Denise Gammache, age 14, of Lancaster, Pa., For her question:

How long did it take to build the Taj Mahal?

The glimmering white Taj Mahal stands at Agra, near Delhi in India. It is one of the world's Ioveliest buildings and for more than 300 years visitors have gazed at it in silent wonder. The basic design of its marble arches and waxy white domes is Persian. The delicate patterns of inset gems was done by Hindu artists.

The Persian Moguls went into India in the 16th century. Shah Jehan was a Mogul ruler and his empress was called Taj Mahal, meaning Crown of the Palace. In 1631, the beloved queen died and Shah Jehan planned a building worthy of her memory. Gems and stones were brought from far away and the work on the building took about 20 years. The Taj Mahal is the tomb of Shah Hehan and the empress called Crown of the Palace.