The Taj Mahal, which literally translates into “Crown of the Palace”, is believed to be a tomb to the wife of Shah Jehan, named Mumtaz Mahal. Shah Jehan was the fifth Mughal emperor and was married to Mahal in the early 17th century A.D. She produced fourteen children for him and died tragically in 1630 from childrearing complications. The two were inseparable and it is believed that this devoted love is the inspiration behind the grandeur that is the Taj Mahal. It is Shah Jehan’s monument of eternal love to his deceased wife.

Twenty years of labor and twenty thousand laborers later, the Taj Mahal was brought to existence. It is made primarily from red sandstone, marble, and granite, with the outside built entirely of white marble. Its estimated c

Lashkari, Saumya. Home Page. 20 October, 1995.

This gateway is marvelously decorated as well. It is richly inlaid with flowers and gemstones. Many scriptures are inscribed along the archways. There is an amazing optical illusion regarding the writing found on its walls. The scriptures (which are excerpts from the Koran, the Muslim Word of God) are gradually enlarge and shortened according to their point on the arch so that they look consistent throughout. There is also another optical illusion concerning the size of the arch itself. From a distance, it appears to look much smaller than it truly is, but as you approach it, it grows in size until it appears massive and immense. This may be another trick used to foil potential raiders, like the empty hallways are suspected to be, or it just may be a show of the Shah’s power and ability to create.

It also boasts an incredible water moat in the front, lined with trees and flowers of all shapes and sizes. This Persian garden attempted to recreate what they believed to be a “dream” or “heaven” in reality. They used very specific formulas in their layout plans of this inner garden. From any point of this garden, one can see an unobstructed view of the Taj Mahal. The center building that is most famous and most easily recognized by its huge spherical spire is constructed of bronze and stands close to 17 meters high.

On the west side of the central Taj Mahal are prayer mosques facing Mecca primarily used for worship. These are made of that same red sandstone and strewn with red prayer carpets with which to pay homage to Allah. There are more scriptures from the Koran engraved on the walls of these worship houses. There are exactly 539 prayer carpets. Along the walls is said to be printed the 99 names of Allah. The east side looks to be exactly symmetrical with the west side but since it is not facing

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