Who commissioned the Taj Mahal and when was it built?
Shah Jahan commissioned the marble mausoleum in 1632 to honor his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Construction began that year after he exchanged land south of Agra for a palace in the city center.
Questions about Taj Mahal
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What materials were used to construct the Taj Mahal exterior and interior walls?
White marble sourced from Makrana in Rajasthan forms the exterior surface while red sandstone lines other buildings within the complex. Interior walls reach thirty meters high and feature perforated marble screens with intricate pierce work.
When did Shah Jahan die and how long was he under house arrest at Agra Fort?
Shah Jahan died in 1666 after being deposed by Aurangzeb in 1658. He remained under house arrest at Agra Fort until his death and could see the monument from his confinement.
How many visitors does the Taj Mahal attract annually and what are the entry fees?
The monument attracts more than five million visitors annually according to recent financial year data. Entry fees are set at fifty rupees for Indian citizens, 540 rupees for SAARC and BIMSTEC countries, and 1,100 rupees for other foreign tourists.
Is there any evidence supporting the myth that Shah Jahan planned a Black Taj Mahal across the Yamuna River?
No concrete evidence supports stories about a black marble mausoleum or deaths inflicted upon architects and craftsmen. Excavations in the 1990s proved ruins of discolored white stones existed rather than blackened marble.