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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited the Taj Mahal on Monday and posed for photographs with his wife Jeanette Rubio in front of the Mughal-era monument. The visit soon triggered a diplomatic swipe from the Iranian Consulate in Hyderabad, which invoked the monument’s Persian connections to criticise Washington’s stance towards Tehran.
The consulate, sharing a picture of Rubio and his wife, wrote on X, "If Rubio knew the history or architecture, he wouldn’t have posed for a picture here".
The diplomatic mission went on to underline the Persian and Iranian links associated with the Taj Mahal, claiming that the monument symbolised the contribution of Iranian architects, also accusing the US government of threatening to eliminate “Iranian civilisation”.
"This monument was built out for the love of the emperor's Iranian wife, crafted by the genius of Iranian architects — meanwhile his government today threatens to wipe out Iranian civilisation, insulting other civilisations," the consulate wrote.
Rubio, who is on an official visit to India, toured the Taj Mahal in Agra and later visited the Amber Fort as part of a packed diplomatic itinerary. During the visit, he described the Taj Mahal as “one of the love treasures of the world”.
PERSIAN ROOTS OF THE TAJ MAHAL
The Iranian mission’s remarks sought to spotlight the Persian influence embedded in the history and architecture of the Taj Mahal, commissioned by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal.
According to historical records, Mumtaz Mahal, born Arjumand Banu Begum in Agra in 1593, belonged to a Persian noble family. Her father, Abdul Hasan Asaf Khan, was a Persian nobleman and the brother of Mughal empress Nur Jahan.
Construction of the Taj Mahal began around 1632 and took over two decades to complete. Historians note that thousands of artisans and labourers from India, Persia and Central Asia contributed to the mausoleum’s construction, ornamentation and calligraphy work.
Persian artistic traditions heavily influenced Mughal architecture, language and aesthetics during the period. The Taj Mahal complex also features Quranic inscriptions in Arabic and intricate marble inlay work associated with Persian craftsmanship.
Beyond Mumtaz Mahal’s Persian lineage, the Mughal court itself shared strong ties with Persia through figures such as empress Nur Jahan and emperor Jahangir. Nur Jahan was born into a Persian family that migrated from Safavid Persia to India, while her father, Mirza Ghiyas Beg, rose to become one of the most influential nobles in Jahangir’s court.
Persian art, language, architecture and aesthetics flourished under Jahangir’s reign, leaving a lasting imprint on Mughal culture and monuments, including the Taj Mahal.
The Iranian consulate’s remarks came amid continuing tensions in West Asia, even as discussions over a possible peace deal between Iran and the United States remain underway.
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Published On:
May 25, 2026 23:32 IST
