Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal (تاج محل‎, taj mahal, ताजमहल, taajamahal) is a mausoleum made of ivory-white marble, located in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is one of the most famous monuments in India. It was built by Shah Jahan, the 5th emperor of the Mughal dynasty, to commemorate his second wife, the late Empress Mumtaz Mahal, and after his death, he was also buried there. Although the white marble dome mausoleum is the most recognizable part of the Taj Mahal, the entire Taj Mahal is a complex architectural ensemble with several buildings, including a grand entrance, courtyards, and a mosque, covering an area of 17 hectares.

The Taj Mahal is widely regarded as “the architecture of Indian Muslim culture,” and its design combines Indian and Persian architectural styles. It is considered one of the finest examples of Mughal architecture.

Construction of the Taj Mahal began around 1632 and was completed around 1653, involving thousands of craftsmen and costing a fortune. The design and construction of the Taj Mahal were entrusted to a team of architects, directed by Shah Jahan. The team included architects such as Mir Abd-ul Karim, Makramat Khan, and Ustad Ahmad Lahauri. Among them, the Persian architect Lahauri is generally considered the chief designer.

In 1983, UNESCO designated the Taj Mahal as a World Heritage site, calling it “a jewel of Muslim art in India” and “one of the most magnificent and awe-inspiring masterpieces in the World Heritage list.”