The Taj Mahal is one of the seven wonders of the world. Mausoleum complex on the southern bank of the Yamuna River, outside Agra, India.It was built by the Mughal emperor
SHAH JAHAN in memory of his wife,Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 1631.The Taj complex, begun c.1632, took 22 years to complete.It made use of the services of 22,000 laborers and 1,000 elephants.At its center lies a square garden area bounded by two smaller,oblong sections, one comprising the mausoleum and the other an entrance gateway.The monument was built entirely out of white marble.Its interior,with fine,restrained stone decoration,centres on octagonal chamber containing the marble tombs,enclosed by perforated marble screen,with sarcophagi below.After an expenditure of approximately 32 million rupees (approx US $68000), Taj Mahal was finally completed in the year 1653. Regarded as one of the wold's most beautiful buildings, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983.
