1. The Taj Mahal’s minarets are not perpendicular
When you ever visit Taj Mahal, look carefully at the structure and you will notice that the four minarets of Taj Mahal are not perpendicular. This is a very innovative construction of that time because these minarets were built tilting outwards as a protection to Taj during natural calamity such as an earthquake. At such occasions the minarets will fall outward and the main building will be saved.
2. The Taj Mahal’s interior has a majestic inlay
While taking a tour of the Taj Mahal, if you haven’t noticed then clap your eyes on the beauty of the awespiring inlay work within. These were made using an assortment of rare, precious and semi-precious stones which were brought from all across India as well as abroad, like Sri Lanka and China. The Taj Mahal is literally a treasure chest! And obviously the British did not spare the Tajl. It was raided way too many times for these precious stones and the restoration work was initiated only in the late 19th century.
3. The Taj Mahal beats the Qutub Minar in height
While measuring the heights, Taj Mahal was found to be taller than Qutub Minar. On search, both are shown at the height of 240 feet but in reality, Taj Mahal is actually 5 feet taller than Qutub Minar.
4. The Taj Mahal was supposed to have a black twin
It is said that Shah Jahan had actually planned to build a mirror image of the Taj Mahal he built for Mumtaz, albeit in black, across the Yamuna river and connect the two by a bridge. This Black Taj was to be dedicated to Shah Jahan himself. But this was interrupted by a war with his sons.
5. The Taj Mahal changes colours
The Taj Mahal is quite fascinating in many senses. The colour of the Taj changes as per the time of the day and the condition of the sky. It gives out a pinkish hue during the early morning hours. During the evening the Taj looks milky white. At night time, under the moonlight, the Taj Mahal gives out a light blue hue. This is indeed a wondrous view.
6. The Taj Mahal is an optical illusion
While visiting Taj Mahal, notice that when you look at it from the main gate, it will look majestic, incredibly near and quite big in size. But as you walk towards it, it will look as if it is walking away from you or shrinking in size. Not something you would normally expect when you go there.
7. The cenotaphs in Taj Mahal are empty
You should know as you go to the Taj Mahal to see the two lovers resting side by side, that those cenotaphs are actually adorned with precious stones and enclosed in a chamber for you to view it from far away. The real coffin is actually lying in a secret quiet room at the garden level.
8. The Taj Mahal wasn’t really the first place where Mumtaj Mahal was buried
After the death, Mumtaj Mahal was actually buried at two different places before it at last got its final resting place at the basement of Taj Mahal. Originally, right after her death, she was buried in Burhanpur. After that she was shifted to Agra where she was buried in the complex of Taj Mahal for 12 years before she was moved to her final resting position which is the basement of Taj Mahal right now.
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