8 Billion Dollar Mausoleum
The story of the Taj Mahal
How It Got Started
Jahan,who was a member of the Mughal Dynasty and ruled most of northern India from early 16 to mid 18 century. The creator of the beautiful white marble mausoleum. That was inlaid with semi-precious stones(jade,crystal,lapis lazuli,amethyst,and turquoise.) and that took 22 years to build. That took 1000 elephants and billions of rupees(eight billion dollars) Just for his favorite wife! The Taj Mahal was built in her honor.
Jahan And His Favorite Wife
Jahan was married to Arjumand Banu Begum in 1612. She died giving birth to the couples 14th child.His grief led him to building the beautiful mausoleum. He gave the nickname Mumtaz Mahalu to Arjumand Banu Begum which means "Chosen One Of The Palace." The Taj Mahal can also be spelled Tadj Mahall.
A More Detailed Look!
One of the most beautiful buildings in the world!
The Building
The Taj Mahal is enclosed with a high red-stone wall with octagonal turrets at the corners. It stands on a square marble base 312 feet per side and 23 feet high. The top stands 243 feet high. There i s a eight-sided room with monuments and statues of Jahan and his wife. There actual tombs are in a vault at garden level.
The Workers
It took more than 20,000 workers to compete the Taj Mahal. Architects were called in from India, Persia and other places. Amanta Khan Shiraz, from Persia, was in charge of the calligraphy. Also Ustad Ahmand Tahauri was the chief architecture. When they finished the Taj Mahal, Jahan cut off the workers appendages(fingers) so they could not replicate the design.
Plot Twist
Jahan was under house arrest in a tower for the rest of his life because he could not pay the workers.But he was still happy because through the window and saw the beautiful resting place he built for his wife. When he died in 1666 he was also buried at the Taj Mahal next to Arjumund Banu Belgum.
My Resources Were
"Britannica School." Britannica School. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2014
The Taj Mahal. "History.com. A&E Television Networks, a.n.d. Web. 09 Nov. 2014