I’m really excited that you are interested in learning about the Taj Mahal. We will be going over some fun Taj Mahal facts for kids and learning about this amazing monument that is packed with cultural and architectural wonder!
The great Taj Mahal translates into ‘Crown of the Palace.’ It is a marble mausoleum first built in the 17th century by the then Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan. It was first built to house the tomb of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, and eventually came to house Jahan’s tomb too.
The Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage site that attracts visitors from all over the world. It is an enchanting monument that is often taken as an example to depict the effect of Mughal architecture and culture.
Shah Jahan commissioned the mausoleum to be built in 1631 after the passing of his wife during childbirth. While it eventually stood glorious and complete in 1648, work on it continued for the next five years to build the surroundings and the gardens.
The monument is a work of ivory-white marble, a marvel of Islamic art that continues to blow the minds of the visitors who visit. It is built across the river Yamuna in Agra, a city south of the national capital by 128 miles.
There are many more facts about the historical, architectural, narrative, and nostalgic elements of the structure. What are those? Let’s find out.
The Beautiful Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal Quick Facts
- Continent; INDIA
- Country; Agra
- Built In: 1632-1653
- Built For: Mumtaz Mahal
- Built By: Shah Jahan
- Architect: Ustad Ahmad Lahauri (Ahmad Lahori)
- Area: 17 Hectares
- Listing: World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1983
- Height of the Monument: 240 ft
Taj Mahal Facts for Kids
The Taj Mahal is an intricate and intense structure that holds many stories, emotions and secrets. Here are some quick facts about the Taj Mahal.
- Ahmad Lahori supervised the building of the Mahal. He designed the complex mausoleum that is influenced by Islamic, Persian, and Mughal styles and sentiments
- The monument used materials from all over the world when it was being constructed
- Nearly 20,000 workers and more than 1,000 elephants were used to transport them to Agra
- It uses semi-precious and expensive stones, art and artistic styles on the inside and outside
- The intricate designs and structure of the tomb are lavishly inlaid with precious stones and materials. To this day, these stones provide a source of employment for artisans and craftsmen
- Taj Mahal is the central tomb that houses the false and real sarcophaguses and tombs of Mumtaz Begum and Shah Jahan
- The dome above the tomb-area is called the onion dome, which is 155 ft tall by itself. It is one of the key elements that attracts visitors
- The four minarets around the Mahal are each 130 ft tall. These minarets have two working balconies
- Taj Mahal also houses a mosque and a guesthouse
Fun Taj Mahal Gift Ideas
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Taj Mahal Facts For Children Video
We have seen the exterior of The Taj Mahal countless times. However, there is far more to see on the inside, around, and across the monument. Take a look at this video and experience the sheer vastness of culture and elegance the Taj Mahal is fabled for.
https://youtu.be/EWkDzLrhpXI
More Fun Facts about The Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal tombs are inlaid with precious stones like jade, jasper, and yellow marble. These stones often wear away with erosion, which is then tended to by the local artisans who are commissioned to fill the gaps.
The Taj Mahal is an example of an exemplary story of love that Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Begum shared. The emperor ensured that the glory of the building is unforgotten, and that has stayed true even after 400 years.
Taj Mahal spans over 3 acres. The entire area, though, the one that is inclusive of the facilities and surrounding establishments, spans across 17 hectares. In this ground area, there is the Hawd al-Kawthar, the official name given to the long pool of water that flows in front of the building. The Taj Mahal reflects in this water.
All around this water are long stretches of lawn and gardens that run from the entrance to the tomb, popularly called the Mughal Garden. There are many smaller mausoleums too. They house the tombs of Shah Jahan’s other wives and tombs of some servants that his Queens treasured and favored.
The side that faces the river is not open to the public, nor is the upper tomb or minarets. The marble was brought from Rajasthan and Makrana. Stones like jasper were honed from Punjab, crystal and jade were brought from China, the turquoise from Tibet, sapphire from Sri Lanka, and carnelian from Afghanistan. All these materials and gemstones are woven into the jalis, art, paintings, and calligraphy of the palace. Arabic poetry lines the entrance marble.
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Taj Mahal Q & A
How Big is The Taj Mahal?
The Taj Mahal spans over an area of 17 hectares. The area includes the Taj Mahal tombs, a prayer area, and a mosque, gardens, and other smaller establishments like a guesthouse.
Why Is The Taj Mahal Famous?
The Taj Mahal is considered a pioneering example of art and architecture. It is a display of Islamic art influenced by Persian and Mughal styles.
It is a recognized monument, the greatest mausoleum made by an emperor to honor love. The UNESCO declared it as a World Heritage Site due to the glory and sheer influx of cultures the Taj Mahal embroiders.
Can You Go Inside the Taj Mahal?
Yes, absolutely. One must need to pass a specific security check to be allowed inside. The gardens, the mosques, and other sights are free to visit, including the tomb area and archways of the Taj Mahal.
Where you are not allowed to go as a visitor is to the place where the tombs of the emperor and the empress are housed in the lower level. Instead, false sarcophaguses can be visited.
Is Taj Mahal Made Out Of Ivory?
No, the Taj Mahal is built using ivory-white marble and not ivory itself.
Taj Mahal Facts Conclusion
As a distinguished piece of history, art, culture, and architecture, the Taj Mahal stands out as the best example. However, there have been environmental threats due to rising pollution.
Hope this article brought you lots of fun facts for kids and a better idea of what the Taj Mahal is and the history it holds. You can find more details about the Taj Mahal and other monuments on our website.
