The Craftsmanship: The seventeenth century saw a marked decline in the use of red sandstone and pale cream marble in Mughal buildings. Instead, Shah Jahan's reign saw the purest white marble inlaid with exquisite pietra dura work, gain favour with the architects. Records testify to the fact that the white marble came from Rajasthan, yellow from the banks of R. Narmada, crystal from China, lapis lazuli from Sri Lanka and other precious stone from the middle east.In the fineness of carving and inlay work, the Taj has no competition. It is said that the quality of pietra dura work is such that one can pass a needle over it without jerking the hand even the slightest bit. The most delicate designs and inscriptions have been incorporated in the main structure and the screens. Such is the craftsmanship that in many places more than 48 shades of the same colour have been used in creating the flower petals, leaves and the tendrils!Truly, the Taj Mahal might as well have been designed as an abode for heavenly creatures. Mere words and pictures can never do justice to one of the architectural wonders of the world.