The Taj Mahal in Agra is a white marble mausoleum built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 1631. Work began in 1632, the main tomb was completed around 1648, and the whole complex around 1653. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Commissioned by | Emperor Shah Jahan |
| In memory of | Mumtaz Mahal (died 17 June 1631) |
| Chief architect | Ustad Ahmad Lahori (credited as head of the design board) |
| Construction | 1632 to about 1648 (tomb); complex finished around 1653 |
| Material | White Makrana marble, with red sandstone for other buildings |
| Complex area | About 17 hectares |
| UNESCO | World Heritage Site since 1983 |
| Weekly closure | Closed on Fridays (Friday prayers; check official site) |
The love story behind the monument
Mumtaz Mahal, whose birth name was Arjumand Banu Begum, was Shah Jahan’s favourite wife and companion. She died on 17 June 1631 in Burhanpur while giving birth to their 14th child. Shah Jahan was devastated, and he decided to build a tomb of unmatched beauty beside the Yamuna river in Agra. Her body was first buried in Burhanpur and later moved to Agra.
Construction
Work began in 1632. Historians commonly say more than 20,000 workers and craftsmen took part, from different parts of India and Central Asia, along with elephants for hauling heavy loads. Exact numbers, costs and the identity of every craftsman are not firmly known, and stories you may hear, such as the hands of workers being cut off, have no reliable evidence behind them.
The white marble came from Makrana in Rajasthan, and semi-precious stones from various regions were used for the inlay work (pietra dura). Calligraphy from the Quran runs around the main arches. The tomb stands on a raised platform, with four slender minarets at the corners that lean slightly outwards, a design thought to protect the tomb if they ever fell.
Layout of the complex
- Darwaza-i-Rauza (Main Gateway): a grand red sandstone gate with inscriptions.
- Charbagh garden: a Persian-style garden quartered by water channels.
- Main mausoleum: central dome roughly 23 metres tall on a high plinth, with the cenotaphs of Mumtaz and Shah Jahan inside (the real graves are in a lower chamber).
- Mosque and Mehman Khana (guest house): on either side of the tomb, in red sandstone.
- Yamuna riverfront: the monument faces the river, and across it lies Mehtab Bagh, a good place for a view.
Shah Jahan’s last years
In 1658 Shah Jahan’s son Aurangzeb took the throne after a struggle for succession and confined his father in Agra Fort. Shah Jahan is said to have spent his last years gazing at the Taj from there. He died in 1666 and was buried next to Mumtaz Mahal, which is why the symmetry of the tomb chamber is slightly broken by his cenotaph.
A popular legend says Shah Jahan planned a black marble twin across the river. Historians treat this as unproven.
Challenges: pollution and conservation
Air pollution, insects from the Yamuna and acid-causing emissions have turned parts of the marble yellowish. The government has set up a protected zone called the Taj Trapezium Zone with controls on industries and vehicles. The Archaeological Survey of India uses cleaning treatments such as mud packs and has repaired broken marble pieces. The main concerns are air quality and the river’s condition.
Visiting the Taj Mahal
- Open days: every day except Friday, generally from sunrise to sunset. Night viewing of the Taj on selected full-moon days has been offered in the past, so check availability.
- Tickets: available online via the official ASI portal, with different rates for Indians and foreign visitors, and extra charges for entry to the main mausoleum. Please check the official site for current prices (last checked October 2026; we could not confirm them).
- Best season: October to March, though winter mornings can be foggy.
- Sunrise visit: less crowded and softer light for photos.
- Security rules: tripods, food, large bags and some electronics are not allowed.
- Nearby: Agra Fort, Mehtab Bagh, Itimad-ud-Daulah’s tomb and Fatehpur Sikri.
Taj Mahal timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 17 June 1631 | Mumtaz Mahal dies |
| 1632 | Construction begins |
| 1648 | Main mausoleum completed |
| About 1653 | Entire complex completed |
| 1658 | Aurangzeb takes the throne; Shah Jahan confined in Agra Fort |
| 1666 | Shah Jahan dies and is buried beside Mumtaz |
| 1983 | UNESCO World Heritage Site |
Architectural features worth noticing
The Taj is designed to look perfectly balanced. The tomb is placed at the end of the garden, not at the centre, so that you see it across the water channel. As you walk closer, the dome appears to change size and the building seems to float above the platform. The calligraphy on the main arch is arranged so that letters appear to be the same size from the ground, with the upper letters made larger to correct the effect of distance. The marble also changes colour with the light, looking pinkish at dawn, white at noon and golden at sunset.
Myths to ignore
- No reliable evidence supports the story that the workers’ hands were cut off.
- The black Taj across the river is a story, not a proven plan.
- The claim that the Taj is a former temple has been examined and rejected in Indian courts and by mainstream historians; the historical record, including Mughal court documents, supports Shah Jahan as the builder.
Conclusion
The Taj Mahal is both a work of art and a human story of love and loss. Learning its history, including the true facts and the myths, makes the visit far richer. Give it at least two to three hours and go early.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who built the Taj Mahal and why?
Shah Jahan built it as a tomb for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 1631.
How long did it take to build the Taj Mahal?
The main tomb took about 16 years (1632 to 1648), and the full complex was done around 1653.
Who designed the Taj Mahal?
Ustad Ahmad Lahori is credited as the chief architect leading a board of designers.
Why is the Taj Mahal closed on Friday?
It is closed for regular visitors on Fridays because of prayers at the mosque inside the complex.
Is the Taj Mahal a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
Yes, it was inscribed in 1983.
