Friday, February 24, 2017
The Taj Mahal was created by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It was completed in 1648, after 20,000 laborers toiled for 22 years. Construction materials were brought in from all over India and central Asia, and it is believed that a fleet of 1000 elephants transported these materials to the site. In all, there are 28 different types of precious and semi-precious stones inlaid into the marble. The Taj is a jewel box, and although it has been described as a testament to enduring love, it is still a tomb, albeit one of the most beautiful in the world....
