Taj Mahal Native name: Hindi: ताज महल Southern view of the Taj Mahal Location: Agra, India Coordinates: 27°10′29″N 78°02′32″E / 27.174799°N 78.042111°E / 27.174799; 78.042111 Elevation: 171 m (561 ft) Built: 1632 - 1653[citation needed] Architect: Ustad Ahmad Lahauri Architectural style(s): Mughal Visitation: More than 3 million   (in 2003) UNESCO World Heritage Site Type: Cultural Criteria: i Designated: 1983 (7th session) Reference #: 252 State Party:  India Region: Asia-Pacific Located in western Uttar Pradesh, India The Taj Mahal ( /ˈtɑːdʒ/ or /ˈtɑːʒ məˈhɑːl/; Hindi: ताज महल, from Persian/Urdu: تاج محل "crown of buildings", pronounced [ˈt̪aːdʒ mɛˈɦɛl]; also "the Taj") is a mausoleum located in Agra, India. It is one of the most recognizable structures in the world.[citation needed] It was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It is widely considered as one of the most beautiful buildings in the world and stands as a symbol of eternal love..