The Taj Mahal was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his much loved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Construction began in 1632 and it eventually completed in 1653. It was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 for being "the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage".The Taj Mahal attracts 7–8 million visitors a year and in 2007, it was declared a winner of the New 7 Wonders of the World (2000–2007) initiative.
 
"On my first visit in 1968 I took the train with the two friends I had been travelling with down to Agra to see the Taj Mahal, without any doubt one of the most beautiful buildings in the world, and I spent an enjoyable few hours painting the picture." - MH