INDIA CROSSING THE RIVER GANGES The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum complex built by Shah Jahan (reg. 1628 - 1658) in memory of his favorite wife; Arjumand Banu Begam (d.1631); better known by her title "Mumtaz Mahal; or ; the exalted one of the palace." The complex was planned on the basis of a unit called a gaz; approximately 32 inches (81.28 cm). Multiples of this "gaz" unit were used throughout the Taj Mahal complex. Overall; the complex is organized in 3 linearly arranged modular squares; each measuring 374 gaz per side; or 374 gaz wide by 1; 122 gaz long. The caravanserai (Taj Ganj) and entry forecourt (jilaukhana) areas are organized on a module of 17 gaz; whereas in the area from the entry gate (darwaza-i rauza) to the riverfront terrace; the complex follows a 23-gaz module. This 17-gaz jilaukhana module multiplied by 22= 74 gaz (the width of the complex). The caravanserai measures 416.5 gaz in length; or 17 x 24.5 gaz; and the jilaukhana measures 153 gaz; or 17 x 9 gaz. The garden is further divided into 23 x 16 gaz; and the riverfront terrace measures 138 by 23 x 6 gaz. These gaz modules lend themselves to an axial arrangement; with a cascading hierarchy: each building in the complex is further organized on a smaller grid based on the gaz module. For example; the mosque; mausoleum and mihmankhana are based on a 7-gaz grid; while the great gate (darwaza-i rauza) is based on a 3-gaz grid. This grid functions not only in plan; but also in elevation.