This grand mausoleum, which stands due north and south, on the southern
bank of the river Jumna, was built by command of the emperor Shah Jehan
for the interment of his favorite sultana Momtaz-mehl, or Montazal
Zumani, the “preëminent in the seraglio,” or “paragon of the age,” and
at his death his remains were also here deposited, by order of his son
Aurungzebe. This building, in point of design and execution, is one of
the most extensive, elegant, commodious, and perfect works ever
undertaken and finished by one man. To this celebrated architect Shah
Jehan gave the title of Zerreer-dust, or “jewel-handed,” to distinguish
him from all other artists. It is built entirely of pure white marble,
on an immense square platform of the same material, having a lofty
minaret of equal beauty at every corner. On each side and behind the
imperial mausoleum, is a suite of elegant apartments, also of white
marble, highly decorated with colored stones. The tombs and other
principal parts of this vast fabric are inlaid with wreaths of flowers
and foliage in their natural colors, entirely composed of carnelians,
onyxes, verd-antique, _lapis lazuli_, and a variety of agates, so
admirably finished as to have the appearance of an ivory model set with
jewels. It was commenced in the fifth year of the reign of the emperor
Shah Jehan, and the whole completed in sixteen years, four months, and
twenty-one days. It cost ninety-eight lacs, or nine million, eight
hundred and fifteen thousand rupees, equal to more than six million
dollars, although the price of labor then was, and still continues to
be, very reasonable in India.