10 Fascinating Facts About The Taj Mahal

1. The Taj Mahal was commissioned by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in 1632 as a mausoleum for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died during childbirth.

2. It took approximately 22 years to complete, with an estimated 20,000 artisans and craftsmen working on it.

3. The main building is made of white marble sourced from Makrana, Rajasthan, while other materials were brought from across Asia.

4. The Taj Mahal was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.

5. It is often cited as one of the New7Wonders of the World, chosen in a 2007 global poll.

6. The four minarets surrounding the main dome were built slightly tilted outward — a design choice to protect the main tomb in case of earthquake collapse.

7. The marble appears to change colour through the day — pinkish in the morning, white in the evening, and golden under moonlight.

8. Shah Jahan was later imprisoned by his son Aurangzeb and reportedly spent his final years gazing at the Taj Mahal from his cell in Agra Fort.

9. The complex includes a mosque, a guest house, and formal gardens, in addition to the mausoleum itself.

10. The Taj Mahal draws millions of visitors every year and remains one of India’s most recognisable landmarks worldwide.