The Taj Mahal - Agra

Think of Agra and you can visualize the world famous Taj Mahal, the eighth wonder of the World, built by the Mughal emperor Shahjahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. The various monuments within the Taj complex represent the amalgamation of different cultures that marked the Mughal period. The magnificent and exemplary edifice Taj Mahal in Agra is a remarkable monument depicting Mughal architecture.
The Architecture
The structure of Taj Mahal in India portrays the Islamic style (Mughal style) of architecture belonging to the medieval period. The Islamic style of architecture is well known as the Indo-Islamic style of architecture. The Taj Mahal in Agra located towards the far end of the enclosure of Char Bagh, near the bank of river Yamuna, also reflects the influence of Persian architecture.
Taj Mahal with a high base has four tapering minarets at each corner. At the center of this base is an octagonal structure comprising of a central hall, with four small halls grouped around it. The Taj Mahal is a two-storied structure, each having arched recesses with a highly decorated iwan in the middle. The tombs of Mumtaz Mahal and Shahjahan are actually located in the basement, while their replicas are kept above the same place in the upper hall.
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Made of white marble, the walls of Taj Mahal are decorated with exquisite pietra dura (stone inlay) work. In spite of its massive proportions, Taj Mahal looks light and airy. The Taj Mahal and the gardens facing it can be approached through an arched gateway. Each section of this building is an ideal construction with a perfect symmetry.