The Mughal emperor Shah Jahan constructed the exquisite Taj Mahal, a white marble monument, in Agra, India, as a memorial to his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal's construction was finished in 1648, having started in 1632. It is regarded as one of the most exquisite structures on Earth and is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Tradition and Significance: Love and devotion are represented by the Taj Mahal. It is an important architectural and cultural landmark that captures the essence of India's rich cultural past. It is also significant in Islamic architecture because of the calligraphy and complex geometric designs it uses.

Why Is It Famous: The Taj Mahal is well-known for its exquisite craftsmanship and magnificent architecture. It is a masterpiece of Mughal architecture with its graceful design, symmetrical arrangement, and superb decoration, which includes delicate inlay work and complex carvings employing precious and semi-precious stones. In addition, the monument is also known for its romantic past, which symbolises Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan's unending love.

Construction history: The complex's designs have been credited to a number of historical architects, although Ustad Aḥmad Lahawri, an Indian with Persian ancestry, was most likely the principal designer. The main gateway, garden, mosque, jawāb (literally, "answer"; a building mirroring the mosque), and mausoleum (including its four minarets) are the five principal elements of the complex. They were conceived and designed as a unified entity in accordance with the principles of Mughal building practice, which forbade any later additions or alterations. Construction started in 1632. The mausoleum itself was constructed by around 1638–1639 thanks to the labour of almost 20,000 artisans hired from India, Persia, the Ottoman Empire, and Europe; the auxiliary buildings were completed by 1643, and decorative work went on until at least 1647. In total, construction of the 42-acre (17-hectare) complex spanned 22 years.

Tomb: Shah Jahan's and his favourite wife Mumtaz Mahal's tombs are located in the white marble mausoleum, which is the main attraction of the Taj Mahal. The mausoleum has a square design, with four smaller domes encircling the big dome on top. Precious gemstones and fine carvings adorn it in an exquisite manner.

Exterior Decorations: The Taj Mahal's exterior is embellished with ornate decorative embellishments. The exterior is decorated with elegant floral arrangements created from rare and semi-precious stones, elaborate geometric patterns, and Quranic calligraphy. The structure gains depth and elegance from the exquisitely carved marble, which gives the impression of three dimensions.

Interior Decoration: The Taj Mahal's walls are richly decorated with semi-precious stones inlaid into marble, floral designs, and delicate carvings. The elaborate designs and superb craftsmanship of the inner chambers are well-known. Moreover, the cenotaphs of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan are beautifully adorned with sculptures and inlaid diamonds.

Garden: A Persian-style garden called a charbagh surrounds the Taj Mahal and is split into four quadrants by water canals. The garden's layout follows an exact geometric plan and is intended to represent paradise. It has fountains, lovely green lawns, and a variety of trees and flowers. The Taj Mahal's splendour is enhanced and a breathtaking visual impression is produced by the reflection pools.

Outlying Buildings: A guesthouse and a mosque are two of the outlying structures that surround the Taj Mahal complex. The mosque and the Taj Mahal are situated to the west of each other and have comparable architectural features. Despite not being used for religious reasons, the guesthouse, also known as the jawab (response), is situated to the east and acts as a symmetrical counterpoint to the mosque.

Shah Jahan reportedly had plans to construct a second tomb on the other side of the river to hold his bones. It was planned for the building to be made of black marble and to be connected to the Taj Mahal via a bridge. However, his son Aurangzeb overthrew him in 1658, and he spent the remainder of his life behind bars in Agra Fort.

Interesting Details and Other Facts

• - The Taj Mahal appears pinkish in the morning, milky white in the evening, and golden in the moonlight, depending on the time of day. 
• - The Taj Mahal's four minarets are angled slightly outward. The main tomb would not be harmed by the minarets falling away from it in the event of an earthquake because of the use of this architectural approach. 
• - A mosque and a guest house, both constructed of red sandstone and embellished with the same elaborate details as the main mausoleum, are part of the Taj Mahal complex.
• - When building the Taj Mahal, almost 20,000 artists and craftspeople from all over the world contributed to the project.

Why Does It Matter? 

Presently: The Taj Mahal is still a popular tourist destination, bringing in millions of tourists annually. It is a source of great pride for the country and makes a substantial contribution to India's tourism sector. It also serves as a reminder of the eternal power of love and has come to represent India's rich cultural past.

The Taj Mahal has gained international recognition and is a popular picture of India, serving as a symbol of the country due to its millions of visitors and widespread media coverage.  There are lots of tourists that come to see the Taj Mahal. More than 2 million visitors were recorded by UNESCO in 2001, and that number rose to over 7-8 million in 2014. A three-tier pricing system is in place, with a significantly lower entrance fee for Indian citizens and more expensive ones for foreigners.