Taj Mahal is one of the most popular monuments in the world, located in Agra, India. The ivory-white mausoleum built on the southern banks of river Yamuna was commissioned in 1632 by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. The structure stands as a symbol of love as it was built in the fond memory of Shah Jahan’s deceased wife Mumtaz Mahal. The tomb is the main attraction in the complex spread across 42 acres, which houses a mosque, guesthouse and expansive gardens.
The construction work took more than two decades and 20,000 workers and was one of the most extravagant projects in the world during that time, amounting to 1 billion dollars in today’s time. The monument, widely regarded as the best example of Mughal architecture used white marbles inlaid with semi-precious stones for intricate design works. The main structure is a large multi-chambered cube with four minarets framing the structure. There are false sarcophagi of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan in the main chamber with the actual tombs in the lower levels. The structure is truly an architectural marvel in every sense.
