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At the heart of the Taj Mahal lies the cenotaphs, the very reason why this monument was built - to make a tomb for Shah Jahan's wife Mumtaz Mahal. Shah Jahan's cenotaph lies next to his wife, and that is the only visible asymmetry in the entire Taj complex. Mumtaz's tomb is exactly at the centre, the other being placed as an after thought. This is very evident as Shah Jahan's tomb overlaps the flooring pattern around the tomb of Mumtaz.
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Mumtaz's cenotaph is placed on a raised platform that measures approximately 2.5 x 1.5 metres. The other cenotaph is also laid in a similar fashion, but is bigger in size. Both the base and the tops are decorated with very fine inlay work using semi precious jewels. Circling the cenotaphs, is an exquisite jali screen, made of marble with splendid carvings and inlay work. The epitaph at the foot end of Mumtaz's tomb is inscribed with the text that reads “The illuminated grave of Arjumand Banu Begam, entitled Mumtaz Mahal, who died in the year 1040” ( ad. 1631).
While Shah Jahan's cenotaph states “This is the sacred grave of His Most Exalted Majesty, Dweller in Paradise, Second Lord of the Auspicious Conjunction, Shah Jahan, Padshah; may it ever be fragrant! The year 1076” (ad. 1666).
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