Mughal emperor Shah Jahan commissioned the Taj Mahal in 1632 as a mausoleum for his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died in childbirth in 1631. Construction began in 1632 and was completed in 1648, with additional elements finished in 1653.
Ustad Ahmad Lahori was the main architect, but the Taj Mahal is thought to have been built by an international team of thousands of artisans.
We spent the night in Agra where the Taj Mahal is located. Our local guide was determined that we would be the first in line to enter. We arrived before 6 a.m. when the gates opened. Only a few people were ahead of us. We were able to take early morning photos with no people in the pictures.
The outside of the Taj Mahal is beautiful. Inside it’s plain, not very ornate.
My wife likes to take photos with buildings and towers poking out of my head. This photo is for her.
The crowds have arrived.
This website tells the full story of the Taj Mahal that matches what our guide told us, if you care to read about it – https://www.thoughtco.com/the-taj-mahal-1434536
In the afternoon we left Agra to go to Ranthambore National Park.
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