Fake Taj Mahal causes international stir

DHAKA, Bangladesh, Dec. 13 (UPI) -- India has objected to plans in Bangledesh to construct a life-size copy of the Taj Mahal.

The Indian embassy in Bangladesh could sue for copyright infringement, Sky News reported Saturday.

"You can't just go and copy historical monuments," said a spokesman at the Indian High Commission in Dhaka. "Someone will go out there and have a look. The reports we are reading say it is an exact replica."

The project, commissioned by movie director Ahsanullah Moni, will be about 20 miles north east of the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka.

Construction began five years ago. Moni reportedly has imported marble and granite from Italy and diamonds from Belgium.

"Everyone dreams about seeing the Taj Mahal but very few Bangladeshis can make the trip because it's too expensive for them," he was quoted as saying.

The original Taj Mahal was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died giving birth in 1631.