Taj Museum

The Taj Museum occupies the Western Jal Mahal, a red sandstone pavilion inside the Taj Mahal complex in Tajganj, Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The Archaeological Survey of India established it in 1906 to display objects related to the Taj and the Mughal court, and it is reached by walking from the main gateway into the western side of the outer garden. The small galleries hold Mughal-era miniature paintings, calligraphy, farmans (imperial decrees), inlay samples, stone and metal objects, and 18th and 19th century paintings and engravings of the Taj. Original architectural drawings and portraits of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal help explain how the monument was planned, and some exhibits show the tools and stone types used by craftsmen. Labels are in English and Hindi, and the display is modest rather than a major collection. A visit takes 30 to 45 minutes, and it is best treated as a quiet break from the heat and crowds outside rather than a destination in itself. The museum is free with the Taj ticket, closes at 5PM, and is closed on Fridays along with the rest of the complex. The most useful time to visit is midday, when the sun is harsh on the main platform and the museum offers shade and a fan or cooling. Crowds are usually light, and photography is often limited, so visitors should check signage. The building itself is worth a look, with its cool arcaded interior and views across the garden. Visitors who want context before they see the mausoleum can go first, while those who prefer to save it for last will find the exhibits explain the inlay and calligraphy they have just seen.