Eight Fascinating Facts About the Taj Mahal

For those visiting India for the first time, it’s nearly impossible to overlook the must-see Taj Mahal. This mausoleum in Agra is India’s most renowned monument, serving as a stunning tribute to everlasting love. Constructed between 1632 and 1647 by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, it was built in honor of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who passed away during childbirth. Yet, despite its legendary status, many aspects of its history remain enigmatic. Here are some intriguing details about this marble masterpiece that you may not be aware of.

Optical illusions abound

The architects and artisans behind the Taj Mahal were true masters of proportion and visual deception. For instance, when you first approach the main gate framing the Taj, the monument seems astonishingly close and massive. However, as you draw nearer, it appears to shrink—quite the opposite of what one would anticipate. Additionally, while the minarets surrounding the tomb seem perfectly vertical, they actually lean outward, serving both aesthetic and practical purposes: this design choice not only enhances visual balance but also ensures that the pillars would fall away from the main structure in the event of a disaster like an earthquake.

The most well-known myth is likely untrue

A popular legend claims that Shah Jahan was so intent on creating a mausoleum unparalleled in beauty that he allegedly had the hands severed and the eyes gouged out of the artisans and craftsmen to prevent anyone from replicating the Taj Mahal’s splendor. However, historians have uncovered no evidence to validate this gruesome narrative—though it certainly adds to the drama of the romantic tragedy.

Both cenotaphs are unoccupied

Within the Taj Mahal, the cenotaphs dedicated to Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan are housed in an eight-sided chamber adorned with pietra dura (an intricate inlay of semi-precious stones) and a delicate marble lattice screen. However, these exquisite monuments are merely ornamental: the actual sarcophagi are located in a serene chamber beneath, at garden level.

It’s (almost) perfectly symmetrical

The Taj Mahal represents the zenith of Mughal architecture, built with remarkable symmetry in accordance with the principles of its era. Minarets flank the domed tomb, and a central pool mirrors the main structure. The gardens—an earthly manifestation of paradise—are divided into quadrants, with twin red sandstone edifices (an east-facing mosque and a west-facing guesthouse) providing balanced harmony to the mausoleum complex. However, there is one notable exception: Shah Jahan’s cenotaph is oddly positioned west of the central axis, disrupting the symmetry. This unusual placement has led many to speculate that he never intended to be interred there.

The Taj receives regular cleanings

Time and pollution have taken a toll on the Taj Mahal’s brilliant white marble exterior, which has developed a brownish-yellow tint due to the soot. Occasionally, the monument indulges in a spa treatment, specifically a mudpack facial known as multiani mitti. This traditional remedy, favored by Indian women for restoring radiance, is applied and then rinsed off with brushes, causing the Taj’s imperfections to fade and its shine to return.

It shifts colors throughout the day

One of the enchanting features of the Taj Mahal is its ever-changing colors. From dawn to dusk, the sun casts different shades on the mausoleum. It can appear pearly gray and soft pink at sunrise, dazzling white at midday, and orange-bronze at sunset. At night, the Taj can take on a translucent blue hue. Special tickets are even offered for viewings during the full moon and eclipses.

A second, black-marble Taj Mahal was envisioned

Remember the peculiar placement of Shah Jahan’s cenotaph? Local legend suggests that Shah Jahan intended to create a shadow reflection across the Yamuna River—an identical, but contrasting Taj Mahal made of black marble—where he would be laid to rest. It is said that construction ceased after Shah Jahan was overthrown by his son (ironically, a child of Mumtaz Mahal) and imprisoned in the nearby Agra Fort. Some historians, however, regard this tale as mere folklore.

It represented both power and love

Historical accounts reveal that Shah Jahan was more of a ruthless ruler than a romantic figure. Despite its strong ties to love and devotion, the Taj Mahal also served as a powerful propaganda tool. The meticulous symmetry of the complex represents absolute authority—the ideal of Mughal rule. Its grandeur and opulence, featuring materials like crystal, lapis lazuli, makrana marble, and turquoise, further celebrated Shah Jahan’s reign.