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A Wonder of Majestic Beauty
by The Taj Mahal Has Stood for Nearly 400 Years
by Kayla Hollis, age 11
In
1631, Arjuman Banu Began died giving birth to her fourteenth child. Her
husband, Shah Jehan, the Moghul Emperor in India, was devastated. He
sought to build a tomb in her memory that was like nothing else in the
world. “The Taj Mahal” would symbolize his great love for her. And after
22 years, with the help of 20,000 workers, his desire was realized.
The
Taj Mahal, was named for the nickname of Sha Jehan’s late wife. after
his late wife’s nickname, “Mumtaz Mahal,” which means “chosen one of the
palace.” Tourists from all over the world fill this scenic tomb daily
and have not yet been disappointed by its beauty. This dome shaped
monument has stunning architecture with a beautiful marble structure and
rooftop. These, along with the Taj’s surrounding gardens, its
reflections in the water, and its fantastic symmetry, are some unique
and rare features that make this monument special. It is considered one
of the seven wonders of the world. While standing on benches outside of
the palace, tourists take pictures with their arms outstretched, giving
the illusion that they’re pinching the top of the dome.
The Taj
Mahal is made of marble, shipped from 200 miles away, with precious
stones embedded in it. At one time, the Taj Mahal also featured silver
doors, a gold railing and a cloth of pearls that once laid over the
queen’s cenotaph, which stood directly above the actual burial place.
Sadly, thieves stole these beautiful items. Thieves also attempted to
remove the precious stones inlaid in the marble. Despite these losses,
the burial place remains breath-taking.
Shah Jehan’s son,
Aurangzeb, usurped his father in 1658 and held him under house arrest
until his death nine years later. While Shah Jehan stayed in a fort in
Agra, he had a view of the Taj Mahal in the distance. After his death,
he was buried next to his wife.
The Taj Mahal still stands today and welcomes thousands of visitors who marvel at its beauty.
[Source: 100 Great Wonders of the World]
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