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Taj Mahal History
One of the finest examples of Mughal architecture, a style that combines elements from Persian, Turkish, Indian, and Islamic architectural styles is The Taj Mahal.  The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum located in Agra, India and was constructed under Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Ustad Ahmad Lahauri is generally considered as the main designer of Taj Mahal. In 1631, Shah Jahan, emperor during the Mughal empire’s period of greatest prosperity, was griefstricken when his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal died. The construction of Taj Mahal begun shortly after Mumtaz’s death with the main mausoleum completed in 1648. The buildings around the garden were finished five years later. The Taj Mahal complex was completed in the year 1653.

In 1983, Taj Mahal became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 2008, it was named one of the new seven wonders of the world.

Taj Mahal Visitor Information
The Taj Mahal is open from 6:00 am to 7:30 pm. It is closed on Fridays, where it is open for Muslim prayer services. The complex is open for night viewing on the day of the full moon and two days before and after. For security reasons only five items - water in transparent bottles, small video cameras, still cameras, mobile phones and small ladies’ purses - are allowed inside the Taj Mahal.

The entry fee is Rs. 970 (Foreigners), Rs. 20 (Indians, during daytime), Rs. 110 (Indians, during sunrise and sunset)

You will find many, many, many people who try to offer their services as a guide there. Most of them are trying to cheat you and are scammers. While some have good knowledge of the structure, if you are looking for a guide, it is better to hire one before you get there as you will get a better rate and legitimate operator.

Highlights around the Taj Mahal to see include:

• Fatehpur Sikri- The imperial city of the Mughal dynasty between 1571 and 1584, Fatehpur Sikri was built by Mughal Emperor Akbar. The architectural grandeur of this city has to be experienced.
• Itmad-Ud Daulah - Itmad-ud daulah, one of the most beautiful of Mughal tombs, contains cenotaphs of Mirza Ghiyas and Asmat Begum, parents of the powerful Mughal Empress Nurjahan, queen of Jahangir.
• Agra Fort - The Agra Fort was bulit by Akbar in Red Sandstone. The fort worked both as a military strategic point as well as the royal residence. The Diwan - i - Am, the Diwan - i - Khas, the Khas Mahal, the Palace of Mirrors, the Pearl mosque, the Nagina Masjid, the Garden of Grapes, and the Fish Pavilion are the other monuments in the fort complex.
• Akbar’s Tomb - Sikandra/ Akbar’s tomb, 10 km north of Agra lies Akbar’s tomb, in Sikandra. Named after the Afghan ruler Sikander Lodi, Sikandra is the final resting place of Emperor Akbar.

Taj Mahal Conservation Efforts

In the past, repeated efforts have been made both at the government and private sector levels to foster contemporary cultural life as well as to preserve the rich cultural legacy. The National Culture Fund (NCF) was established as a Trust in November 1996 in the Department of Culture, which has become an effective instrument for private participation in preservation of cultural heritage.

The group will be responsible for commissioning a professional agency to prepare a feasibility report on the conservation, beautification, restoration of the monument and the surrounding areas. The tasks include river water treatment, development of the garden and ambiance, development of Mughal Garden, restructuring of the existing museum, conservation of the damaged stones at the Taj Mahal, conservation and preservation of the back wall of the Taj Mahal, conservation and preservation of the eastern side wall of the Taj Mahal, restoration of the missing inlay pieces in the Taj Mahal and the main entrance of the monument.

One of the biggest problems the Taj Mahal faces is pollution. India has such poor air quality that acid rain and chemicals in the air are eroding and staining the white marble of the Taj Mahal. Unless something is done to solve this problem, within a decade, much of the marble will be gone.