Taj Mahal History At a glance
Built by : Mughal Empror Shah Jahan
Built for : Mumtaz Mahal
Years of Construction : 1631 A.D to 1654 A.D.
Total Workforce : 20,000
Total Construction cost : 32 million rupees, approximately 68,000 US dollar.


Taj Mahal - A symbol of eternal love
Taj Mahal, the beautiful white marble monument stands in Agra, in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. The history of Taj Mahal is one of the most popular love stories in the world. In fact, the history of this monument begins with the tragic end of Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal (Arjumand Bano Begum), who won the heart of the emperor. For centuries, the Taj Mahal has been a source of inspiration for poets, painters and musicians. Regraded as one of the finest examples of Mughal architecture in India, the Taj Mahal is also one of the most flawless architectural splendours of the world. Since its creation in the 17th century, travellers from all over the world throng the Taj Mahal to see this ultimate memorial of love.

The royal saga of love
Young prince Khurram (Shah Jahan) met Arjumand Bano Begam in 1607 A.D. The prince presented his love story before his father Emperor Jahangir and eventually married to Arjumand Bano Begum in 1612. At the time of their marriage Prince Khurram was 20 yrs old and Arjumand Bano was 19 yrs. In the year 1628, Khurram became king after a bloody battle of succession and took the name Shah Jahan. Arjumand Bano Begum stayed loyally by his side through good and bad times, and the king showered his beloved begum with the title of Mumtaz Mahal.

Death of Mumtaz Mahal
Emperor Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal shared 19 years of happy marriage. In 1631, Shah Jahan went on an expedition to Deccan, as usual Mumtaz Mahal accompanied his husband. But Mumtaz Mahal died at Burhanpur shortly after giving birth to her 14th child.

Shah Jahan fulfilled the wish of Mumtaz Mahal
When Mumtaz Mahal was alive she took the promise from her husband, that he would build a monument in her memory, such as the world had never seen before. Shah Jahan fulfilled the dying wish of his beloved wife by erecting a memorial to his queen.

Death of Shah Jahan
Just after the completion of Taj Mahal, Shah Jahan was deposed by his son Aurangzeb. The emperor spent the last years of his life under house arrest in the Agra Fort. Shah Jahan used to spend his time by gazing Taj Mahal through the window of the fort. After his death in 1666 A.D. he was also buried in Taj Mahal beside his wife Mumtaz Mahal.

UNESCO World Heritage Site
Taj Mahal was designated a World Heritage Site in the year 1983.
Construction of the Taj Mahal
Construction of Taj began in 1631 and completed in the year 1653. Around 20,000 workers and skilled craftsmen worked laboriously to give shape to the passionate dream of Shah Jahan. Apart from India, skilled architects, inlay craftsmen, calligraphers, stone-carves and masons were brought from Persia and Turkey. Materials were brought from all over India and Central India. Agates came from Yemen, the coral came from Arabia, the granets were brought from Bundelkhand, onyx and amethyst from Persia. In addition to white marble, 28 varied type of precious and semi-precious stones were used.

Architect & designers of Taj Mahal
Ustad Isa or Ustad Ahmad Lahauri from Baghdad was the master architect, who was the renowned Islamic architect of his time. Amanat Khan Shirazi was the calligrapher, while Poet designed the verses on the tombstone. Ismail Afridi from Turkey was dome maker and Mohd. Hanif was the superintendent of masons.