G-Street View adds iconic landmarks including the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort (video)

The majestic Taj Mahal has been dubbed the ‘crown jewel of India' thanks to its complex marble structure, stunning symmetry and rich history, the Daily Mail reported.


As a protected World Heritage site, the mausoleum is considered one of the must-see places of the world, yet its location in northern India is out of reach for many - until now.


The Taj Mahal is one of 30 iconic Indian landmarks that have been mapped and added to Google's Street View and World Wonders collection, letting people explore the sights without leaving their home.

A total of 99 heritage sites around the world have been, or are in the process of being, documented for this collection.

Google announced it was working with Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to capture the national Indian treasures in 2011.

However, later that year, the Trekkers were banned from filming in Bangalore following privacy concerns from local police. The police said Bangalore was a ‘highly sensitive’ and felt Google’s Trekker backpacks were intrusive.

Trekkers were able to capture landmarks in other regions, though, including the Agra Fort, one of the main forts from the Mughal Empire, and Qutb Minar in Delhi, home to the tallest brick minaret in India.

Other monuments include Humayun's Tomb, and the ancient temples at Muvar Koil.

“In a country as rich with heritage as India, technology can change the way we learn about and understand the past,' said Google's Street View program manager Gautam Gandhi.

“These Indian heritage sites have historically been admired by those lucky enough to journey to and across India. With the new panoramic imagery live on Street View, people around the world can now visit these iconic monuments online.”

The Taj Mahal was built on the banks of Yamuna River in a Mughal garden in Agra.
It was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal between 1632 AD and 1648 AD.

The Red Fort of Agra was built in 1565 by the Emperor Akbar on the right bank of the Yamuna River. It sits in the Shah Jahan Gardens which surround the Taj Mahal.


It is made up of many palaces, such as the Jahangir Palace and the Khas Mahal, both also built by Shah Jahan; audience halls, such
as the Diwan-i-Khas; and two mosques.


Humayun's Tomb in Delhi was built in 1570. It was the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent and inspired several other buildings, including the Taj Mahal.

Humayun was the second Mughal Emperor of India, and the tomb was built by his widow, Biga Begum between 1569 and 1570. Construction finished 14 years after Humayun’s death, and cost 1.5 million rupees (£14,500 in modern-day terms).

It was built by architect Mirak Mirza Ghiyath and was later used for the burial of various members of the ruling family. It now contains around 150 graves and has been described as the necropolis of the Mughal dynasty.

Meanwhile, the temple-complex of Muvar Koil, also known as Moovar Koil, in the village of Kodumbalur is made up of three identical shrines built in a row, all facing west. The temple features sculptures of Hindu god Siva.

The 360-degree images of the Taj Mahal have been added to Google Culture's World Wonders collection and sit alongside images of Stonehenge, the Palace of Versailles, the archaeological areas of Pompeii and Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial among others.