David T. Ball has traveled across the world, both for business and in personal pursuit of new experiences. David T. Ball has visited many of the world's most exciting destinations, including the Taj Mahal in India.

1. THE TAJ MAHAL - AN INTRODUCTION
FOR VISITORS
DAVID T BALL, TEXAS

2. INTRODUCTION
 David T. Ball has traveled across the world, both for business and in personal
pursuit of new experiences. David T. Ball has visited many of the world's most
exciting destinations, including the Taj Mahal in India.
A beautiful structure that has played host to countless visitors, the Taj Mahal
draws those who admire its artful construction as well as its romantic back
story. It has stood since the 17th century as a monument to the love of
Mughal emperor Shah Jahan for his queen, Mumtaz Mahal. When Mumtaz
died in 1631 following the birth of the couple's 14th child, which she bore
while on a war campaign with her husband, Shah Jahan ordered the most
skilled builders and architects in the empire to design a monument to her
memory.
The monument, which stands on the banks of the Yamuna River, is constructed
of white marble and features both semi-precious and precious stones from
across Asia.

3. TAJ MAHAL
 Although yellowed from years of pollution over time, it seems to shift its
hue in the effects of the changing daylight. Many travelers have found
sunrise to be a particularly magical time to see the monument emerge
from the dark, and this offers the additional advantage of smaller crowds.
In most cases, it takes about three hours to see the full complex, including
the mausoleum, mosque, and assembly hall. Visitors can take a guided
tour, although some find that an audio guide offers more flexibility. By
turning the audio off, the visitor can view the tomb in silent wonder.