Taj, aptly called a dream in marble, is situated on the right banks of the Yamuna river. It is towards the South of the city and is at a distance of about 3 km. The Taj Mahal, the most beautiful building in the world, is made of white marble in the loving memory of the Empress of India, Arjumand Bano Begum. She was the granddaughter of Mirza Giyas, who was later known as and was the father of Noor Jahan, The wife of prince Salim of Jahangir. Her father's name was Khwaja Abul Hasan, entitled Yamin-ud- Daula. Asaf Khan was the real brother of Noor Jahan and was the prime minister of Jahangir's court.
Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal were inspirable loves, and it is clear from the incident that when SHAH JAHAN had to go to suppress a rebellion of Khn - e Jahan - Lodi at Burhanpur in the Deccan, then Mumtaz was also at the side of Shah Jahan in Burhanpur in that campaign.
After the death of Mumtaz Mahal, 'The lady of the Taj' Shan Jahan could not bear this great loss of his dear wife, and his health began o decline. On each Friday, Shah Jahan used to go to her grave on his foot in a white dress to read Fatiha, accompanied by his courtiers and nobles.
The emperor announced a memorial to be built for his dear wife and invited designs from the world's famous architects. So many designs were put before the emperor, but ultimately the design of Ustad Isa Afandi of Turkey was selected, and the construction of the Taj started.