10 Interesting Facts About Taj Mahal

10 Interesting Facts About Taj Mahal That Will Leave You AwestruckM

Taj Mahal is rather a work of art, love and design. This is an ivory white marble mausoleum situated in Agra, India, the most well-traveled and revered building in the world. Taj Mahal is regarded as a symbol of eternal love constructed, and continues to herald in such a way that it moves the poets, the historians, the architects and the travellers.

These are 10 amazing and real facts about Taj Mahal which makes it more than a tourist attraction spot.

1. A Love Story Etched in Stone

Taj Mahal was commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1632, as a tribute to his most favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal who died after childbirth. She passes away and the emperor was shattered promising that he would create a monument out of the love that would stay century long. The Taj exists today in the form of supreme devotion.

2. Built by 20,000 Artisans Over Two Decades

The Taj Mahal was constructed but more than 20,000 artisans and laborers who had come all the way to India, Persia, and Central Asia to work without rest. Construction was completed approximately in 1653 and it took almost 22 years to be completed. The workforce consisted of engineers, stonecutters, calligraphers and craftsmen, and thus it was a worldwide development.

3. Changing Moods with the Sun and Moon

The Taj Mahal is known for its ability to change colors depending on the time of day and weather. At sunrise, it glows soft pink, turns pure white under the mid-day sun, and appears golden or bluish in the moonlight. This unique characteristic makes every visit feel different and special.

4. Stunning Symmetry—Almost Perfect

The entire Taj Mahal complex is designed with perfect symmetry—from the gardens and fountains to the four surrounding minarets. But there's one exception: Shah Jahan’s own tomb, added later, is slightly off-center, breaking the symmetry. This is often seen as an unintentional contrast to the monument's otherwise perfect design.

5. Earthquake-Proof Engineering

The four towering minarets are not perfectly vertical—they are slightly tilted outward. This was a deliberate engineering decision so that in the event of an earthquake, the minarets would collapse away from the central tomb, preserving the main structure. A brilliant example of Mughal architectural foresight.

6. Calligraphy That Deceives the Eye

The black marble calligraphy on the walls features verses from the Quran, and they were carved using a clever optical trick. The letters increase in size from top to bottom, so when viewed from ground level, they appear perfectly even. This gives a powerful and elegant aesthetic effect.

7. Materials From Across Continents

The construction materials were sourced globally:

• White marble from Rajasthan
• Jasper from Punjab
• Turquoise from Tibet
• Lapis lazuli from Afghanistan
• Sapphires from Sri Lanka
• Crystal and jade from China

Over 28 different types of precious and semi-precious stones were inlaid into the marble using a technique called pietra dura.

8. Looted but Never Broken

During British colonial rule, the Taj Mahal was nearly dismantled. Its inlaid gemstones were plundered, and the gardens were redesigned in the British style. At one point, plans were made to auction off the monument’s marble. Thankfully, the monument survived and was later restored to its former glory.

9. A UNESCO World Heritage Site

In 1983, the Taj Mahal was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for being “the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of world heritage.” Today, it draws millions of tourists every year and is often listed among the top travel destinations globally.

10. India’s Global Identity

Beyond its architectural excellence, the Taj Mahal is a national symbol—representing India's rich history, cultural diversity, and artistic legacy. It’s featured in films, documentaries, travel campaigns, and social media worldwide, making it an enduring part of India’s image on the global stage.

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