Donald Trump and Melania Trump pose for a photo in front of the Taj Mahal
The architectural grandeur of 17th century Taj Mahal and the story of its construction by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan left US President Donald Trump "impressed" during his visit to Agra, the guide who accompanied him said.
Nitin Kumar, an Agra-based guide, said the first word the US President said after seeing the marble marvel was, "incredible".
He and First Lady Melania Trump visited the iconic Taj Mahal in Agra, the second stop on his less than 36-hour-long visit to India, and marvelled at the Mughal-era mausoleum built as a monument of love.
After Dwight David Eisenhower (1959) and Bill Clinton (2000), he became the third US President to visit the architectural icon.
"I told them the story of the Taj Mahal, the construction, and the story behind it. President Trump got very emotional after knowing the story of Shah Jahan and his wife Mumtaz Mahal. How he was kept under house arrest by his own son Aurangzeb, and buried here at Taj, next to Mumtaz's grave, after his death," Mr Kumar told reporters.
The couple showed keen interest when they were told about the history and architecture of the dome, and the design details, Mr Kumar said.
"Melania Trump asked about the mud-pack treatment and was amazed when she got to know the details of the process," he said. One of the most photographed sites in the world, it is always high on the itinerary of head of states visiting India.
The monument was built over a period of nearly 20 years by Shah Jahan in memory of his wife after her death in 1631.
"The Taj Mahal inspires awe, a timeless testament to the rich and diverse beauty of Indian Culture! Thank You, India," the US President and the First Lady jointly wrote in the visitors' book.
According to Mohammed Zafar, who lives close to Taj Mahal complex, Mr Nitin has been conducting guided tours for many years. "He was selected for this VVIP visit," he said.