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
