Taj Mahal

Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India

A white marble mausoleum built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal — widely regarded as one of the most beautiful buildings ever constructed.

Historical Context

Shah Jahan (r. 1628–1658) commissioned the Taj Mahal after the death of his wife Mumtaz Mahal during the birth of their 14th child in 1631. Construction involved over 20,000 workers and artisans drawn from across the Mughal Empire and beyond, including calligraphers from Syria and stonecutters from Balochistan. The complex includes the mausoleum, a mosque, a guest house, formal gardens, and a reflecting pool aligned on a central axis. Shah Jahan was later deposed by his son Aurangzeb and spent his final years imprisoned in Agra Fort, reportedly gazing at the Taj Mahal across the Yamuna River.