The Taj Mahal is one of the most famous tourist sites in the world. It also is one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. Among its other superlatives, it has been called one of the seven wonders of the modern world. In a country that may be one of the most intriguing travel destinations on the planet, the Taj Mahal is the one site no tourist visiting India can miss.

Like other great works of architecture, its past and its history are subjects of some debate. Like the pyramids of Egypt it took many years and tens of thousands of workers to construct. Also like the pyramids, it houses the tomb of rulers. Its walls also are covered in artwork and are highly ornate. There are few structures in the modern world that are its equal.

History

The Taj Mahal was constructed in the 17th century between the years 1630 to 1653. It was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a temple for his wife, Arjumand Banu Begum, who was Persian. She also was known as Mumtaz Mahal, from which the name is said to be derived. In general, the structure is referred to simply as "the Taj."

In addition to the portion of the building that houses the tombs of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal, there also is an ornate gateway, an elaborate garden, and a section that was used as a guest house. Over the years competing interests have claimed it as both an Islamic mosque and a Hindu temple.

Contrasts

Part of the Taj's beauty and mystery is its varied past. More than 20,000 workers were involved in its construction and more than a dozen craftsmen and artisans were involved in its design. Among the stories about its construction was one that claims Shah Jahan had the eyes of one architect gouged out so he could not design another building of its equal and that several artisans had their hands cut off so they could not produce any work to equal it.

There also are stories that another structure made of black marble was planned adjacent to the complex in contract to its white marble, but those stories also are disputed. It stands as a testament to both love and religion, in fact several religions. During World War II, it was covered by scaffolding to hide it from bombing raids.