10 Incredible Facts You Didn't Know About the Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal was commissioned by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died in childbirth.
It took over 20 years and 20,000 workers to complete the Taj Mahal, which was built using white marble and inlaid with precious stones.
The Taj Mahal is situated on the banks of the Yamuna River in Agra, India, and attracts millions of visitors each year.
The four minarets surrounding the Taj Mahal are slanted slightly outward, to prevent them from falling onto the main structure in the event of an earthquake.
The intricate calligraphy and decorative designs adorning the Taj Mahal are made up of precious stones and gems, including lapis lazuli, turquoise, and jade.
The central dome of the Taj Mahal is over 115 feet tall and features a unique double-shell design, with an inner and outer dome.
The Taj Mahal was designed to be perfectly symmetrical, with each side being identical to the other.
In the early 1900s, a British viceroy attempted to sell off the Taj Mahal and its surrounding gardens, but was met with public outrage and the plan was scrapped.
The Taj Mahal's gardens are arranged in a classic Mughal-style charbagh, or four-part garden, with a central water feature and fountains.
The Taj Mahal's beauty and grandeur have inspired countless imitations and replicas around the world, making it a true global icon.