Taj Museum

The Taj Museum occupies the Western Jal Mahal, a sandstone pavilion on the west side of the Taj Mahal complex in Tajganj, Agra, in Uttar Pradesh. The Archaeological Survey of India established the museum in 1906, during the conservation programme begun under the Viceroy Lord Curzon, to house objects relating to the Taj Mahal and the Mughal court. The Jal Mahal, a Mughal-era building, was adapted for the purpose, and its location within the monument grounds makes the museum part of the Taj Mahal visit.

The collection is displayed in a small set of galleries and focuses on the era of Shah Jahan, who commissioned the Taj Mahal after the death of Mumtaz Mahal in 1631. Exhibits include Mughal miniature paintings, calligraphy panels, farmans (royal decrees), a manuscript signed by Shah Jahan, arms and armour, inlay work, and original drawings and architectural plans connected with the monument. Objects of stone and marble show the craft traditions behind the Taj, including pietra dura. Some displays illustrate the construction of the complex, the materials used and the artisans involved, while portraits of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal give context to the story.

The curatorial approach is broadly thematic and object-based, with ASI labels in English and Hindi. The museum is compact and can be seen in under an hour. It is open daily from 9:00AM to 5:00PM and closed on Fridays, in line with the Taj Mahal itself. Entry is free with the Taj Mahal ticket. Conservation has concentrated on protecting the paintings and manuscripts from light and humidity, and displays have been updated at intervals. The museum offers a quieter, shaded break from the heat of the garden and gives background that deepens an understanding of the monument.