17th Century

Kösem Sultan (c. 1589-1651), also known by her harem name Mahpeyker, was the wife of Sultan Ahmed I and mother of Sultans Murad IV and Ibrahim I. As valide sultan and regent she dominated Ottoman politics for four decades before being killed in a palace power struggle with her rival, Turhan Sultan.

The Taj Mahal (1632-1653 CE) is an ivory-white marble mausoleum built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Located in Agra, India, this masterpiece blends Persian, Islamic, and Indian architectural traditions, representing the pinnacle of Mughal achievement.