Considered to be the finest example of Mughal architecture, the Taj Mahal is a mausoleum built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife. The white domed marble mausoleum is the most well known aspect of the building. Construction of the building began in 1632, employing thousands of artisans and craftsmen and was lead by a board of architects including Ustad Ahmad Lahauri who is generally considered to be the principal designer. In 1983, the Taj Mahal was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site list as a jewel of Muslim art in India. With two to four million visitors annually, the Taj Mahal is definitely one of the most visited landmarks worldwide. It has been listed on [Read more…] about Taj Mahal :: Agra, India
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Gateway of India :: Mumbai, India
On the southern coast of Mumbai, India you will find one of the world’s most beautiful landmarks, The Gateway of India. It was built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to Bombay in December, 1911. The basalt arch is 85 feet high and it was designed using a combination of both Hindu and Muslim architectural styles. However, the most important thing about the Gateway of India is not the arch itself, but the [Read more…] about Gateway of India :: Mumbai, India
Hawa Mahal :: Jaipur, India
Part of the City Palace Complex in Jaipur, India is an architectural marvel that could easily compete for most beautiful building on the planet. Built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh in 1799, Hawa Mahal was designed by Lal Chand Usta using a combination of Mughal and Rajput architecture. It has often been compared to honeycombs, cakes, and even to extravagant jewelry. In reality, this Palace of Winds (the literal English translation of Hawa Mahal) was built to house the many royal wives and concubines of [Read more…] about Hawa Mahal :: Jaipur, India