Image: history.com
David T. Ball is a Dallas, Texas, resident who has had the opportunity to travel to destinations across the globe. Among the highlights of David T. Ball’s travels in the summer of 2015 was the Taj Mahal, which is a must-see on many travelers’ India itineraries.
Situated on the Yamuna River in Agra, the Taj Mahal was constructed in the 17th century over a period of two decades, as a mausoleum complex for Emperor Shah Jahan’s beloved deceased wife. Combining Persian, Indian, and Muslim influences, the uniquely beautiful structure is made from white marble that seems to change color depending on the specific rays of the sun and moon that hit it.
Like many historic structures in modern India, the Taj Mahal has come under threat from the insidious force of pollution. With an increasing number of factories and vehicular traffic in the area creating airborne pollution that threatened its facade, local anti-pollution laws have been in place since the early 1990s. These are designed to ensure the integrity of the UNESCO World Heritage site that draws approximately 3 million visitors annually.
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