Some background on the Taj Mahal and why it was built:
In 1631, Shah Jahan, emperor during the Mughal empire's period of greatest prosperity, was griefstricken when his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, died during the birth of their fourteenth child, Gauhara Begum.[2] The court chronicles of Shah Jahan's grief illustrates the love story traditionally held as an inspiration for Taj Mahal.[3] [4] The construction of Taj Mahal begun soon after Mumtaz's death with the principal mausoleum completed in 1648. The surrounding buildings and garden were finished five years later.Empror Shah Jahan himself described the Taj in these words:
I am traveling with my boss, Mina Stewart, her daughter, Paige, and her Aunt Mary. Mary is a DC native and she and I have had some good laughs. She's the trouble maker, I'm sure there is no need for me to point that fact out!"Should guilty seek asylum here, Like one pardoned, he becomes free from sin. Should a sinner make his way to this mansion, All his past sins are to be washed away. The sight of this mansion creates sorrowing sighs; And the sun and the moon shed tears from their eyes. In this world this edifice has been made; To display thereby the creator's glory".[5]
Additional photos of the day can be viewed at:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=32969&l=2f70e&id=827093935
