Taj Mahal is a marble-ous place. No wonder, it’s a wonder!
Taj Mahal is on UNESCO’s world heritage sites list and is declared one of the world’s seven wonders. With an estimated construction cost of 32 crore rupees, the monument captivates visitors with its mesmerizing beauty, making it one of the most sought-after places to visit.
If you don’t know much about the Taj Mahal, here are the top ten compelling facts about this place.
It Didn’t Take Years to Build, but Decades
The construction of the Taj Mahal began after the Mughal empress, Mumtaz, wife of Emperor Shah Jehan, died. It took around 22 years to create the spellbound Mahal ultimately. Certain myths suggest that the construction occurred within a day, but these are far from the truth. At that time, the building cost 32 million rupees, approximately more than a billion dollars.
The Man Who Sold the Taj Mahal
Do you know a man called Natwarlal claimed to sell a marble of the Taj Mahal? The exciting part is he did it more than once. He sold the relic by claiming he had been remunerated. The irony is that he was able to sell the marble.
Symbol of Pure Love
You all might know that the Mughal Emperor who built the Taj Mahal, Shah Jahan, loved his third wife dearly, who died while giving birth to a child. Shah Jehan, devastated by her loving wife’s demise, vowed to create a monument that has been preserved for centuries in honor of his wife. The title “Symbol of Love” conferred immense fame on the memorial, although it is more reminiscent of a tragedy than a love story.
The Architect Who Built It
The prominent architect who planned the design and built it was Ustad Ahmad Lahauri. The creativity combined Persian, Islamic, and Indian styles of architecture. There were myths that Western architecture was hired to design the Taj Mahal, but the real man behind it was Ahmad Lauhauri.
One man did not build it
How is it possible to build a gigantic monument single-handedly? Some myths circulating about the Taj Mahal claim that only one individual build the memorial. Still, the reality is that around 20,000 workers were employed from across the continent of Asia and Europe. These workers hailed from the Ottoman Empire, Persia, Europe, and India.
A Peculiar Myth
There are many myths about the Taj Mahal, and one of the most curious ones is that the emperor Shah Jahan ordered to cut the fingers of all the workers who helped build the fabulous monument. He gave the order so that they could not build another Taj Mahal. Well, it’s just a myth.
Mood Swings of the Taj Mahal
Do you know the Taj Mahal portrays mysterious colors at different times throughout the day? The white marble and the unique tiles reflect different colors. Early morning a combination of grey and white depicts an enchanting view. Then it changes to a pinkish color and reflects marble white when sunlight hits it. Some say it can turn golden in the moonlight. The most exciting part is that the changing colors of the Taj Mahal relate to the mood swings of women, especially the Emperor’s Queen.
The Inky Jet-Black Mahal
There were hush-hushes regarding the black Taj Mahal. Emperor Shah Jahan wanted to build one Taj-Mahal in jet black color for himself, and he planned to construct a bridge across the river Yamuna which would’ve connected to the white Taj Mahal. However, due to the political changes in the empire, Shah Jehan’s son took over the reins and imprisoned his father. Shah Jehan was buried in the same Mahal with his wife, although his marble structural size was more extensive than hers.
Taj Mahal is packed with materials
An intriguing thing about this monument is its numerous varieties of 28 exquisite stones and materials. It consists of precious stones, marble stones, construction materials, and the distinctive white marble from Rajasthan. The jasper was brought from Punjab, with other components purchased worldwide. Various stones like crystal, jasper, turquoise, carnelian, sapphire, and the Lapis Lazuli were bought and ingrained in the white marble, making it memorable.
Some precious stones were stolen and are still not found.
As mentioned above, the Taj Mahal consists of different astounding jewels worldwide, but many have been missing for centuries. During times of rebellion and wars, some precious stones were robbed and placed in other buildings and monuments. Even the British looted some rocks from the Taj Mahal in 1857.
Bottom Line
Taj Mahal is one of the world’s seven wonders, and its unique design, fascinating transitions, and calligraphy make it remarkably eye-catching. Taj Mahal has a rich history and is full of myths and rumors that leave a person curious and wanting to know more about it. According to UNESCO, it attracts more than eight million people worldwide. If you want to learn more about this place, get a copy of Welcome to India By Dr. Kinnari Birla and entertain yourself with astonishing facts about the Taj Mahal.
