View of the Taj from its Causeway

This photograph depicts the Taj Mahal from its causeway, lined with trees on either side of the fountain. The famous marble tomb derived its name from the corruption of Mumtaz Mahal’s title ‘Mumtaz-i-Mahal' (Chosen of the Palace). Seen as a remnant of Mughal glory, it attracted a lot of attention from nineteenth and twentieth century photographers such as Samuel Bourne and John Edward Saché, who captured several views of the Taj. The fountains in the foreground were aligned in a manner that ensured that the reflection of the Taj was not obstructed. Its views were captured from every possible angle, for instance from the Agra Fort, the banks of river Yamuna, and from its gateway, among many others.