The Taj Mahal complex is thought to have been finished in its entirety in 1653 at a cost of roughly 32 million rupees, which would be around 52.8 billion rupees (US $827 million) in 2015. This makes it the most expensive single building in history and also one of the most expensive objects ever created.
It's estimated that more than 20,000 people were involved in its construction. The mausoleum's facade is made of marble from Rajasthan, while its interior is carved out of solid white marble from Agra. The building takes up about 33 acres (13.5 hectares), including an adjacent cemetery where Shah Jahan's wife and children are also buried.
In 2016, an international team of experts formed by the Indian government certified that the Taj Mahal is now officially considered a world heritage site. The team also concluded that the original price tag of 32 million rupees ($500,000) was too low and some estimates put the final cost at over 100 million rupees ($1.5 billion).
Taj Mahal means "Crown Jewel" in English. It was named after the jewel-studded crown Shah Jahan wore on his forehead during his reign. The tomb was intended for Shah Jahan but he died before it could be completed. Therefore, it is regarded as the greatest monument to love and death.
According to Tajmahal.org.uk, the Taj Mahal's construction cost more than 32 crore rupees, which is more than $200 million dollars in today's currency for the structure and its environs. More than 20,000 laborers contributed, and building lasted 22 years, from 1631 to 1653.
The site was originally owned by the Mumtaz Mahal, who died during childbirth, and her husband, Shah Jahan. He was so devastated by her death that he ordered a grand monument to be built as a tribute to her. He also wanted to show the world that his new wife, Empress Nur Jahan, was indeed the most beautiful woman in the world.
The white marble used to construct the Taj Mahal was cut from a single quarry near Agra. The stone was transported by river boat more than 200 miles down the Yamuna River to the building site. About 20,000 workers participated in its construction.
The actual construction costs are unknown because no records were kept at the time. However, estimates put the total cost between $80 and $220 million in 2016 dollars.
Including land, labor, materials and administration, the total cost of the project was approximately 32 crore rupees ($200 million) in 1631. This would be about $1.5 billion in 2016 dollars.
The Taj Mahal's revenue Taj Mahal generated 77 crores in income. In addition, the monument's overall yearly average revenue for the previous three years was about 61.4 crores, not Rs 22.3 crores. As a result, the official data completely contradicts the misleading information being spread. The true cost of building the Taj Mahal has been estimated at around Rs 15-20 million ($230,000 - $300,000).
The Taj Mahal was built between 1632 and 1653 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a memorial to his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It is the largest mausoleum in the world. When it was completed, it was said to be worth the equivalent of 150,000 sheep or 50,000 horses.
In 2016, India's Ministry of Culture announced that the country's leading heritage foundation, the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, had successfully tendered its services to conduct a global fundraising campaign for the restoration and maintenance work on the Taj Mahal for the next 100 years. The ministry also announced that Indian authorities have granted permission for the construction of a new hotel near the tomb. The development plan includes seven buildings with a total of 545 rooms. It will be the first major tourist attraction in the capital after the announcement of India's election results last year.
The project was expected to generate up to 20,000 jobs during its construction phase.
In the previous year, the Taj Mahal received approximately 70 lakh visitors, not 7.5 lakh (2018-19). In addition, the Taj Mahal's ticketing income in 2018-19 was roughly Rs. 77.9 crores. Even if the average of the previous three years' earnings is used (as in the post), it is still roughly 61.4 crores. This shows that the number of visitors is much higher than the estimated 7.5 lakh.
The National Heritage Memorial Fund has announced a project to install an automatic system at the Taj Mahal to monitor and protect its conservation. The system will use technology developed by Genssler Systems, Inc., the United States company that created the original design for the monument. It will be able to detect changes in temperature and humidity within the marble and use this information to alert officials if any steps need to be taken to preserve the structure.
It was built in 1632 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan (who ruled from 1628 to 1658) to house the tomb of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal; it also holds Shah Jahan's mausoleum....
| Taj Mahal | |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 27°10′30″N 78°02′31″ECoordinates: 27°10′30″N 78°02′31″E |
| Area | 17 hectares |
| Height | 73 m (240 ft) |
| Built | 1632–53 |
To access the Taj Mahal and other nearby landmarks like as Agra Fort, an auto rickshaw will cost roughly INR 700 per day. The price ranges between INR 500 and INR 700, depending on your present location and season. It would cost roughly INR 50 if the trip was less than 3 kilometres. Additional kilometres added onto the route will increase the charge.
The auto rickshaw is a two-wheeler that functions as a taxi as well as a public transportation system in many Indian cities. There are three main types of autos: those with scooters as their only seat (these are the most common); those with four-wheeled chassis; and those with trishaws (three-wheeled vehicles with a small third wheel for extra stability).
There are approximately 70,000 autos registered in Delhi alone. They make up about 15% of the city's total transport fleet. Auto drivers work from around 6 am to midnight, except during summer when temperatures often exceed 45 degrees Celsius.
In India, there are several laws governing autos. Drivers must have a valid license, be under the age of 25, and have a photo ID card to operate one. Fines range from $20 to $100. Traffic rules also apply. For example, you cannot drive against the flow of traffic or park in a bus stop.
In addition, there are some areas of concern when it comes to auto safety.
The income was Rs 58,76,04,981 from 65,65,627 visitors the previous year, up from Rs 55,09,29,860 from 61,77,196 visitors in 2016-2017. The Taj Mahal earned Rs 17,92,27,050 from 50,70,573 tourists in 2015-2016, compared to Rs 21,23,55,330 in 2014-2015, when 60,89,901 visits were reported.
Its annual revenue was estimated at $50 million (Rs 2.5 billion) in 2013. That's more than many countries' tourism revenues!
The Taj Mahal generated around $7 million (Rs 35 billion) in 2011, which is more than any other tourist site in India. It has remained number one since then.
Its current status is under review by the government due to financial difficulties. The management has asked visitors not to make donations. However, there are information boards at the entrance of the monument advising people to make donations instead.
In 2007, a report in the Indian newspaper The Hindu said that the Taj Mahal had lost money every year since its opening in 1632. The report also quoted an expert as saying that if maintenance costs are included, then the Taj Mahal would have lost money throughout its history.
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