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      Taj Mahal, Agra  Image Source: Elin Themer No building in India has been so often drawn and photographed as this, or more frequently described; but with all this it is almost impossible to convey an idea of it to those who have not seen it, not only because of its extreme delicacy and beauty of material employed in its construction, but from the complexity of its design.                                                                                The above-mentioned remark on the Taj Mahal is a significant one by James Fergusson, a nineteenth century Scottish-born architectural historian, in History of Indian and Eastern Architecture . This valuable architectural splendour of the 17th century India is located in the Agra district of Uttar Pradesh. Professor James...

 Source: Dr. Richa Singh For ages, people have been captivated by the Taj Mahal, an architectural marvel that stands as a universal icon of love. Admirers from all over the world have been drawn to it by its complex intricacies and facade of white marble. Lady Maria Nugent (1771-1834), one such enthusiast and a keen observer, provides a distinct perspective on the Taj Mahal that goes beyond the archetypal tourist's look. She  arrived in India in 1812 with her husband, Sir George Nugent, 1st  Baronet and C ommander-in- C hief in India from 1811 to 1814  when the British East India Company was attempting to expand its sphere of influence in the region.   Earlier, he served in the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783) as a junior officer. She wrote a journal, East I ndia Journal , recording her visits to all the places she visited during her stay in India. While explaining her intentions for writing the journal, she writes , “I  keep a constant Journal of eve...