Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal Hundreds of years ago, the Mughal(MOO-guhl) family ruled parts of India. They were rich and powerful rulers. They built many beautiful buildings that still stand today. Of all the places the Mughal people built, the most famous is the Taj Mahal(TA] muh-HAHL) in Agra, India.

The Taj Mahal is a memorial with beautiful buildings, walls, and gates. It also has peaceful gardens and lovely pools of water. Shah Jahan (SHAH jah-HAHN) was an important Mughal ruler. He built the Taj Mahal over three hundred years ago for his wife after she died. Her name was Mumtaz Mahal (moom-TAHZ muh-HAHL). Shah Jahan wanted to make a beautiful burial place for her, He wanted people to remember her for a long time.

The Great Gate People enter the Taj Mahal through the Great Gate. Visitors can see the main building through the door of the gate. The huge white building is where Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal are buried. Four tall, thin towers are around it.

The Main Building Some of the Taj Mahal's buildings are made of red sandstone. The main building and the towers around it are made of white stone called marble. The Taj Mahal buildings have many beautiful things, both inside and outside. Artists used thousands of colorful stones to make flowers, butterflies, and other pictures on the walls. Different kinds of shiny gems were used as well.

Visitors can go inside the main building, where Shah Jahan and his wife are buried. A coffin for Mumtaz Mahal is in the center of the room. Her husband's coffin is beside hers. Both coffins are empty, They are only for people to view, The real burial places are in a room under the main floor.