The Taj Mahal is a white marble mausoleum located in Agra, India that was commissioned by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in 1632 to house the tomb of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. It is the centerpiece of a 42 acre complex that also includes a mosque and guest house, set within formal gardens bounded by crenellated walls. Construction was essentially completed by 1643. The Taj Mahal was built on land south of Agra's walled city that was exchanged from the Maharajah Jai Singh. An area was excavated, filled with dirt and stone to form foundations, and a massive brick scaffold was constructed to aid construction.