Drawing on a huge range of sources from Mughal court histories to Bollywood movies, this superb book gives us a history of the Taj and its many meanings. Giles Tillotson recounts the human drama behind the building, particularly the relationship between Shah Jahan and his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, who lie there. He explores its reputation through history as a Wonder of the World, its representation in art, and analyses the secrets of its architectural success. He describes the troubled story of its conservation and records the recent disputes about its ownership, treatment and exploitation.
