One of the architectural wonders of the world — the Taj Mahal in Agra, India. 👑👑👑👑👑💎💎✨💎💎👑👑👑👑👑 📸Inspirational photo by kyrenian!📸 Built in 1632 by the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan, in memory of his wife, Mumtaz, precious materials were brought in from many countries to achieve his aesthetic vision: Vast quantities of white marble were mined from the quarries in Rajasthan; Red Sandstone was carted from Delhi. Precious stones were brought by caravan from all corners of the empire and beyond: Jasper from the Punjab, Carnelian from Baghdad, Turquoise from Tibet; Malachite, Jade and Crystal from Turkestan; Diamonds from Panna, Lapis Lazuli and Sapphires from Sri Lanka. In all, over 40 kinds of rare, semi precious and precious stones, including Emeralds and Pearls, were used for inlay work in the Taj Mahal at a cost of almost $32 Million (which would be the equivalent of $1 Billion today!). A ten-mile long ramp was built through Agra so materials could be dragged to the top ...