The

History

The Taj Mahal was built in the middles ages around 1631 during the Mughal dynasty. It is a Makrana marble tomb built in Agra, India by Shah Jehan, the fifth Mughal emperor, for his second wife, Arjuman Banu Begum, also known as Mumtaz Mahal. These two lovers were inseparable and she often went on Shah's long journeys. Mumtaz died in 1630 and he was so grief stricken that he decided he wanted his wife's memory to live forever and decided to build the finest sculpture ever. The Taj Mahal became a monument of their eternal love. It took twenty-two years to complete with the combined effort of over twenty thousand workmen and master craftsmen.

Shah Jehan   Mumtaz Mahal

This white marble tomb is an excellent example of Islamic architecture but many other styles are included. Many Turkish and Persian styles are seen in this tomb. The thick walls, corbelled arches, and heavy lintels are from the Hindu architecture. One of the rulers, Aurangzeb, established what is called the Mughal Style, which is a style which blended Persian patterns brought by the Mughals with the indigenous genius for fine craftsmanship.

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