Why Was the Taj Mahal Built?
In 1631, Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, who reigned from 1628 to 1658, completed construction of the Taj Mahal, an ivory-white marble mausoleum to house the tomb of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, whom he was married to from 1628 to 1631.
On January 31, 1666, the tomb of Emperor Shah Jahan was placed inside the mausoleum, one week after his death at 74 years old on January 22, 1666.
Located on the right bank of the Yamuna River in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India, the UNESCO World Heritage Site is celebrated as a symbol of eternal love and one of the most magnificent achievements in Mughal architecture, along with Delhi’s Humayun’s Tomb (1570), Agra’s Agra Fort (1573), Uttar Pradesh’s Fatehpur Sikri (1573-1585), and Sikandra’s Akbar’s Tomb (1613).
In 1983, the Taj Mahal became a UNESCO World Heritage site, one of 45 in India, and on July 7, 2007, the site was declared a new wonder of the world.
During its construction from 1631 to 1653, 20,000 workers, artisans, builders, and stonemasons from India, Persia, and Central Asia worked on the Taj Mahal.
Led by Chief Architect Ustad Ahmad Lahori, the mausoleum was made primarily of white Makrana marble quarried in Rajasthan, along with red sandstone, brick, and 40 types of stones dug from all over Asia.
When the 32 million rupee project was completed, Shah Jahan was dethroned by his son Aurangzeb in 1658 and placed under house arrest for the final eight years of his life, before being placed next to his wife.
Overall, the Taj Mahal is one of the world’s busiest attractions, as it attracts seven million visitors annually.
This Mughal architectural achievement of the 17th century reflects India’s diverse history and the blending of centuries-old traditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
1) How long did the Taj Mahal take to build?
It took 22 years to build the Taj Mahal. Construction started in 1631 and was finished in 1653.
Source: https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/the-taj-mahal-everything-you-need-to-know
2) What does “Taj Mahal” mean?
Taj Mahal translates to “Crown Palace.”
Source: https://www.tajwithguide.com/blog/often-asked-questions-related-to-taj-mahal/
3) Why do the corner minarets of the Taj Mahal tilt outward?
The four minarets of the Taj Mahal have an outward tilt so that if an earthquake strikes, they will fall away from the central dome rather than crush it.
Why it matters
The Taj Mahal is a universally recognized symbol of love and architectural achievement, standing as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and attracting millions of visitors annually.
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