Beautiful Monument of Love

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The new Seven Wonders of the World were announced in July 2007 and among stiff competition the Taj Mahal of India has been included as the seventh wonder of the world. The is no doubt in the mind of every Indian that this great monument is truly a great wonder of the world. It is tribute of love made by Emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Thousands of people vist Agra in India to view this beautiful and beloved monument. Built on the bank of river Yamuna, this treasure of India is worth a sight.

This beautiful monument of story has a beautiful love story behind its construction. Shah Jahan the fourth Mugal Emperor of India, fell in love with Mumtaz Mahal, whose name was Arjumand Banu Begam, at the age of 14. He later married her after five years in 1612. Shah Jahan became the Emperor in 1628. The title Mumtaz Mahal which means "Jewel of the Palace" was bestowed on his wife by TajMahal. Although he had other wives, Mumtaz was his favorite and he loved her so much. But Mumtaz died while delivering their 14th child and Shah Jahan was terribly heart broken. He went into mourning and two years after her death, he undertook the task of building the most beautiful monument in memory of his loved one. And the great Taj Mahal was constructed.

The Taj Mahal which entombs Shah Jahan and his wife is made of white marble with 28 varieties of precious metals and gems, and the construction took 22 years to complete, by 20ooo workers, from 1631 to 1653. The materials and precious stones for construction were bought from different parts of India and around the world. The marbles were bought from Jaipur, and stones like jade came from China, Crystal from tibet, Lapis Lazuli from Afghanistan, Carnelian from Arabia and Sapphire from Sri Lanka. A interesting fact about this magnificent and wonderful monument is that the Taj seems to change colors as it reflects the light of the rising sun and setting sun.

The chief architects of the Taj came from The State of Delhi India, and from Persia, Turkey and Baluchistan and the cost of the building and its surroundings costs more than $200,000,000 in today's currency. The design was by three main architects, a Persian, an Italian and a Frenchman. The Taj garden, known as the Charbagh Garden is a Persian style garden and is said to be closely linked to Paradise. There is a raised lotus shaped tank in the center of the garden and the view of Taj Mahal can be seen in the water from all corners of the garden.

Taj Mahal, the most beautiful monument, based on love, is a beauty which lasts for ever and ever.