Taj Mahal GK Quiz Questions and Answers

The Taj Mahal marks the finest example of Mughal architecture which was commissioned in year 1632 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to keep the tomb of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. While, the Taj Mahal justifies the immense love of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, it is also one of the most visited tourist places in India.

Test your knowledge about the Taj Mahal by solving some important general knowledge questions on Taj Mahal. This gK quiz may uncover some interesting facts about the Taj Mahal – one of the masterpieces of the world’s heritage.

Question: When was the Taj Mahal designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

A 1982

B 1981

C 1980

D 1983

Ans: D 1983

Question: What was implemented by the Indian government to prevent pollution around Taj Mahal?

A Anti-Pollution Danger Zone

B Taj Trapezium Zone

C Taj Pollution Zone

D none

Ans: B Taj Trapezium Zone

Question: Who was the chief architect of the Taj Mahal?

A Shah Jahan

B Ustad Amjad Ali Khan

C Ustad Bismillah Khan

D Ustad Aḥmad Lahawri

Ans: D Ustad Aḥmad Lahawri

Question: Who was the British viceroy that ordered a sweeping restoration project of Taj Mahal in 1900s?

A Jean-Baptiste Tavernier

B Lord Baptiste

C Gur-e Amir

D Lord Curzon

Ans: D Lord Curzon

Question: How many years did it take to complete the complex?

A  Approx 22 years

B  Approx 21 years

C  Approx 20 years

D  Approx 23 years

Ans: A  Approx 22 years

Question: Who was the writer that referred Taj Mahal in his book, Badshahnama, as rauza-i munawwara, meaning the illumined or illustrious tomb?

A Jean-Baptiste Tavernier

B Abdul Hamid Lahauri

C Aurangzeb

D Mahtab Bagh

Ans: B Abdul Hamid Lahauri

Question: What is pietra dura?

A Italian “hard stone”

B Indian stone

C An ornament

D None of the above

Ans: A Italian “hard stone”

Question: How many years did the plinth and tomb of the Taj Mahal took roughly to complete?

A 12

B 9

C 10

D 5

Ans: A 12

Question: When was a restoration and research program for the Taj Mahal initiated?

A 1990

B 1993

C 1995

D 1998

Ans: D 1998

Question: What is the marble water tank called found halfway between the tomb and gateway in the center of the garden of Taj Mahal?

A charbagh

B al Hawd al-Kawthar

C plinth

D pishtaq

Ans: B al Hawd al-Kawthar

Question: Who described the Taj as “Not a piece of architecture, as other buildings are, but the proud passions of an emperor’s love wrought in living stones.”?

A Lord Curzon

B Sir Edwin Arnold

C Sir Lawrence

D Lord William Bentinck

Ans: B Sir Edwin Arnold

Question: What time does the Taj Mahal grounds open?

A 6:00 AM

B 10:00 AM

C 8:00 AM

D 11:00 AM

Ans: A 6:00 AM

Question: What is the meaning of “Taj Mahal”?

A The crown of the palace

B A palace tomb

C An authority

D A Fort

Ans: A The crown of the palace

Question: What is the arch-shaped doorway that is in the tomb inside the Taj Mahal?

A pishtaq

B plinth

C iwan

D finial

Ans: C iwan

Question: Where is Taj Mahal located?

A Delhi

B Sri Lanka

C Agra

D Madhya Pradesh

Ans: C Agra

Question: What is set around the Taj Mahal which covers around 300 sq. meter?

A lake

B forest

C maze

D Mughal garden

Ans: D Mughal garden

Question: What is the area of the land occupied by Taj Mahal?

A 12 hectares

B 17 hectares

C 23 hectares

D 16 hectares

Ans: B 17 hectares

Question: What is the central focus of the entire complex of the Taj Mahal?

A chamber

B tomb

C garden

D pishtaq

Ans: B tomb

Question: What is the height of Taj Mahal?

A 73 metres

B 45 metres

C 67 metres

D 71 metres

Ans: A 73 metres

Question: What is the Taj Mahal made of?

A diamonds

B white topaz

C ivory-white marble

D ores and cement

Ans: C ivory-white marble

Question: Who was Taj Mahal built for?

A Aurangzeb

B Mumtaz Mahal

C Shah Jahan

D Akbar

Ans: B Mumtaz Mahal

Question: Who was the Persian wife of the Mughal emperor whom the Taj Mahal was built for?

A Gauhara Begum

B Mumtaz Mahal

C Gur-e Amir

D Jama Masjid

Ans: B Mumtaz Mahal

Question: When was the construction of Taj Mahal essentially completed?

A 1700

B 1643

C 1879

D 1600

Ans: B 1643

Question: When was the Taj Mahal declared a winner of the New7Wonders of the World (2000–2007) initiative?

A  2010

B  2005

C 2011

D 2007

Ans: D 2007

Question: What was the cost of construction of the Taj Mahal?

A 34 million rupees

B 32 million rupees

C 45 million rupees

D 50 million rupees

Ans: B 32 million rupees

Check other GK Questions and Answers

Question: Of what matarial is the outside of the Taj Mahal mainly made?

A Ivory

B Gold painted stone

C Gray stone

D White marble

Ans: D White Marble

Question: When was Taj Mahal designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

A 1983

B 1999

C 1768

D 1840

Ans: A 1983

Question: In which year was Taj Mahal commissioned by Shah Jahan?

A 1631

B 1789

C 1600

D 1790

Ans: A 1631