India Early Modern Built: 1632–1653 UNESCO

Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal is an ivory-white marble mausoleum on the south bank of the Yamuna river in Agra, India. Commissioned in 1632 by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died in childbirth, it took over 20 years and 20,000 workers to complete. It is widely considered the finest example of Mughal architecture and one of the most beautiful buildings in the world.

Site View & Location

Taj Mahal

India

Longitude: 78.04

Latitude: 27.17

Historical Significance

The Taj Mahal represents the pinnacle of Mughal art and architecture, blending Persian, Islamic, and Indian styles into a unified masterpiece. It stands as a testament to love, imperial power, and craftsmanship. Its perfect symmetry, intricate inlay work, and changing appearance with the light of day have made it one of the most recognised and admired structures in human history.

Facts

Fact 1

A Monument to Love

Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal as a mausoleum for his third and favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 1631 giving birth to their 14th child.

Fact 2

20,000 Artisans

Construction required over 20,000 workers including architects, calligraphers, stonecutters, and inlay artists from across Asia and the Middle East.

Fact 3

Changing Colours

The marble changes colour throughout the day — pinkish at dawn, white in the afternoon, and golden under moonlight — due to its translucent quality.

Fact 4

Perfectly Symmetrical

The entire complex is laid out with strict bilateral symmetry, with the mausoleum, mosque, guest house, and gardens all mirroring each other across a central axis.

Fact 5

Precious Stone Inlay

The marble is inlaid with 28 types of precious and semi-precious stones including lapis lazuli, jade, crystal, turquoise, and amethyst, imported from across Asia.

Fact 6

Shah Jahan's Imprisonment

Shah Jahan was later imprisoned by his own son Aurangzeb in Agra Fort, where he could see the Taj Mahal from his window until his death in 1666.