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Why did Shah Jahan build the Taj Mahal in Agra?

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Map highlighting the state of Uttar Pradesh in northern India in orange, with its capital Lucknow marked. Surrounding countries including Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, China, and others are shown in gray, providing regional context within South Asia.
Uttar Pradesh

The Mughal emperor Shah Jahan commissioned the Taj Mahal in Agra as a magnificent mausoleum to serve as a memorial for his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal.12

Mumtaz Mahal, who had been the emperor's inseparable companion since their marriage in 1612, died in 1631 while giving birth to their 14th child. Following her death, Shah Jahan—who possessed a profound passion for architecture—ordered the construction of the monument to honor her memory. The Taj Mahal, which stands as a masterpiece of Mughal architecture, serves as both her final resting place and an enduring symbol of the emperor's grief and love. Construction began in January 1632, shortly after her body was transferred to Agra.1324