History of Taj Mahal in Timeline

The Taj Mahal, an ivory-white marble mausoleum in Agra, India, was commissioned in 1631 by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to house the tomb of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, and later his own. This iconic structure sits on the Yamuna River's bank and forms the centerpiece of a 17-hectare complex, encompassing a mosque, guesthouse, and formal gardens enclosed by walls. A renowned symbol of love and architectural brilliance, the Taj Mahal stands as a testament to Mughal artistry and enduring historical significance.

1908: Restoration project completed in 1908

In 1908, a restoration project was completed after being ordered by British viceroy Lord Curzon. He also commissioned the large lamp in the interior chamber and replaced the gardens with European-style lawns that are still in place today.

1942: Scaffolding erected to disguise the building in 1942

In 1942, the government erected scaffolding to disguise the building in anticipation of air attacks by the Japanese Air Force.

1947: Archaeological Survey of India Responsible for Maintenance in 1947

Since Indian independence in 1947, the Archaeological Survey of India has been responsible for the maintenance of the monument.

1965: Scaffolding Erected During the India-Pakistan War in 1965

During the India-Pakistan war of 1965, scaffolding was erected to mislead bomber pilots.

1971: Scaffolding Erected During the India-Pakistan War in 1971

During the India-Pakistan war of 1971, scaffolding was erected again to mislead bomber pilots.

1983: Taj Mahal Designated as UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983

In 1983, The Taj Mahal was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as "the jewel of Islamic art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage".

1989: Publication of P. N. Oak's Book in 1989

Several court cases and statements by right-wing politicians about Taj Mahal being a Hindu temple have been inspired by P. N. Oak's 1989 book Taj Mahal: The True Story, in which he claimed it was built in 1155 AD and not in the 17th century.

Taj Mahal: The True Story

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1997: Indian Government set up the "Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ)" in 1997

After directives by the Supreme Court of India, in 1997 the Indian government set up the "Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ)", a 10,400-square-kilometre (4,000 sq mi) area around the monument where strict emissions standards are in place, due to environmental pollution that has turned the Taj Mahal yellow-brown.

2000: India's Supreme Court Dismissed P. N. Oak's Petition in 2000

In 2000, India's Supreme Court dismissed P. N. Oak's petition to declare that a Hindu king built the Taj Mahal.

2005: Amar Nath Mishra's Petition Dismissed by Allahabad High Court in 2005

In 2005, a similar petition brought by Amar Nath Mishra, a social worker and preacher claiming that the Taj Mahal was built by the Hindu king Paramardi in 1196, was dismissed by the Allahabad High Court.

2006: Archaeologists Reconstructed Part of the Pool in the Mehtab Bagh in 2006

In 2006, archaeologists reconstructed part of the pool in the Mehtab Bagh, where a dark reflection of the white mausoleum could clearly be seen, befitting Shah Jahan's obsession with symmetry and the positioning of the pool itself.

2007: Taj Mahal Declared a Winner of the New 7 Wonders of the World in 2007

In 2007, the Taj Mahal was declared a winner of the New 7 Wonders of the World initiative.

2007: Taj Mahal in the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007

Lists of recommended travel destinations often feature the Taj Mahal, which also appears in several listings of seven wonders of the modern world, including the New Seven Wonders of the World, a poll conducted in 2007.

2010: Cracks Appearing in Parts of the Tomb in 2010

In 2010, cracks started appearing in parts of the tomb due to a decline in the groundwater level in the Yamuna river basin.

November 2015: Union Minister of Culture Statement in 2015

In November 2015, the Union Minister of Culture stated in the Indian Parliament that there was no evidence that it was ever a temple.

2015: Taj Mahal Estimated Cost in 2015

In 2015, the estimated cost to build the Taj Mahal complex was approximately ₹52.8 billion (US$827 million).

August 2017: Archaeological Survey of India Declared No Evidence of a Temple in 2017

In August 2017, the Archaeological Survey of India declared that there was no evidence to suggest the monument ever housed a temple.

April 2018: Minor Damage Reported Due to Storms in April 2018

Minor damage was reported to the Taj Mahal due to storms in April 2018.

2019: Fines Instituted for Visitors Staying Longer Than Three Hours in 2019

In 2019, to address overtourism, the site instituted fines for visitors who stayed longer than three hours.

May 2020: Minor Damage Reported Due to Storms in May 2020

Minor damage was reported to the Taj Mahal due to storms on 31 May 2020.

2022: Five Million Visitors Visited Taj Mahal in 2022

About five million visitors visited Taj Mahal in the financial year 2022–23.

2024: Entrance Fees in 2024

As of 2024, the entrance fee for Indian citizens was ₹50, for citizens of SAARC and BIMSTEC countries, it was ₹540 and for other foreign tourists, it was ₹1,100.