The Taj Mahal was built on the land owned by this person

The Taj Mahal is one of the most iconic monuments in the world and is symbolic of eternal love. It draws millions of visitors each year who come to visit its stunning architecture and rich history. Built in the 17th century by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
But what many people don’t know is the story of the land that lies below this white marble on which it was built on and it is just as interesting as the monument itself.
While the Taj Mahal is often associated purely with the Mughal era, historical records tell us that the land where it stands today did not originally belong to a Mughal ruler and contrary to popular belief, this land wasn’t seized but exchanged willingly.

Mumtaz Mahal died in 1631 in Burhanpur, and her body was first buried there before being moved to Agra six months later. The land chosen for the Taj Mahal was owned by Mirza Raja Jai Singh of Amer, a Rajput king and ally of Shah Jahan. According to Mughal records like the Padshahnama, Jai Singh donated the land, which had earlier belonged to his grandfather, Raja Man Singh. The site included a grand domed house, described in historical texts. These records make it clear that the land on which the Taj Mahal stands was originally in the possession of the Kachhwaha Rajputs.

Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) also suggests that the land was owned by Raja Jai Singh I of Amer of the , who was a Rajput king and one of Shah Jahan’s trusted allies. Shah Jahan didn’t forcibly take the land. Instead, he negotiated with Jai Singh and acquired it in exchange for four havelis in Agra.
As per a farman or the royal decree issued by Shah Jahan, “Four havelis along with their dependencies belonging to the crown estate were granted to Raja Jai Singh in exchange for the haveli that belonged to Raja Man Singh, which was donated willingly for the construction of the Taj Mahal.”

This exchange of property was part of a common pattern of cooperation between the Mughal rulers and regional Rajput kings, who often played a pivotal role in the empire's expansion and administration. Apart from being a trusted ally, Raja Jai Singh was also a prominent figure in the Mughal court who was well known for his military leadership and loyalty.
According to reports by India.com, BJP MP Diya Kumari, who belongs to the erstwhile Jaipur royal family, recently reaffirmed the claim that the land originally belonged to her ancestors. Speaking to the media, she said, “Records available with the Jaipur family show that the land belonged to us. Compensation was given in return for the land,” although she didn’t go into detail about what that compensation included.