Agra is renowned as being dwelling to one of the Seven Wonders of the World-the Taj Mahal. Since the 17th century, travelers have crossed continents to come and see this unexceptional symbol of love, and few have been unmoved by its unparalleled gorgeousness. The history of the Taj Mahal is one of the great love stories of the world.The Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan ruled (1628 -1658) and was married to Arjumand Bano Begum in 1612 A.D. He called his wife Mumtaz Mahal or Crown of the Palace, because she was so beloved to him. Mumtaz Mahal died in 1631. Her dying wish to Shah Jahan was that he should "build a tomb in her memory such as the world had never seen before." The history of the Taj Mahal begins with Mumtaz Mahal's tragic end. Shah Jahan fulfilled her wish, creating the most beautiful mausoleum the world had ever seen. Shah Jahan was deposed by his son Aurangzeb. After Shah Jahan's death in 1666 A.D., he too was laid to rest beside his beloved Mumtaz Mahal. Their real tombs are in a basement of the Taj Mahal. The history of the Taj Mahal is the history of the steadfast love of a Mughal Emperor for his Queen.
                                                                   
Construction:-
Taj Mahal was constructed over a period of twenty-two years, employing twenty thousand workers. It stands on a raised, square platform (186 x 186 feet) with its four corners truncated, forming an unequal octagon.
The architectural complex of the Taj Mahal comprises of five main elements: the Darwaza or main gateway, the Bageecha or garden, the Masjid or mosque, the Naqqar Khana or rest house, and the Rauza or the Taj Mahal mausoleum. The actual Tomb of Mumtaz is situated inside the Taj. The unique Mughal style architecture combines elements & styles of Persian, Central Asian, and Islamic architecture. Most striking are the black and white chessboard marble floor, the four tall minarets (40 m high) at the corners of the structure, and the majestic grand dome in the middle. On closer inspection, the lettering of the Holy Quran verses around the archways appears to be uniform. The lettering spacing and density has been customized to give this impression to the viewer. The impressive pietra dura artwork includes geometric elements & style, plants & flowers, which are common in Islamic architecture. The level of sophistication in artwork includes a 3 cm decorative element containing more than 50 inlaid gemstones.

Population: 1,400,000 (2001)
Altitude: 80.71 mtrs. Above sea level
Season: October – March
Clothing: Summer - Cottons; winters – Woolens
Language: Hindi and English
Local Transport: Buses, Cycle-rickshaws, Auto-rickshaws
Area: 73.89 sq. km
Climate: (deg C)-summer- Max.45, Min.21.9; Winter- Max.31.7, Min.4.2. Rainfall: 66 cms (June to September),
Area: 120.57 sq km