The Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal is a beautiful building made of white marble in Agra, India. An emperor named Shah Jahan built it in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who had died. It took about 22 years and 20,000 workers to complete. Many people call it the most beautiful building in the world.

A Building of Beauty

The Taj Mahal is known for its perfect symmetry. That means both sides look exactly the same. The main dome is 115 feet tall, about as high as a 12-story building. Precious stones like jade, crystal, and turquoise are set into the marble walls. The white marble changes color throughout the day as the sunlight shifts.

Gardens and Water

The Taj Mahal sits in a large garden divided into four equal parts. A long reflecting pool runs down the center. When the water is still, you can see a perfect mirror image of the building. Fountains and rows of trees line the walkways leading to the entrance.

Fun Facts

• Over 1,000 elephants were used to carry the heavy marble and materials to the building site.
• The four towers around the Taj Mahal are tilted slightly outward so they would fall away from the main building in an earthquake.
• About 28 types of precious and semi-precious stones are set into the marble walls.

Did You Know?

The Taj Mahal looks pinkish in the morning, white at noon, and golden in the moonlight. This is because of how sunlight and moonlight reflect off the white marble.