Horticulture of the Taj Mahal

The 17th century mausoleum in Agra, India, known as the Taj Mahal, has been long considered one of the most, if not the most, beautiful building, in the world. The structure is part of a large complex of buildings and gardens encompassing 1.7 hectares. Although usually considered in terms of its architecture, the building and grounds are rich in horticulture. The gardens in the Persian style, although considerably altered from the original, are justly famous. The external and internal walls are richly ornamented with bas reliefs of plants and decorations of stone inlays rich in floral imagery that combine Persian, Western, and Indian influences. Many of the plants are geophytes including tulip, narcissus, and iris. The architecture, garden, and decoration of the Taj Mahal are considered the pinnacle of Indo-Mughal art.