Archaeological excavations in the Mehtab Bagh site have been described as "setting new archaeological stan-

dards for Mughal garden research", using paleobotanical and excavations techniques. Excavations to the extent [12]

of 90,000 cubic metres of earth, were carried out by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), in 1994. The exca-
vations unearthed a large octagonal tank with 25 fountains, and a garden, divided into four compartments. Mumtaz
Mahal's tomb was found to be situated halfway between the Taj Mahal complex's main entrance and the ends of
the Mehtab Bagh site. This is corroborated by a letter from Aurangzeb addressed to Shah Jahan in which he re-
[2]

ferred to the condition of the garden after the flood event in 1652 AD.
Black Taj Mahal[edit]
Main article: Black Taj Mahal
The Black Taj Mahal is a legendary black marble mausoleum that is said to have been planned to be built across
the Yamuna River opposite the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. Mughal emperor Shah Jahan is said to
have desired a mausoleum for himself exactly to that of the one he had built in memory of his second wife, Mum-
taz Mahal. but built entirely out of Black Marble. . But Shah Jahan was not able to complete it as he was
[14][unreliable source?]

put under house arrest by his son Aurangzeb in the Agra Fort. Shah Jahan died in 1666 and his son, Aurangzeb
planned to bury his father's body in the Taj Mahal next to Shah Jahan's wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The site for the Black
Taj Mahal was converted into the Mehtab Bagh.
References[edit]
1. ^ "Ticketed Monuments, Uttar Pradesh, Mehtab Bagh". Archaeological Survey of India. Archived from the original on 21 May 2012.
Retrieved 16 October 2012.
2. ^ Jump up to:a b c d e f g h i j Avijit, Anshul (7 August 2000). "Nursery of History: The ASI's efforts to restore the Taj Mahal's fabulous me-
dieval garden are bearing fruit". India Today Weekly Magazine. Archived from the original on 24 November 2010. Retrieved 16 Octo-
ber 2012.
3. ^ Jump up to:a b "Places of Interest". Mehtab Bagh. Official website of the Government of Uttar Pradesh, Department of Tourism.
Archived from the original on 8 October 2012. Retrieved 16 October 2012.
4. ^ Jump up to:a b c d "ANNEXURE Il GARDENS A. Mahtab Bagh A Development Plan". Archaeological Survey of India. 1996. pp. 16,
17, 23. Retrieved 18 October 2012.
5. ^ Jump up to:a b "Mehtab Bagh". Lonely Planet. Retrieved 16 October 2012.
6. ^ Stuart, David (1 September 2004). Classic Garden Plans. Frances Lincoln Ltd. p. 33. ISBN 978-0-7112-2386-8. Retrieved 18 Octo-
ber 2012.
7. ^ Grewal, Royina (1 January 2008). In the Shadow of the Taj: A Portrait of Agra. Penguin Books India. p. 237. ISBN 978-0-14-
310265-6. Retrieved 18 October 2012.
8. ^ Singh, Sarina (1 September 2009). India. Lonely Planet. p. 409. ISBN 978-1-74179-151-8. Retrieved 18 October 2012.
9. ^ Muqarnas. BRILL. 1997. p. 160. ISBN 978-90-04-10872-1. Retrieved 18 October 2012.
10. ^ Thomas, Gavin (1 October 2010). The Rough Guide to Rajasthan, Delhi & Agra. Rough Guides Limited. p. 162. ISBN 978-1-84836-
555-1. Retrieved 18 October 2012.
11. ^ Leoshko, Janice (2002). "Book review - The Moonlight Garden: New Discoveries at the Taj Mahal". Persimmon - Asian Literature,
Arts and Culture. p. 1. Retrieved 2 March 2007.
12. ^ Jump up to:a b Conan, Michel (1999). Perspectives on Garden Histories. Dumbarton Oaks. pp. 124–. ISBN 978-0-88402-269-5. Re-
trieved 17 October 2012.
13. ^ Agrawal, S. P. (1 January 1999). Information India: 1996-97: Global View. Concept Publishing Company. p. 161. ISBN 978-81-
7022-786-1. Retrieved 18 October 2012.
14. ^ "Black Taj Mahal Myth". Retrieved 11 June 2013.

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