The Taj Mahal

A white marble wonder, built out of love.

This is the Taj Mahal, a shining white tomb standing beside a river in Agra, India.

It was built by an emperor named Shah Jahan, who ruled the Mughal empire long ago.

He loved his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, very much. When she died in sixteen thirty one, he was heartbroken.

• Built in memory of Mumtaz Mahal

So he promised to build the most beautiful tomb in the world for her.

Work began in sixteen thirty one. The main tomb took about seventeen years, and the whole complex was finished in sixteen fifty three.

Thousands of workers carved, lifted and built, using huge wooden scaffolds and elephants to carry the heavy stones.

The tomb is made of shining white marble, while the other buildings use red sandstone.

Look closely and you will see flowers made from tiny pieces of colourful stones, set into the marble. The design is perfectly balanced. The left side is a mirror of the right side. A long garden with pools leads up to the tomb, so the building seems to float above its own reflection.

• Stone flower inlay
• Marble inlaid with gems
• Perfect symmetry

Shah Jahan is buried here too, right beside his wife. The Taj is a tomb for two.

Today millions of people visit every year, and it is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Quick question. Why did Shah Jahan build the Taj Mahal? The Taj Mahal is a white marble tomb, built by Shah Jahan, to show his lasting love.

• Love turned into marble