12 Fabulous Taj Mahal Facts You May Don’t Know

Taj Mahal is one of the most iconic historical structures in India. It is not just world-renowned for its beautiful architecture, but also for the story behind it. The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum built to house the remains of Mugal Emperor Sha Jahan’s favorite wife. Here are a few Taj Mahal Facts that could interest anyone.

1. One of the most important Taj Mahal facts is that it was in 1632 when Taj Mahal was commissioned by Sha Jahan, a Mugal Emperor. The construction took over 20 years and it came out as one of the most magnificent structures in all of India. It combines the great architectural influences of Mughal, Islam, Persia and of course, India.

2. One of the many encouraging Taj Mahal Facts is that it is probably one of the world’s most romantic gestures ever recorded. The Mughal Emperor married Mumtaz Mahal (Arjumand Banu Begum) and she became the favorite of all the three queens the emperor had. In 1631 though, the favorite queen died after she gave birth to their 14th child. Hurt and grieving, the emperor – who has been known to commission several magnificent structures during his reign – commissioned for the construction of a glorious mausoleum to be built across the Yamuna River from the Agra royal palace.

3. One of the very important Taj Mahal Facts is the chief architect who supervised the Taj Mahal construction was Ustad Ahmad Lahouri, who was also credited for designing the Delhi Red Fort as well.

4. Among the many Taj Mahal Facts that have been circulating, one is a bit sensational. According to reports, Shah Jahan ordered his followers to cut off the hands of everyone who worked for the magnificent structure. The Emperor wanted to make sure that no one will ever build another one like it.

5. Over 20,000 men – from India, Europe, Persia and Ottoman Empire – worked on the structure. These men got help from about a thousand elephants, as well.

6. In 1983 the Taj Mahal was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it is considered as one of the most stunning and celebrated icon of India’s magical history.

7. The Taj Mahal was of course named in honor of the queen Mumtaz Mahal and it was made of white marble decorated with several semi-precious stones like crystal, jade, turquoise, lapis lazuli and amethyst). The intricate designs were formed using the Pietra Dura technique.

8. The Taj Mahal’s central dome is 240 feet high bordered by four slightly smaller domes and with four minarets standing at the corners. There are Quran verses inscribed at the entrance as required by Islamic tradition.

9. Despite the fact that the Taj Mahal is supposed to be the burial home of Mumtaz Mahal, her remains are not in the tomb inside the octagonal chamber heavily adorned with semi-precious stones and carvings that can be found inside the mausoleum. The real tomb containing the queen’s body was laid under, at the garden level.

10. Probably, one of the most saddening Taj Mahal Facts is that, like most royal structures, it suffered disrepair and neglect when the Mughal Empire crumbled.

11. At the turn of the 19th century though, a British viceroy – Lord Curzon – ordered the mausoleum complex’ major restoration as part of a big attempt to preserve the cultural, historical and artistic heritage of India.

12. Today, one of the most encouraging Taj Mahal Facts is that it is visited every year by at least three million people.