The Taj Mahal was commissioned by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for Mumtaz Mahal.
Construction began in Agra, India, around 1632, after Mumtaz Mahal died in 1631. The complex was developed over many years and is centered on a white-marble tomb beside the Yamuna River.
The monument combines Persian, Islamic, Indian and Ottoman architectural influences. Its central dome, four minarets, geometric gardens and inlaid stone decoration create the balanced appearance for which it is famous.
The Taj Mahal is also Shah Jahan’s burial place. It is often described simply as a symbol of romantic love, but it was also a dynastic monument expressing Mughal imperial power and artistic achievement. UNESCO added it to the World Heritage List in 1983.