Question

Which stone was used to build the Taj Mahal?
A. Granite
B. Marble
C. Red sandstone
D. Limestone

Answer 1

Hint: It is built of a kind of metamorphic rock. The mausoleum is pristine white in colour. The stone used is very popular with artisans and sculptors as well as for construction purposes.

Complete Answer:
The Taj Mahal is a grand mausoleum on the right bank of the Yamuna River. It is located in Agra in Uttar Pradesh. Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan had built it in the memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal as her tomb. Masons, inlayers, carvers, stone-cutters, painters, calligraphers, and dome builders along with other artisans were brought in from the whole of the empire for the construction.

Let us take a look at the types of stones mentioned as see which was used to construct the Taj.-
A. Granite was not used for the construction of the Taj Mahal. Granite is a kind of igneous rock that is very commonly used in architectural purposes, but it was not used for Taj Mahal. So, this is not the correct option.

B. Marble was used for the construction of Taj Mahal. The pure white marble used to construct the mausoleum has given it a beauty that is unmatched. This is the correct option.

C. Red sandstone was not used for the construction of the Taj Mahal. Instead, it was used for other important buildings of the Mughal age like the Red Fort. So, this is not the correct option.

D. Limestone was not used for the construction of the Taj Mahal. Limestone is also popular for buildings but it wasn't used for the Taj, so it is not the correct option.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option B.

Note: The construction of the mausoleum began in 1632 AD and was completed in 1648 AD. Later on, the mosque, guest house and outer cloisters were added and completed in 1652 AD. The main architect of the mausoleum was Ustad Ahmad Lahori. In 1983, the Taj Mahal was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 2007, it was declared as one of the seven wonders of the world.