An immense funerary mosque of white marble, built in Agra between 1631 and 1648 by order of the Mogul emperor, Shah Jahan (died 1666 C.E.) in the memory of his dear wife and queen Mumtaz Mahal at Agra, India. Taj Mahal (meaning Crown Palace) is a Mausoleum that houses the grave of queen Mumtaz Mahal at the lower chamber. The grave of Shah Jahan was added to it later. In the tradition of the Mughals, important ladies of the royal family were given another name at their marriage or at some other significant event in their lives, and that new name was commonly used by the public. Shah Jahan's real name was Shahab-ud-din, and he was known as Prince Khurram before ascending to the throne in 1628.

The Taj stands on a raised, square platform (186 x 186 feet) with its four corners truncated, forming an unequal octagon. The architectural design uses the interlocking arabesque concept, in which each element stands on its own and perfectly integrates with the main structure. It uses the principles of self-replicating geometry and a symmetry of architectural elements.

Shah Jahan was India’s greatest ruler during the time of the Mughal Dynasty. He was even considered a greater ruler than his father. This man was a combination of great military, political, and administrative abilities; ingredients necessary for the success of any ruler. But most of all he had an artistic sense, renowned for enjoying the world for its magnificence. Shah Jahan was responsible for many of the great buildings in India.

The Taj Mahal is only one of his famous buildings, but the most remarkable and well known. This monument was a tribute to his beautiful wife and queen , Mumtaz Mahal. Their love towards one another was deep and true, and she was a very big part of her husbands life. Her death in 1630 devastated Shah Jahan, making his life seem empty. Years later, to put his mourning in concrete, he build a construction for his wife, taking nearly 22 years and 2000 workers to complete. This dream in marble today is a spectacular masterpiece, reflecting the Mughal style with a blend of careful harmony and intricate decorations. It is located in the city of Agra, where he moved after her death, near the Yamura River and part of ancient formal gardens.At ground level, in the very centre of the building is the cenotaph dedicated to Mumtaz. Sing in the inner shrine and the notes will float upwards in a presentiment of the music of the spheres.

This treasure is considered as one of the most beautiful buildings in the world, with a height of about 100 feet as a snowy white monument framed around a beautiful surrounding area. The Taj Mahal is only one of other incredible architectures of Shah Jahan, but the greatest.