The Taj Mahal in Agra, India, is one of the most famous landmarks in the world. Commissioned by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century, a mausoleum was built out of white marble to house the tomb of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Taj Mahal’s history and awe-inspiring architecture continue to draw millions of visitors each year. Whether you had the chance to see it in person or not, there is a good chance you’ll find these facts below interesting.
It Cost $840 Million to Build It
When the Taj Mahal was constructed in 1653, its cost was estimated to be 32 million Indian rupees. This amounts to 70 billion Indian rupees in today’s money, or $840 million.
30 Different Kinds of Precious Stones Can Be Found in Taj Mahal
Around 30 different kinds of precious stones were used to decorate the Taj Mahal. The list includes diamonds, pearls, sapphires, and emeralds.
Taj Mahal Changes Color
Depending on the time of the day, the Taj Mahal will have a different color due to its white Makrana marble. The early sun causes the landmark to take on a pinkish color before it turns white during the day and golden during sunset.
It Was Built in 22 Years
Considering its complexity, you would expect that the Taj Mahal was built over a long period of time. However, it “only” took 22 years for the mausoleum to be completed thanks to 20,000 people who worked on it.
Taj Mahal’s Minarets are Tilted on Purpose
If you take a close look, you will see that minarets (towers) surrounding the Taj Mahal are tilted outwards. This was actually done on purpose to protect the building from additional damage in case of an earthquake.