Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal who died after giving birth to their 14th child. The court chronicles of Shah Jahan’s grief illustrate the love story traditionally held as an inspiration for Taj Mahal.

It took thousands workers from all over the world 21 years to build.  A year after it’s completion Shah Jahan was forced off the thrown by his son Aurangzeb and imprisoned at nearby Agra Fort where he had a view of the Taj. After his death he was laid to rest next to Mumtaz in the Taj Mahal.