Architecture·Later empires
Construction of the Taj Mahal Begins
- Date
- 1632 CE1042 AH394 years ago
- Place
- Agra, India
- People
- Shah Jahan, Mumtaz Mahal, Ustad Ahmad Lahauri
Shah Jahan, the Mughal emperor, ordered a mausoleum for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 1631 CE. Construction began in Agra in 1632 CE (1042 AH). Work continued for about twenty years and involved thousands of craftsmen from across Asia. The white marble tomb stands in a garden on the bank of the Yamuna River. Ustad Ahmad Lahauri is often credited with the design.
Why it matters
The Taj Mahal is one of the best-known examples of Mughal architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.