Construction of the Taj Mahal
When his favorite wife Mumtaz Mahal dies in childbirth in 1631, Emperor Shah Jahan orders construction of an elaborate white marble mausoleum on the banks of the Yamuna river at Agra. Some 20,000 artisans work for 22 years to complete the complex, which combines Persian, Islamic, and Indian architectural styles. The main dome reaches 73 meters; the surrounding gardens follow the Persian chahar bagh (four-garden) plan. The monument's perfect symmetry and use of pietra dura inlay work represent the apex of Mughal decorative arts. Shah Jahan is later imprisoned by his son Aurangzeb and buried beside Mumtaz in the Taj.
- Year: 1632 CE
- Category: Architecture
