The Taj Mahal is a huge complex of mausoleums commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan to house the remains of his beloved wife. Built over a period of 20 years on the south bank of the Yamuna River in Agra, India, the famous complex is one of the most notable examples of Mughal architecture, combining Indian, Persian and Islamic influences. At its center is the Taj Mahal, built in bright white marble that seems to change color depending on daylight. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1983, it remains one of the most famous structures in the world and a striking symbol of India's rich history.