Truth behind the Taj?

People have been talking a lot about the Taj these days. But this is nothing about the New Seven Wonders of the World.

I just happened to get a forward which says that TajMahal was an ancient Siva temple which was built even before the times of Shah Jahan. I thought it was one of those usual hoax mails. But out of curiosity, I did a little bit of googling and I felt that its a serious discussion which is still going on. Some data that were stated was interesting..

* How Taj Mahal was derived from 'Tejo Mahalaya'(Shiva's Palace)

* The writings of some visitors from Europe which indicates that Taj Mahal was there even before the time it was supposed to be built.

* The use of captured temples and mansions as a burial place for dead courtiers and royalty was a common practice among Muslim rulers


I don't know how to validate this information. But yes, I am extremely curious to know the truth. I wish I could open one of those 'supposedly' sealed rooms of the Taj Mahal, and have a peep inside. But curiosity killed the cat, did it not?



Courtesy: http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A5220

I am sure all of you know this..

What is the difference between the United Kingdom, Great Britain, and England?

But the fact is that I did not!
Yes, I am quite ignorant when it comes to general knowledge, I agree.

After coming here, I heard people using all these three names and I decided to find out the difference. When I searched and found this I am sure that many people are using it the wrong way, too. This is what I found.

The United Kingdom is a country that consists of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. In fact, the official name of the country is "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland."
Great Britain is the name of the island northwest of France and east of Ireland that consists of three somewhat autonomous regions: England, Wales and Scotland.
Therefore, England is part of Great Britain, which is part of the United Kingdom. The U.K. includes England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland are not countries but the United Kingdom is. The remaining portion of the island of Ireland (that which is not the U.K.'s Northern Ireland) is an independent country called the Republic of Ireland (Eire).

Courtesy: http://www.about.com/