View from the hotel window. (A selective edit as there were surrounding buildings.)

More locals.

The front gate. The mausoleum itself is fully enclosed inside a walled garden.

As you come through the front gate.

and another.

Yes it does look this good!

An asymmetrical view just to upset the architect.

One corner. Note the detailed stone inlays. There is an optical illusion here. Only half the edges are real.

Text decoration from the Islamic tradition. The Mughal emperors were well into multiculturalism (to keep the peace).

One of the four columns. These were slanted slightly outwards so they would fall away from the main structure if they ever collapsed.

The site for the Black Mahal where the emperor himself was supposed to be buried. This is on the opposite bank of the Yamuna river.

A mosque in the western wall (facing Mecca). There was an identical eastern structure with no purpose other then symmetry.

The garden paths and walls are made from the local red sandstone.

A peepul tree.

The trees did have their botanical names shown but...

A sandalwood tree. (On the right)

You get the point. Nice garden

Alright another one. A Banyan tree.

been there... done that...

The marble is hard and non-porous unlike any other. It comes from Rajhastan. Descendants of the original artisans still use the same techniques today.

After the stone is cut, it is painted with henna. The design is etched and the semi-precious stones are fixed with a traditional cement.

All finished. Something like this takes one person about six months.

No photos are allowed inside the Taj Mahal but this shows the sort of pattern and detail you see inside and out. (We, of course, have bought samples to show anyone interested.)

This is still used by military with only a small area open to tourists.

The inevitable moat. Eagle eyes will note the Taj in the background.

The front gate (well one of four). This is known as the Lahore Gate.

Those damn Sikhs are everywhere. The name of the Lahore Gate.

and just inside.

There are some parrots in this tree: honest.

The fort is large with many internal buildings.

Example of some of the architectural influences.

The emperor’s court for public audiences.

The emperor sat up here.

This was where Shah Jahan was imprisoned. (The one that built the Taj).

The bathroom. (This area was closed for renovations.)

View from the prison.

and a bit of a close up.

Akbar’s walled city capital. View from inside the city coming up to the palace.

The Cabinet room.

Ministers stood at this level with the emperor above here.

and here he sat.

View of courtyard from behind the Cabinet room.

Mausoleum for Akbar’s favorite elephant.

Water tank for the palace. Channels drained water from the palace to this tank.

Private balconies for the Hindi queen. (There were three: Hindi, Christian and Muslim)

Detail of stone carving. Designs included Hindi, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Jain and Persian.

Entertainment stage. The emperor’s bedroom is to the left of this photo and directly behind is the viewing platform.

The emperor’s bed.

The Hindi queen’s bedroom. This was the biggest as she bore the only son.

Rooms in the Christian queen’s palace. (I think)

Lower detail of the front entrance to the city. This is the highest gate in Asia.

Looking up.

The inside view. This courtyard includes the mausoleum of the Sufi fakir, Saleem Christi.

and this is the courtyard.
This area is adjacent to the royal palace.