The Taj Mahal was built by a Mongol emperor named Sahah Jahan. He wanted the Taj to be built for his favorite wife Mumtaz Mahal, born in 1593. But his other wife Sahah Jahan (born 1592), became Mongolian emperor in 1628. They married in 1612 and had seven children. Just three years later his beloved wife died shortly after giving birth. In 1632 Sahah Jahan began the project of building a mausoleum, or tomb for his wife, the Taj Mahal. In the center of the building is a tomb for Mumtaz Mahal. Next to his tomb, there is the tomb of Sahah Jahan. The graves in the building are empty, because the two are buried in a crypt under the building. Sahah Jahan was overthrown by his son and imprisoned in the Red Fort within sight of the Taj Mahal. He was forced to spend the last eight years of his life in prison until his death