises security and secured cash transfer. (d) In case of Company A, the customer is engaged with knowledge workers at a bit & byte level thus widening the span of feedbacks whereby lot of enhancements need to be processed. Every support function along with the Customer Engagement team gets involved. On the other hand, in Company B, the feedback from customers would be more of escalations and service improvement

The Role Of World Vision Philippines In Nation-Bulding Essay Example for Free

The Role Of World Vision Philippines In Nation-Bulding Essay A. Introduction People have the tendency to organize themselves into groups in order to address mutual needs and concerns. As the platitude goes: â€Å" No Man Is An Island†. In the olden days, groups of people banded together to increase their chances of survival because being part of a larger group increased their strength, and even warded off potential predators. Also, being in a group resulted to more people hunting and gathering, which led to an increase in the amount of food that they could accumulate. Today, people band together, not for survival, but for reasons more complex and diverse than before. One of these reasons is to address certain issues that the members of the organizations deem socially relevant and timely. Non-governmental organizations or NGOs are set up by like-minded individuals brought together by a mutual passion, a need to promote or attend to a certain issue, or because of common identities.â€Å"NGOs have been defined according to five structural-operational features which states that NGOs are organized, private, non-profit, self-governing, and voluntary. (Global Civil Society, 2003)†. NGOs are perceived to be organizations geared towards a specific purpose, and are renowned for their vigor and dedication in pursuing their goals. These organizations are commonly concerned with societal issues like supporting out-of-school youths, orphanages, women, health, and education, amongst many others. World Vision is a non-governmental organization set up by Dr. Robert Willard Pierce in 1950. His inspiration for establishing this organization was an abandoned Chinese child called White Jade who he supported by giving $5 a month to her caretaker. The first child sponsorship program was put in place three years later to handle the funds that came from donations when he made a film called the â€Å"38th Parallel†, which intended to raise funds for orphans in the Korean War. Since then, it has spread to the other continents and expanded its scope to include not only children, but also emergency relief, poverty, community-based projects, education, health, leadership training,  and income generation seminars. World Vision also founded a branch of the organization in the Philippines in 1957. This was done to help an orphanage in the island of Guimaras called the Good Shepherd’s Fold by donating musical instruments and textbooks for the children. Three years later, World Vision Philippines established their own orphanage called Mercyville Orphanage in South Cotabato. The Philippines has focused on the concept of nation-building ever since it was given independence by its last colonizer, the United States of America. Admittedly, it has been hard to have a sense of a united Philippines because of the inherent ethnic, religious, and geographic divide between the Filipinos. The Philippine government recognizes that the youth are significant to nation-building as reflected in Section 2 of the Republic Act 8044 which states that: â€Å"The State recognizes its responsibility to enable the youth to fulfill their vital role in nation-building†¦Ã¢â‚¬ . The proponents of this research would like to analyze if the World Vision Philippines, which is one of the largest international organizations here in the country, plays a significant role in the Philippines’ nation-building. The proponents chose this non-governmental organization because of its widespread reputation brought about primarily by their wide scope of beneficiaries and their celebrity endorsements. Also, their programs mainly cater to the youth, which has been established as vital to nation-building, although it is a fact that the World Vision Philippines also have programs for families and communities. However, this fact does not dissuade a possible relationship between World Vision and the Philippines’ nation-building but rather, strengthens it as families and communities also play a role in nation-building. B. Statement Of The Research Problems This research is trying to find out the role of the non-governmental organization, the World Vision Philippines, in the aforementioned country’s nation-building. Specifically, this research attempts to answer the following questions: 1. Does the World Vision Philippines play a significant role in nation-building of the Philippines? 2. How does World Vision Philippines contribute to the nation-building of the Philippines? 3. How is the World Vision Philippines held accountable for all the donations and funds sent to them by their donors? 4. What are the measures used to assess whether the World Vision Philippines’ projects and programs are successful? 5. What are the strengths, weaknesses, threats, and opportunities that affect the World Vision Philippines? 6. What strategies can be done in order to address the said strengths, weaknesses, threats, and opportunities of World Vision Philippines that could help into making it a better organization? C. Statement Of the Research Objectives This research aims to find out the role of the World Vision Philippines in the goal of nation-building. Specifically, the proponents aspire to attain the following objectives: 1. To determine whether World Vision Philippines plays a significant role in nation-building of the Philippines. 2. To describe how the specific programs and projects of the World Vision Philippines contribute to the nation-building of the Philippines. 3. To find out how the World Vision Philippines is held accountable for all the donations and funds sent to them by their donors. 4. To establish what measures are used to assess whether the World Vision Philippines’ projects and programs are successful. 5. To deliberate the strengths, weaknesses, threats, and opportunities that affect the World Vision Philippines. 6. To consider the strategies that can be done in order to address the said strengths, weaknesses, threats, and opportunities of World Vision Philippines that could help into making it a better organization. D. Significance of the Study The existing literature about nation-building in the Philippines does not take into account the role of NGOs. The proponents wish to address this research gap by providing an analysis of the role of one of the largest international non-governmental organizations in the country, the World Vision Philippines. The proponents would like to add to the information available and hope to specifically benefit the following: D.1. World Vision Philippines The World Vision Philippines is the primary beneficiary of this study because it is the organization that is being analyzed by the proponents. If the research proves that the organization does play a significant role in nation-building, their existence will be legitimatized. Also, their reputation would improve which could lead to more donors and volunteers for their programs, projects, and activities. The information and analysis done in this paper could be utilized by the organization in order to improve their services, supplement their inadequacies, address their main problems, maintain or even further enhance their successes, and develop strategies to make their organization more efficient and better as a whole. D.2. Donors Potential and actual donors would also benefit from this study because they will be able to use the information about the World Vision Philippines so that they can more accurately assess whether the organization is worth donating to or not. This is important because the NGO already has a lot of donors from both individuals and institutions. Also, donors are the entities to whom World Vision Philippines is most accountable to because it is their donations that funds the programs, projects, and activities of the said organization. The information provided here can help the donors identify the areas of insufficiencies of the World Vision Philippines, and because of their critical role in the organization, they can wield pressure and influence to make the organization address these issues. D.3. Beneficiaries The beneficiaries of the World Vision Philippines could assess from this research whether the services that are given to them are what the organization promised to render. Also, they would be able to pinpoint the areas that the organization is deficient in, from which, in coordination with the NGO, they could both address these concerns to improve the organization and its services. The beneficiaries could also assess whether the treatment given to them by the NGO is the same for all the other beneficiaries that are also helped by the organization. D.4. Volunteers The potential and actual volunteers of World Vision Philippines can benefit from this study because it would allow them to get to know the NGO better. This is important because as volunteers, they would represent the NGO to the beneficiaries and other entities, and such, they must familiarize themselves in the workings, structures, and principles of the organization. Also, they could assess accurately whether the organization they joined in is delivering on its promises, and if not, being insiders, they would be able to help the organization improve its performance better. D.5. Affiliated NGOS and corporations Non-governmental organizations that work with World Vision Philippines will benefit from this study because it would allow them to understand how the World Vision Philippines works and its priorities and concerns. This would allow them to better their working relationship with the concerned institution, and they could develop strategies which would utilize their and the World Visions’ strengths, weaknesses, threats, and opportunities. One of the most important affiliated organizations of the World Vision Philippines is the Philippine Council for NGO Certification which is an entity that gives a certification to NGOs that meet established minimum criteria for financial management and accountability. This is an important institution because they help in reviewing and establishing the legitimacy and performance of NGOs in the Philippines. D.6. Related Government Agencies Government agencies, whose jurisdictions overlap with the concerns of the World Vision Philippines, will benefit from this study, because they could evaluate the work that the NGO does. If World Vision Philippines is proven to be helpful in nation-building, they can build a partnership with the NGO so that their works are supplemented by the said institution. These government agencies include the Securities and Exchange Commission (the agency that deals with NGOs as a whole), Department of Health (World Vision Philippines is also concerned about the health status of its beneficiaries), DEPED (the aforementioned NGO funds the schooling of its recipients), DSWD (World Vision Philippines’ main receiver of services are the youth, particularly children), and National Risk Reduction Management Council (Because the organization also helps in post-disaster relief missions). D.7. Future Researchers Nation-building and NGOs are very important factors and entities in the society and thus, the proponents of this study believe that researches  discussing either of the two topics, and more importantly, the relationship between the two, will materialize in the future. Future researchers can use this study as a source for their own study. It could also aid them in expanding their resource material base because of the other literatures cited in this study. E. Definition of Terms 1. World Vision Philippines – A non-profit organization which is a subsidiary of an international non-governmental organization that does projects and programs that are primarily concerned with the Philippine youth, but also includes community and family beneficiaries. It also tackles the societal issues of education, health, disaster relief, and youth empowerment. It operates through the funds given by donors and through volunteer-work. 2. Nation-Building – A concept that focuses on the personal development of individuals and communities of a particular nation with the goal of improving the standard of living of everyone in that country in terms of health, education, livelihood, and other factors that have a huge impact in their lives. This involves values formation and community development through active engagement in societal issues that affect the society they live in. This gives special emphasis to the youth as they will be the future professionals, policy-makers, and leaders of the country. 3. Non-governmental organizations – Organizations that operate as an entity that is not part of a government of a country. They are established to pursue a common goal or to address a certain issue. They are usually non-profit. They may be local or international in scope and in terms of their beneficiaries. 4. Donors – People who give money to the World Vision Philippines and are the source of funds of the said institution. 5. Volunteers – People who help in the actual carrying out of the services of World Vision Philippines who expect no pay or compensation for the work that  they do. 6. Beneficiaries – People who receive the funding and services from the World Vision Philippines. The main objective of the said NGO is to improve their standard of living and increase their chances for self-development. 7. Strengths – Internal factors that the World Vision Philippines utilizes and are the advantages that they have that contribute significantly to their good performance in delivering their services. 8. Weaknesses – Internal factors inherent in the World Vision Philippines that significantly but negatively affects their performance in giving out their services in their programs, projects, and activities. These factors puts the said organization at a disadvantage. 9. Opportunities – External factors that positively affects the World Vision Philippines which they can utilize for the betterment of their organization as a whole. 10. Threats – External factors which may hinder the performance of the World Vision Philippines. These needs to be addressed in order to improve the efficiency, timeliness, and overall capacity of the said NGO to deliver their promised services. F. Review of Related Literature This research has included information from various studies and literature on the concepts of non-governmental organizations, nation-building, and World Vision Philippines. Nation-building is an important aspect in the Philippine society. Carolyn Stephenson said that, â€Å"Nation-building matters to intractable conflict because of the theory that a strong state is necessary in order to provide security, that the building of integrated national community is important in the building of a state, and that there may be social and economic  prerequisites or co-requisites to the building of an integrated national community.†This article shows that nation-building is really important because due the integration of national community, the country will be more united in its goal of achieving improvement in the quality of life for all. Nation-building needs a lot of effort to achieve its purpose. According to Native Nations Institute,† Nation-building involves building institutions of self-government that are actually appropriate to the nation and that are effective in addressing the nation’s challenges. Nation-building involves developing the nation’s capacity to make timely, strategically informed decisions about its affairs and to implement those decisions. It involves a comprehensive effort to rebuild societies that work†. Though, we could see that nation-building is not an easy process, still, it is very important because it leads to the formation of countries as stated in the article Nation-building by Alberto Alesina and Bryony Reich(2013): Nation-building is a process which leads to the formation of countries in which the citizens feel a sufficient amount of commonality of interests, goals, and preferences so that they do not wish to separate from each other. Non-governmental organizations are truly a force in today’s society, especially to the people who subscribe to the Constructivist point of view. But even in Liberalism, they are one of the major actors that shape the international society today. As stated by the Commonwealth Business Council (2003): The power of NGOs is further exemplified not just by their increasing number but by their ability to network and mobilize their members to affect global politics†.This was taken furtherby Songco (2006) when he said: â€Å" Such power [of NGOs] was demonstrated in various U.N. conferences, international summits and multilateral meetings where NGOs have been effective in influencing policy agendas, official statements and joint resolutions. The first statement implies that NGOs today are not limited by their scope (environmental, humanitarian, etc.) because they have the power to influence the political sphere in their respective areas. This is relevant to this study because nation-building entails government measures in improving the standards of living of the people and if these measures can be affected by NGOs particularly World Vision then these can be used as a channel or can play a role in nation-building of the Philippines. NGOs play a very significant role in society as reflected by a research paper by Jordan L. which said: NGOs are a potent political force and there are some serious issues confronting civil society that need to be addressedAt the national level, many social services that traditionally were in the purview of government are today delivered by the private sector or through NGOs. This explains NGOs despite being an entity that is not under the government still has political power that it can utilize to realize its advocacies. These organizations play a role in bringing of service to the public but as indicated in the paper, these NGOs also have issues to consider and one of them is their accountability to the public. Because of their significant role in society, people are becoming more and more aware of NGOs and are encouraged to take part in their activities either through donations or volunteerism. However, as their donors and volunteers increase, the accountability of the NGOs to these people, their beneficiaries, and the population as a whole also increases. To wit: The increasing funding of NGOs by official donor agencies thrusts the question of legitimacy into center stage, for if NGOs are becoming more responsive to external concerns, are substituting for government and are growing larger on the basis of foreign funding, what is happening to the links -– to their values and mission, and to their relationships with the poor, supporters and others -– through which they derive their right to intervene in development. This was taken from â€Å"Too Close For Comfort? The Impact of Official Aid on Nongovernmental Organizations† by Edwards and Hulme (1998: 8-9). This reveals that there is an argument regarding the legitimacy of NGOs and a question on how non-governmental are these NGOs especially if they are receiving funding from government institutions as well. The article also says that NGOs need to incorporate mechanisms that can help improve their performance and provide ample measures of evaluation in order for them to remain credible and accountable. The World Vision Philippines is a prime example of a non-governmental organization. According to the article Vision in Action in the Manila Bulleting:â€Å"The World Vision, one of the world’s biggest international NGOs, has established its presence in the Philippines 56 years ago, it has helped uplift and empower poor communities through education, public engagement, values formation, and disaster and emergency response.† (Barawid R.C., Fojas, S.C., Lim, R.S). Since then, the World Vision Philippines, the Philippine branch of the World Vision International, has been an active player in the Philippine arena. From the same article, an example was given in that the NGO was one of the first to respond to the recent onslaught of Typhoon Haiyan in Leyte. They provided relief goods and psychological debriefings in the evacuation centers. This shows that the NGO already has a good reputation in terms of fast response to calamities and that they are very active in their humani tarian undertakings. Because of their very fast, efficient, and lauded response to the Yolanda disaster, the NGO was able to gain more fundings from donors. One of these was the Ascot Limited who â€Å"†¦donated 1.87 million pesos to World Vision for its relief and rehabilitation efforts†¦Ã¢â‚¬ .(TravPR.com) This article shows that private corporations have a lot of trust in the organization and believes that it truly renders good service to its beneficiaries. This also shows that the NGO was able to establish a good reputation in terms of emergency and disaster relief efforts which will be able to encourage more donors and volunteers to patronize their institution. World Vision Philippines is not only concerned with disaster response. It is also concerned with other societal issues like education, sanitation, and all the other aspects that define the standard of living of a child and his family. This multi-scope aspect of the NGO was affirmed by an article in GMA Network which said : â€Å"World Vision is concerned about ensuring safe living spaces for children and their families as heavy rains and aftershocks are still prevalent in quake-hit areas†¦ World Vision calls for more intensified action to uphold childrens education rights in the quake-hit areas. Back-to-school woes include damaged classrooms as teachers and children hold classes in tents. Children in emergencies also need to be protected from the risks of hazardous work in quake-hit areas, along other forms of child abuse and exploitation†. G. Scope and Limitation of the Study The study shall focus on how the projects, programs, and activities of the World Vision helps in the nation-building of the Philippines. It shall not include those of the World Vision International. It shall deal only with the latest statistical data from the latest reports given by the NGO. It will also include interviews conducted with people who can better assess the World Vision Philippines’ performance as a humanitarian institution. CHAPTER 2 CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK A. CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK This study wants to find out the role of the non-governmental organization, the World Vision Philippines, in the Philippines’ nation-building. The proponents use the existing information available about the said organization and analyze them to determine whether they have a relationship to the nation-building of the Philippines. These independent variables include, the projects, programs, and activities of World Vision Philippines, the organization’s financial reports, the outside perception on the NGO, and the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) of the said institution. The dependent variable or the outcome is the role of the World Vision Philippines in the country’s nation-building. B. HYPOTHESES OF THE STUDY This study assumed the following hypotheses: 1. The World Vision Philippines plays a significant role in nation-building of the Philippines. 2. Specific programs and projects of the World Vision Philippines contribute to the nation-building of the Philippines. 3. World Vision Philippines is accountable for all the donations and funds sent to them by their donors. 4. Measures can be used to assess whether the World Vision Philippines’ projects and programs are successful. 5. There are strengths, weaknesses, threats, and opportunities thataffect the World Vision Philippines. 6. Strategies that can be done in order to address the said strengths, weaknesses, threats, and opportunities of World Vision Philippines that could help into making it a better organization. CHAPTER 3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY A. Research Design This paper is classified as a qualitative research because it describes phenomena that are hard to quantify. It could also be described as a Descriptive Research because it shows the associations or relationship of the determined independent variables with the dependent variable. It analyzes existing literature, articles, and reports to determine the role of World Vision Philippines to nation-building. It also makes use of interviews to get the outside perception about the NGO. B. Sources of Data The data shall come from existing literature which may include studies, articles, and feedback about the World Vision Philippines, NGOs, and nation-building. It will make use of the reports disseminated by the World Vision Philippines in its website . It shall also make use of interviews with experts who have a unique perspective about NGOs due to their educational attainment and or experience. These literature and statistics shall come from hardbound or online books, articles, and journals taken from the LPU, UP-Diliman, and national libraries, and from website sources in the internet. C. Method of Data Collection The study employed the Documents or Secondary Data or Data Mining method of data collection wherein the information were based from existing literature. Among the Secondary Data method of data collection, the study used Content Analysis in which literature that is related to the concepts of the paper are found and its content was noted and categorized into appropriate categories and themes. Also, data was gathered through individual in-depth interviews by the interviewers. The interviewers took down important notes in the conduct of the interviews. In order to secure the consent of the selected participants, the researchers relayed all important details of the study, including its aim and purpose. By explaining these important details, the respondents were able to understand the importance of their role in the completion of the research. Respondents were offered no monetary compensation. Preliminary conversations before and after the interview session were also noted as these helped in clarifying and validating any vague responses that emerged in the results. Sample Interview Questions: 1. How would you describe the status of our NGOs today in terms of authenticity, accountability and transparency? 2. Do you believe that NGOs contribute to the nation-building of our country today? If yes, in what way? 3. How does good governance help in the workings of a non-government organization? 4. What measures do you consider are important in analyzing whether an NGO is able to achieve its goals? 5. Is World Vision relevant for the Philippines? Does it have a huge impact amongst the Filipinos? D. Method of Data Analysis After the data has been collected, the proponents used the Descriptive method of data analysis wherein the main characteristics and features of the data gathered are described. After which the Exploratory method of data analysis was then employed in order to study the relationships between our variables. CHAPTER 4 RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS This study identified five research problems in Chapter 1 specifically: 1. Does the World Vision Philippines play a significant role in nation-building of the Philippines? 2. How does World Vision Philippines contribute to the nation-building of the Philippines? 3. How is the World Vision Philippines held accountable for all the donations and funds sent to them by their donors? 4. What are the measures used to assess whether the World Vision Philippines’ projects and programs are successful? 5. What are the strengths, weaknesses, threats, and opportunities that affect the World Vision Philippines? 6. What strategies can be done in order to address the said strengths, weaknesses, threats, and opportunities of World Vision Philippines that could help into making it a better organization? The first problem was answered by identifying the factors involved in nation-building and the scope of the projects of world vision. Nation-building is a concept that focuses on the personal development of individuals and communities of a particular nation with the goal of improving the standard of living of everyone in that country in terms of health, education, livelihood, and other factors that have a huge impact in their lives. This involves values formation and community development through active engagement in societal issues that affect the society they live in. This gives special emphasis to the youth as they will be the future professionals, policy-makers, and leaders of the country. The on-going projects of World Vision Philippines involve areas such as health and nutrition, education, child participation, livelihood, disaster response and  values formation. In the 2012 Annual Report of World Vision Philippines, the organization serves over 20,000 families in 33 area deve lopment programs (ADP) regarding livelihood programs, 110,000 children in 49 ADPs in terms of education-related projects and 51,969 affected families from December 2011-2012 for the natural disaster response programs. World Vision works in 33 provinces and 14 cities in the country. The second research problem was addressed by indicating the various projects being implemented by the World Vision Philippines. Table 1 shows the various priorities of World Vision and their corresponding programs on 2011 and 2012 World Vision Philippines Annual Report. PRIORITIES PROGRAM HEALTH AND NUTRITION Social Mobilization on TB Nutrition Jump Start Channels of Hope Child Health Now EDUCATION Tulong Aral ng Petron Bridge to Employment ABK3 Elementary Comletion LIVELIHOOD Community- Managed Savings and Credit Association (CoMSCA) Food Education with Agricultural Development and Sustainability (FORWARD) Community Economic Ventures, Inc. (CEVI) DISASTER RESPONSE Child Friendly Spaces (CFS) Humanitarian and Emergency Affairs Response Team (HEART) trainings Child-Focused Disaster Risk Reduction (CFDRR) VALUES FORMATION Local Capacities for Peace (LCP) Table 1: World Vision Priorities and Corresponding Programs The third research problem was about the financial accountability of World Vision Philippines regarding the funds being donated to the organization. World Vision released annual reports containing the finances of the organization however there are instances when the information in these reports are too vague. See Figure 1 and 2 which were taken directly from the 2011 and 2012 World Vision Annual Report. Figure 1 showed the breakdown of the finances in the organization in million pesos while Figure 2 merely stated the percentage of each of the expenses. Figure 1: World Vision Financial Report for 2011 Figure 2: World Vision Financial Report 2012 The Philippine Council for NGO Certification gave a 5 year certification to World Vision Philippines last December 29,2010 and will expire in August 25, 2015. This meant that the World Vision Philippines passed the criteria for financial management and accountability in the service to underprivileged Filipinos. According to PCNC PCNC has formulated three rating sheets one is for organizations operating for two or more years; another is for newly established organizations; and the third is for networks. The evaluation covers six areas, namely: Vision, Mission, and Goals; Governance; Administration; Program Operations; Financial Management; and Networking. Financial Management gives the best source of assurance for donors that the recipient organization is accountable and transparent and that donations are  utilized according to the organizations declared goals and objectives. Extra parameters may be added or deleted when necessary, depending on the organization being evaluated. An NGO may get a 1, 3, or 5 year-certification, depending on its years of existence and ratings from the evaluation. To practice transparency, World Vision Philippines’s main program Sponsor-A-Child involves giving annual reports regarding the status of the child that the donors are sponsoring. The sponsorship package includes nutritious food, clean water, access to healthcare and education not only for the child but also his community. The organization also has an event called Lakbay Pag-asa in partnership with Cebu Pacific that allows the donor and the children they are sponsoring to meet. This gives chance to the donors to evaluate the progress of not only the child they are sponsoring but also the families and communities that they will visit. The fourth research problem was answered by the statement of Jennica Enciso, UNFPA Philippines Youth Advisory Panel at UNFPA and Political Science Professor of Jose Rizal University, on measuring the authenticity and effectiveness of NGOs. She stated thatto measure the authenticity of the NGO: first it should be registered but there is a question on the credibility of the body giving the certification especially with the recent happenings regarding the bogus NGOs supposedly created by Janet Lim Napoles. Measuring the effectiveness of an NGO can be done through monitoring and evaluation on how this NGO is active in many activities. The beneficiaries themselves will give a good feedback if they gained any help and if the projects of the NGOs were a success. The fifth research problem was answered by conducting a SWOT analysis on World Vision Philippines. The researchers identified the following as the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of World Vision Philippines: Strengths 1. The organization is devoted to Christian beliefs therefore it adheres to values that are important to the society 2. World Vision’s approach is holistic. 3. They have a target of 15 years to study to complete their Sponsor A Child  Program which shows that they are timebound, and therefore, this project is measurable and can be analyzed. 4. Fast response to natural disasters. 5. Showing people the hard parts of the world. 6. Great reputation and donor base 7. Leaders are people from corporate sector 8. Celebrity endorsements from well-known celebrities like Anne Curtis, Kramer Family, Ogie Alcasid and so on 9. Helps anyone regardless of religious affiliation 10. World Vision promotes public involvement and government policies related to education and children. Weaknesses 1. Public perception wanting to know how much goes to the kids. 2. How the effectiveness of programs is measured. 3. Getting the word out that it is not a bad company that only thinks about themselves. 4. People do not donate because they cannot afford the minimum amount specified in certain programs such as Sponsor-a-Child. 5. Decentralized leadership leads to delayed decision making 6. Uncertainty of the continuation of funds coming from donors 7. Reactive, rather than proactive culture 8. Personnel not ready to deal with the huge influx of orphans and sick patients. 9. Website is not updated particularly the contact page. 10. Vague report on financial accountability. Opportunities 1. World Vision is getting donation from churches. 2. Government and private organization also give donations to the World Vision. 3. Organization is able to expand programs because there is a great need from its targeted beneficiaries. 4. Can build on community models and leverage community relationships 5. Collaborate with other organizations to expand their reach 6. World Vision can utilize their celebrity endorsers to further promote the advocacies of the organization 7. Recent natural calamities that occurred in the country can serve as a means to carry out  disaster response programs 8. Their twitter already has 31.4 thousand followers. 9. Celebrities who are non-World Vision endorsers publicly donate to World Vision Philippines (Valentines Concert of Regine Velasquez and Martin Nievera) 10. Sentimentality of people from affected areas increased volunteerism. Threats 1. Embezzlement 2. Computer Failure 3. Negative Legislature and Lawsuits 4. Strikes 5. Tax Problems 6. Terrorism 7. Workplace Violence 8. Competition from other Charities that implement changes more quickly 9. Possibility of Economic Crisis 10. Bad Reviews on NGOs The last research problem was addressed in Figures 3 to 10 that shows the strategies identified by the researches as possible means to improve the organization. Figure 3: S1-01 Strategy Figure 4: S2-03 Strategy Figure 5:S1-T1 Strategy Figure 6: S8-T10 Strategy Figure 7: W6-02 Strategy Figure 8: W3-010 Strategy Figure 9: W8-T8 Strategy Figure 10: W6-T9 Strategy CHAPTER 5 SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS SUMMARY This study wants to find out the role that the World Vision Philippines play in the country’s nation-building. After analysis of the existing literature, It was found out that the organization does play significant role in nation-building primarily because its projects, programs, and priorities coincides with activities that are essential to nation-building like improvements in the standard of living of the people in terms of health and nutrition, education, child participation, livelihood, disaster response and values formation. The World Vision Philippines has 14 active programs, four of which are related to health and nutrition, another four for education, three for livelihood, two for disaster response, and one for values formation. The World Vision Philippines holds itself accountable to its donors and the public by releasing an annual financial report that shows the breakdown of their revenues, expenses, and project costs. A private organization, the Philippine Council for NGO Certification, gave a five year certification to World Vision Philippines which meant that it passed the minimum requirement for an NGO in terms of financial management and accountability in rendering its services. Another way it practices transparency is in the program Sponsor-A-Child, the NGO gives annual reports to the donors regarding the status, grades, and other relevant information of their specific beneficiary. Ms. Jennica Encisco said that the authenticity and effectiveness of NGOS are measured by analyzing whether they are registered as such, monitoring and evaluating the activities of the NGO, and through the feedback of actual beneficiaries. The proponents listed down 10 Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) to the  organization and recommended strategies that utilized this SWOT to help improve the performance and efficiency of the organization. CONCLUSIONS The study has derived the following conclusions based on the information gathered by the researchers. World Vision Philippines plays a significant role in nation-building of the Philippines since the scope of its projects involve factors that are needed in nation-building such as health, education, livelihood, individual and community development and so on. World Vision contributes to the nation-building through its projects such as Social Mobilization on TB, ABK3. Child Friendly Spaces, Local Capacities for Peace, Bridge to Employment and many more. World Vision Philippines is held accountable for all the donations and funds sent to them by their donors by publishing annual reports available to the public, providing reports to their donors regarding the status of their sponsored child or community, and having a certification from the PCNC. However there is still a question on the authenticity of some of the financial reports due to the vagueness of the information given. The measure s used to assess the success of World Vision Philippines’ projects are monitoring, evaluation and feedback regarding the programs. The strengths of World Vision Philippines are the organization is devoted to Christian beliefs therefore it adheres to values that are important to the society, World Vision’s approach is holistic, they have a target of 15 years to study to complete their Sponsor A Child Program which shows that they are time-bound, and therefore, this project is measurable and can be analyzed; Fast response to natural disasters, Showing people the hard parts of the world; Great reputation and donor base; and lastly, World Vision promotes public involvement and government policies related to education and children. The weaknesses of the organization are public perception wanting to know how much goes to the kids, how the effectiveness of programs is measured, getting the word out that it is not a bad company that only thinks about themselves and lastly, people do not donate because they cannot afford the minimum amount specified in certain programs such as Sponsor-a-Child. The opportunities of World Vision are it is getting donation from churches, Government and private organization also give donations to the World Vision; Organization is able to expand programs because there is a great need from its targeted beneficiaries, Can build on community models and leverage community relationships, and lastly, they collaborate with other organizations to expand their reach. The threats on World Vision Philippines are embezzlement , computer failure, negative legislature and lawsuits, strikes, tax problems, terrorism, workplace violence, competition from other charities that implement changes more quickly, possibility of economic crisis and lastly, bad reviews on NGOs. The different strategies that World Vision Philippines can adopt to improve and overcome the challenges it faces are: Because of their strong affiliations with the Christian Churches, and because the latter has lots of adherents who give out donations to their institution, churches who are donors of World Vision Philippines could be a major source of funds for the said organization; Since the World Vision Philippines is not limited to a single social issue and there is a great need from the targeted beneficiaries of their programs, there is a huge demand for the services of the organization which strengthens its reason for existence; If the organization strengthens its members and volunteers’ Christian values, then the likelihood of cases of embezzlement shall be significantly reduced; The NGO can utilize their celebrity endorsements to counteract negative reviews and this will be effective because celebrities have huge followings and thus, wield significant influence; Since government and private organizations also donate to the World Vision Philippines, the funds coming from them will be more stable than those coming from individuals; The problem of World Vision Philippines in proving that they really care about the services they render rather than for personal gain can be addressed by utilizing people who want to be volunteers because their areas were ravaged by natural disasters; The World vision Philippines should recruit more volunteers and personnel and train them in order to sufficiently address the influx of orphans and sick patients and thus be more competitive against other NGOs and charitable institutions and lastly, World Vision Philippines must expand their donor base to include institutions and individuals that  are financially secure so as to counter the uncertainty of the source of funds and the threat of an economic crisis depleting the funds of their usual donor base. RECOMMENDATIONS The proponents recommend to the future researchers the following: Future researchers mustutilize primary sources such as interviews from experts such that there will have a more in-depth and possibly more accurate perspective about the status and assessment on NGOs in the Philippines and specifically, World Vision. Future researches should identify the organizational structure of World Vision in order to determine whether or not it has an impact on the success of the implementation of the programs. Future researches should discuss the authenticity of the certification issued by PCNC especially with the recent happenings regarding bogus NGOs. BIBLIOGRAPHY Commonwealth Business Council, â€Å"Strengthening Good Governance in Business, Government, Civil Society: Shared Challenges of Leadership and Accountability†. November 2003. Songco, Danilo A. 2006. The Evolution of NGO Accountability Practices and their Implications on Philippine NGOs A literature review and options paper for the Philippine Council for NGO Certification TravPR.com. Febrauary 2014. Ascott and Capitaland Hope Foundation Donate PHP1.87 Million to World Vision’s Typhoon Yolanda Relief and Rehabilitation Operations. Retrived from: http://www.travpr.com/pr-28129-ascott-and-capitaland-hope.html Rachel C. Barawid, Sara C. Fojas Ronald S. Lim. February 2014.Vision in Action. Manila Bulletin. World Vision Philippines. January 2014. World Vision launches shelter project for quake-hit Bohol. Retrieved from: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/343817/cbb/world-vision-launches-shelter-project-for-quake-hit-bohol Jordan, L.,2005. â€Å"Mechanisms for NGO Accountability†, GPPi Research Paper Series No. 3, Global Public Policy Institute, Berlin, Germany. Edwards, M. Hulme, D. 1996. â€Å"Too Close For Comfort? The Impact of Official Aid on Nongovernmental Organizations,† in World Development, Volume 24. U. K. Native Nations Institute. 2013. What is Native Nation Building. Stephenson, C. 2005. Nation-building. World Vision. http://issuu.com/myworldvision/docs/2012_annual_report Alesina, A. Reich B. 2013. Nation-building.