The Taj Mahal was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 1631
. Construction began in 1632 and was largely completed by 1648, with the entire complex finished around 1653
. The chief architect of the Taj Mahal was Ustad Ahmad Lahori, an Indian architect of Persian descent, who led a team of artisans and craftsmen from across the Mughal Empire and beyond, including specialists from Central Asia, Persia, and Europe
. Over 20,000 workers, including masons, stone-cutters, calligraphers, and painters, were involved in the construction
. The Taj Mahal is a masterpiece of Mughal architecture, combining elements of Indian, Persian, Ottoman, and Islamic styles, and is renowned for its intricate inlay work with precious and semi-precious stones
. The white marble used in the mausoleum came from Makrana in Rajasthan, and other materials were imported from various parts of the world
. In summary:
- Built by: Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan
- Built in memory of: Mumtaz Mahal
- Construction period: 1632 to around 1653
- Chief architect: Ustad Ahmad Lahori
- Workforce: Over 20,000 artisans and laborers from across the empire and abroad
