The tale of love and loss that supposedly sparked the existence of the Taj Mahal ( literally, the Crown Palace) sometimes seems as incredible as the monument’s beauty. It is said that Shah Jahan fell in love with his favorite wife, Arjuman Banu, at first sight, and went on to revere her for her generosity, intelligence, and the 14 children she bore. She became his mumtaz mahal and her love for him was apparently just as great—on her deathbed, or so the legend goes, she begged the king to build a monument so beautiful that the world would never forget their love. Five months later, a huge procession brought Mumtaz Mahal’s body to Agra, where Shah Jahan began the process of honoring her request