Mosque and Rest House

Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the world, is also one of the greatest architectural creations on the surface of the earth. Built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz, the Taj Mahal is one of the most wonderful monuments that speak about the great architecture of the Mughal period. Built entirely by white marbles, the bright Taj Mahal is actually an unique specimen of combination of Mughal architecture with traditional Muslim, Italian and Persian architecture. The amazing architecture of Taj Mahal and its exterior parts also speak about the sense of art among the Mughals and introduce people to their cultural and social traditions. Apart from the main building, the exterior including the main gateways, the mosque and rest house in Taj Mahal are also interesting things to see.

You would get to see the mosque and rest house at the end of the main gateway complex. The mosque and the rest house which is called 'Jawab' are two large buildings made of red sandstones that create a great contrast with the brightness of white marbles of the main building of Taj Mahal. Open to the sides of the tombs of Shah Jahan's other wives and Mumtaz's favorite servant, the mosque and the rest house can be said to be mirror images of each other. The building in the Western side is the mosque and to its bang opposite lies the 'Jawab' or the rest house.