The Taj Mahal was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died during childbirth in 1631.
The Taj Mahal is a blend of various architectural styles, combining elements of Islamic, Persian, Ottoman Turkish, and Indian architecture.
The walls of the Taj Mahal are adorned with intricate calligraphy, featuring verses from the Quran, elegantly carved in marble.
The inlaid floral motifs on the marble surface of the Taj Mahal contain semi-precious stones like lapis lazuli, onyx, and jasper.
The color of the Taj Mahal appears to change at different times of the day. It looks pinkish in the morning, milky white during the day, and golden in the moonlight.
The four minarets surrounding the Taj Mahal are slightly tilted outward. This design was intentional, so that in the event of an earthquake, they would fall away from the main structure to protect it.
The Taj Mahal is perfectly symmetrical, except for the tombs of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal, which are placed off-center to maintain the symmetrical balance.
Contrary to popular belief, Mumtaz Mahal's actual grave is below the main chamber, not inside the central dome.
The British East India Company removed the semi-precious stones from the Taj Mahal's walls during the Indian Rebellion of 1857, defacing some of its intricate artwork.
The Taj Mahal has inspired the design of several other buildings around the world, including the Bibi Ka Maqbara in Aurangabad, India, often referred to as the "Mini Taj Mahal."