What is pietra dura, used to decorate the Taj Mahal?

Stone inlay of colored gems in marble

Painted ceiling murals in gold and blue

Taj Mahal Quiz: India's Marble Monument to Love

This Taj Mahal quiz explores the white marble mausoleum in Agra, India, built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal on the banks of the Yamuna River, from its gardens and minarets to pietra dura inlay, Agra Fort and the legends that surround it. Ten questions.

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🎯 Daily Trivia Challenge • 🧠 10 Questions • ⏱️ 90 Seconds

Question 1 / 10 Time: 90s

Location
In which Indian city is the Taj Mahal located?
History
Which Mughal emperor ordered the Taj Mahal's construction after his wife's death in 1631?
Purpose
The Taj Mahal was built as a tomb for whom?
Material
What is the Taj Mahal's main building mostly covered with?
River
The Taj Mahal stands on the bank of which river?
Decoration
What is pietra dura, used to decorate the Taj Mahal?
Construction
Roughly how many years did it take to complete the whole Taj Mahal complex?
Design
How many minarets stand at the corners of the Taj Mahal?
Legend
Where was Shah Jahan imprisoned late in life, with a view of the Taj Mahal?
Recognition
In which year did the Taj Mahal become a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

Explanations: answer key for all 10 questions

Q1: In which Indian city is the Taj Mahal located?
Answer: Agra
Agra lies in the state of Uttar Pradesh, about 200 kilometers southeast of New Delhi.
Q2: Which Mughal emperor ordered the Taj Mahal's construction after his wife's death in 1631?
Answer: Shah Jahan
Shah Jahan ruled from 1628 to 1658. His reign is remembered as a golden age of Mughal architecture.
Q3: The Taj Mahal was built as a tomb for whom?
Answer: Mumtaz Mahal
Mumtaz Mahal died in 1631 while giving birth to their 14th child. Shah Jahan is buried beside her.
Q4: What is the Taj Mahal's main building mostly covered with?
Answer: White marble
The marble came from Makrana in Rajasthan. It seems to change color from pink to white to gold during the day.
Q5: The Taj Mahal stands on the bank of which river?
Answer: The Yamuna
The river flows right behind the mausoleum. The Mughals planned gardens on both banks, including the Mehtab Bagh moonlight garden.
Q6: What is pietra dura, used to decorate the Taj Mahal?
Answer: Stone inlay of colored gems in marble
Craftsmen set semi-precious stones such as jade, lapis lazuli and carnelian into the marble to create delicate flowers, vines and patterns.
Q7: Roughly how many years did it take to complete the whole Taj Mahal complex?
Answer: About 20 years
Work began around 1632 and continued until about 1653, involving around 20,000 workers and many elephants.
Q8: How many minarets stand at the corners of the Taj Mahal?
Answer: Four
The minarets lean slightly outward, so they would fall away from the tomb in an earthquake.
Q9: Where was Shah Jahan imprisoned late in life, with a view of the Taj Mahal?
Answer: Agra Fort
His son Aurangzeb took power in 1658 and kept Shah Jahan under house arrest until his death in 1666.
Q10: In which year did the Taj Mahal become a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
Answer: 1983
It was also voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007. Millions of visitors come each year.

Taj Mahal Quiz – A Monument to Love

The Taj Mahal is one of the most beautiful buildings in the world and a powerful symbol of love. Standing on the banks of the Yamuna River in Agra, India, this white marble mausoleum seems to glow at sunrise and sunset. Its perfect symmetry, gardens and reflecting pools make it one of the most photographed places on Earth.

The Taj Mahal was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 1631. Construction began soon after and took about 20 years, involving thousands of workers and craftsmen from across the empire and beyond. The design blends Persian, Islamic and Indian architectural traditions.

The main tomb is covered in white marble from Makrana and decorated with verses from the Quran and pietra dura, an inlay of colored stones forming flowers and patterns. Four minarets frame the tomb, and a large garden divided by water channels represents paradise. Inside, the tombs of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan lie side by side.

Late in life, Shah Jahan was overthrown by his son Aurangzeb and imprisoned in Agra Fort, from where he could see the Taj Mahal. Today, the monument is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. India works hard to protect its marble from pollution, and vehicles are not allowed close to the site.

This quiz covers the history, design and legends of the Taj Mahal.

What This Quiz Teaches

This quiz is perfect for travelers, history fans and lovers of great architecture.

Where the Taj Mahal is and who built it
The story of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal
What materials and decorations were used
How long it took to build
Clever design details like the leaning minarets
How it is protected today

Quick Facts About the Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal is closed to general visitors on Fridays.
Taj Mahal means Crown of the Palace.
The central dome rises about 73 meters above the platform.
A legend of a planned black Taj across the river has no strong evidence.
Special night viewings are held around the full moon.
Its gardens follow the Persian charbagh style, divided into four parts.