HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

In 1631, the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan commissioned the Taj Mahal to honor the memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who tragically died during childbirth. Heartbroken by her loss, Shah Jahan envisioned a monument that would eternally symbolize their love. Over two decades, thousands of artisans, craftsmen, and laborers from across the Mughal Empire and beyond worked to bring this vision to life. The finest materials from various regions of India and Asia were used, exemplifying the grandeur and opulence of Mughal architecture. On February 6, 1643, Shah Jahan inaugurated the mausoleum on the 12th anniversary of Mumtaz Mahal's death. The Taj Mahal complex, constructed at an estimated cost of ₹5 million at the time, would be worth approximately ₹35 billion (US$77.8 million) in 2023.