Was
Taj Mahal designed by an Italian architect? This question has cropped up
many times and led to the "Italian architect of Taj Mahal"
myth. Many scholars believe that an Italian architect, Geronimo Veroneo,
designed the Taj Mahal. The first person to suggest the legend of the
Italian Architect of Taj was Father Manrique, an Augustinian Friar. He
met with Father Joseph de Castro, the executor of Veroneo, who told him
about Veroneo. As a matter of fact, a goldsmith named Veroneo did come to India during the rule of Jehangir and died on his way to Lahore. However, beyond that, there is no evidence to prove that Geronimo Veroneo was indeed the architect of Taj Mahal. Another fact that goes against this legend is that Europeans who saw the Taj, under construction, never mentioned him. Also, it is difficult to accept that an artist trained in Italy, could build a tomb as per Indo-Persian architecture.