The Taj Mahal is an ivory-white marble mausoleum with minarets, a mosque and beautiful formal symmetrical gardens. It is located on the south bank of River Yamuna in Agra, India. It was commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, and was completed in its entirety by 1653.
Why it is special: UNESCO World Heritage Site considers the Taj Mahal a ‘Jewel of Muslim art in India and a universally admired masterpiece of the world’s heritage’. It is considered to be a beautiful example of traditional Persian and Hindu designs with the finest Mughal architectural influences. Beautiful inscriptions from the Quran running throughout the structure, artfully laid-out planned gardens that add depth to the Taj Mahal, the majestic main gate in the centre of the southern wall and the delicately inlaid beautiful marble lattice that surrounds the cenotaph of Mumtaz Mahal, all add to the allure and charm of the Taj Mahal. Translated from Persian as ‘The Crown of Palaces’, the Taj Mahal is considered the epitome of love, as it was built by a grief-stricken king in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died giving birth to their 14th child.
