Over 20,000 workers and 1000 elephants were utilised for this huge construction with materials sourced from far and wide: white marble from Rajasthan, jade and crystal from China, jasper from Punjab, lapis lazuli from Afghanistan, carnelian from Arabia, turquoise from Tibet and sapphire from Sri Lanka. In total 28 types of precious and semi-precious gems were set into the white marble. 

The actual tomb is situated on a square plinth contained within a symmetrical building. There is an arch shaped doorway with a large dome atop. The main chamber contains the sarcophagi of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan although their actual remains are at a lower level. Muslim tradition does not allow for intricate design of graves, so the couple rest side by side in a reasonably plain crypt, both with their faces turned towards Mecca.