Taj Mahal

Muntaz Mahal was the favourite wife of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. When she died in 1631, after almost 20 years of marriage, the Shah remained in deep mourning for the rest of his life. To honour her memory he ordered the construction of a memorial building on the banks of the Junna River, in Agra, India. Today this building, the Taj Mahal, ranks among the most beautiful buildings of the world. It is one of the supreme accomplishments of the Mughal Empire. It has become a symbol to the rest of the world of the craftsmanship and artistic achievement of all of India. Photos of the Taj Mahal focus on architectural details, the seasons, the surrounding area, and visitors, and are accompanied by a description of how and why it was built.