Shahjahan did not cut hands of labourers after construction of Taj Mahal

To help better appreciate this history, we have compiled a list of the 10 most interesting facts and rumours about Taj Mahal.

Rumours about Taj Mahal

It is rumoured that mummy of the Bugum is buried in Taj Mahal. However, there is no authentic account of this story.It is also a big rumour that Emperor Shah Jahan ordered that every worker’s hands be chopped off immediately after construction, so that no one could ever recreate the Taj Mahal. No historical account corroborates this hearsay.

The history also does not verify about who desinged Taj Mahal and that its design was seen by the architect in dream.

There is no historical or archaelogical proof that Emperor Shah Jahan had planned to construct another Taj Mahal in black marble on the other side of the river but the war with his sons interrupted his plans. This story was actually coined by guides in year 1910.

The Taj Mahal takes on different colouring at different times of the day, from a pinkish hue in the morning, milky white in the evening and golden at night when lit by the moon. They say the changing colour resembles the changing mood of females – in particular the Emperor’s queen. Actually Taj Mahal’s change of colour is due to reflection of sunlight during different phases of the day.

It is mere rumour that Taj Mahal was once a Shiv Mandir. Archaeological survey of India has said in the Supreme Court that the building was constructed by Shahjahan and has never been a mandir.

Facts about Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal reigns supreme as one of the most recognisable and iconic images of India. Its delicate minarets, gracefully curved archways and ice cream scoop domes have led many to make the pilgrimage to stand at its entrance and wonder at its grandeur. The wonder isn’t only found in its construction. Here stands a building that is as rich in history as it is in opulent marble. It is estimated to have taken more than 22,000 people to build this impressive building including labourers, painters, stonecutters, embroidery artists, and many others.

Built in memory of the Emperors third and most favourite wife Mumtāz Mahal, the Taj Mahal took 17 years to be completed.

1. It is said that the death so crushed the Emperor that all his hair and beard were said to have grown snow white within just a few months.
2. The four sides of the Taj Mahal are perfectly identical creating an astonishingly mirrored image on each side. It uses the principles of self-replicating geometry and symmetry of architectural elements.
3. The Taj Mahal is surrounded by significant gardens and a number of other buildings including  a mosque and guest houses which make up the 17 hectares of land within the complex walls.
4. The full height of the Taj Mahal is 171 metres (561 feet).
5. More than 1,000 elephants were employed to transport the construction materials used to build the Taj.
6. Many precious stones were ripped off from its walls by the British during the Indian rebellion of 1857.