Taj Mahal Completed
Construction of the Taj Mahal in Agra was completed by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan
January 01, 1653
Built as a Monument to Love
The Taj Mahal was completed around 1653 in Agra, India, by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 1631 while giving birth to their 14th child. Grief-stricken by her death, Shah Jahan commissioned the construction of the most magnificent tomb the world had ever seen. The project employed approximately 20,000 workers and craftsmen — including architects, calligraphers, stone-cutters, and inlay artists — drawn from across Central Asia, Persia, and the Indian subcontinent. The main structure took about 12 years to complete, with the surrounding gardens, mosque, and guest house adding several more years.
A Marvel of Architecture
The Taj Mahal is widely considered the finest example of Mughal architecture, a style that blends elements of Islamic, Persian, Ottoman, and Indian design. The central dome rises 240 feet above the base and is surrounded by four smaller domes. The entire structure is faced with white marble inlaid with precious and semi-precious stones in intricate floral and geometric patterns. As the light changes throughout the day, the marble shifts in color — appearing pink at dawn, brilliant white at midday, and golden in the evening. The building is perfectly symmetrical from multiple angles and is set at the end of a long reflecting pool that mirrors its image in the water.
A World Heritage Site
The Taj Mahal was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and is recognized as one of the seven wonders of the modern world. It attracts millions of visitors from around the globe every year and is considered the jewel of Mughal-era architecture. Shah Jahan was later overthrown and imprisoned by his son Aurangzeb, and he spent his final years gazing at the Taj Mahal from a window in the Agra Fort across the river — a poignant final chapter to the story behind one of humanity's greatest buildings. The Taj Mahal endures as a testament to the power of grief, love, and creative ambition to produce something transcendent. Use our countdown tool to plan your own visit.