Taj Mahal History

The Taj Mahal is one of the world’s most famous monuments and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 1631 while giving birth to their 14th child.

Construction of the Taj Mahal began in 1632 and took around 22 years to complete, with the main mausoleum finished in 1648 and the surrounding gardens, mosque, guest house, and other structures completed by 1653. More than 20,000 skilled artisans, craftsmen, and laborers worked on the project under the supervision of master architects from across the Mughal Empire.

Built entirely from white Makrana marble, the Taj Mahal is renowned for its perfect symmetry, intricate marble inlay work, calligraphy, and stunning Mughal architecture that blends Persian, Islamic, and Indian styles. Precious and semi-precious stones such as jade, turquoise, lapis lazuli, and carnelian were used to decorate the monument.

Today, the Taj Mahal stands as an enduring symbol of eternal love and architectural brilliance. Millions of visitors from around the world travel to Agra each year to admire its beauty, especially at sunrise and sunset when the marble changes color with the light. It remains one of India’s greatest cultural treasures and is recognized as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.