The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum in Agra, India made entirely of white marble. It took 22 years to build and 22,000 workers to complete it. The Taj Mahal is a sign of eternal love. It was
built by Emperor Shah Jahn in memory of his dear wife, Queen Mumtaz Mahal. Taj Mahal can be translated to Crown Palace. The head architect was Ustad 'Isa. It cost an estimated 32 million Rupees. Its central dome is fifty-eight feet in diameter and rises to a height of 213 feet. It is flanked by four subsidiary domed chambers. The four graceful, slender minarets are 162.5 feet each. The entire mausoleum (inside as well as outside) is decorated with inlaid design of flowers and calligraphy using precious gems such as agate and jasper. The main archways, chiseled with passages from the Holy Qur’an and the bold scroll work of flowery pattern, give a captivating charm to its beauty. The central domed chamber and four adjoining chambers include many walls and panels of Islamic decoration. But truly, words cannot describe its beauty at dawn and dusk.