t was then placed inside the Taj Mahal beside his beloved wife.
             In order to discuss the fusion of Hindu and Islamic styles of architecture, we must first examine the worldviews of Hinduism and Islam. In the Hindu religion, there is only one divine power that can be seen in innumerable forms. Three of the most important forms are Brahma (creator), Vishnu (defender & sustainer), and Shiva (destroyer). According to Holy Scriptures, man is reborn in higher (human beings) or lower forms (animals) based on their actions in their previous lives.
             In Islam, Allah is the Supreme Being. He is indivisible and has no equals. He is the lawgiver for the whole world, not only human beings but rather animals and other creatures as well. According to the Qu'ran, when a person dies, the individual waits for the judgement day. If he/she has lived his life according to Allah's will, they are permitted to enter paradise.
             The surroundings of the Taj Mahal consist of woodlands, the Jamuna river, and the red fort (the place where Shah Jahan had spent the last years of his life). In other words, the main feature of the environment is the Taj complex (see Figure 1 for plan). As we approach the Taj Mahal complex from afar, it seems as though the mausoleum begins to grow. The sky functions as a background and the Taj Mahal appears to be soaring into the sky (See Figure 2). Furthermore, depending on the time of day, the body of the mausoleum appears to be changing hues (See Figure 3). As you enter the open square entrance, it appears as though the Taj Mahal has disappeared. The Taj gateway was completed in the year 1648 and is about 100 feet high (See Figure 4). Built with red sandstone, the main feature of the structure is a gigantic central arch. The shapes of the arches in the corridors are of a typical Vedic style. Furthermore, the two octagonal copulas are also Hindu symbols since only Hindus have names and celestial guards for each of the ei...