Taj Mahal

Quick Facts: Who was Taj Mahal?

Subject:

Taj Mahal

Known for:

Ivory-white marble mausoleum commissioned by Shah Jahan for Mumtaz Mahal.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Taj Mahal ( TAHJ mə-HAHL, TAHZH -⁠; Hindustani: [t̪ɑːd͡ʒ ˈmɛɦ(ɛ)l]; lit. 'Crown of the Palace') is an ivory-white marble mausoleum on the right bank of the river Yamuna in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. It was commissioned in 1631 by the fifth Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan (r.

Career & Major Achievements

1628–1658), to house the tomb of his late wife, Mumtaz Mahal; it also houses the tomb of Shah Jahan himself. The tomb is the centrepiece of a 17-hectare (42-acre) complex, which includes a mosque and a guest house, and is set in formal gardens bounded on three sides by a crenellated wall. Construction of the mausoleum was completed in 1648, although work on other parts of the complex continued for another five years.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The first ceremony held at the mausoleum was an observance by Shah Jahan, on 6 February 1643, of the 12th anniversary of the death of Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal complex is believed to have been completed in its entirety in 1653 at a cost estimated at the time to be around ₹32 million, which in 2015 would be approximately ₹52.8 billion (US$827 million). The building complex incorporates the design traditions of Indo-Islamic and Mughal architecture.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1628: 1628 Milestone — 1628–1658), to house the tomb of his late wife, Mumtaz Mahal; it also houses the tomb of Shah Jahan himself.
2. 1631: 1631 Milestone — It was commissioned in 1631 by the fifth Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan (r.
3. 1643: 1643 Milestone — The first ceremony held at the mausoleum was an observance by Shah Jahan, on 6 February 1643, of the 12th anniversary of the death of Mumtaz Mahal.
4. 1648: 1648 Milestone — Construction of the mausoleum was completed in 1648, although work on other parts of the complex continued for another five years.
5. 1653: 1653 Milestone — The Taj Mahal complex is believed to have been completed in its entirety in 1653 at a cost estimated at the time to be around ₹32 million, which in 2015 would be approximately ₹52.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Taj Mahal

True or False: “The Taj Mahal was built solely as a tomb for Mumtaz Mahal and contained no other structures.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The complex is much larger than the mausoleum itself, incorporating a mosque, a guest house, and formal gardens.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Taj Mahal