Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Why a Taj Mahal in black was planned, but never got built

Black Taj Mahal was to be built by using a black marble made from carbonate minerals

Why a Taj Mahal in black was planned, but never got built

One of the seven wonders of the world and also recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Taj Mahal was built by Shah Jahan, in the Indian city of Agra. While everyone knows the monument and the love story behind it, nobody knows about this replica of this popular monument which was supposed to be built right on the other side of the banks of the Yamuna river, which flows right behind the Taj Mahal.

While the Taj Mahal was built using white marble, this black Taj Mahal was to be built using a black marble. This was to be a mausoleum for the emperor, made from carbonate minerals, as a shadow of the original Taj Mahal.


The black Taj Mahal never made it to the history pages because the project was never completed, but the indication of this project was made by a French traveller Jean Baptiste Tavernier who visited the Indian city Agra, located near India's capital Delhi in 1665 in his writings.

The reason stated in history was that Shah Jahan's son, Aurangzeb, took over the throne from him which eventually led to the incompletion of the project. The original plan was to recreate the Taj Mahal and build two bridges over the river possibly made of silver.

There are still ruins of this black Taj Mahal which are seen on the bank of the river Yamuna. The recent update on the black Taj Mahal dates back to the 1990s when the excavations carried out retrieved the discoloured white stones that had turned black. Archaeological digs in 2006 offered a more plausible explanation for the "Black Taj Mahal" legend.

By rebuilding a section of the pool in the Mehtab Bagh, researchers revealed a clear dark reflection of the actual Taj Mahal. This aligns perfectly with Shah Jahan's known love for symmetry and the deliberate placement of the pool itself.

When Shah Jahan was captured and jailed by his son, from his prison window he used to look at the view of the Taj Mahal in his last days and after he died he was buried along with his second wife Mumtaz. The dream of the black Taj Mahal remained incomplete.

Although, there are many theories, which are pointed out as myths, wonder how it would have been if India had this replica of world's wonder, the Taj Mahal.

More For You

Margot Robbie

Margot Robbie pictured at a past red carpet event

Getty Images

Margot Robbie’s Yorkshire hotel getaway during 'Wuthering Heights' shoot grabs attention

The Yorkshire Dales were buzzing with film crews and famous faces recently as Hollywood descended on the moors for a fresh take on Wuthering Heights. Margot Robbie, Jacob Elordi, and director Emerald Fennell were spotted shooting scenes for the upcoming adaptation of Emily Brontë’s classic in North Yorkshire’s scenic landscapes.

Between takes, the cast found comfort at Simonstone Hall in Hawes, a historic country house hotel that became their temporary home. Known for its scenic views and old-world cosy charm, the hotel hosted the likes of Robbie and Fennell, who were seen enjoying everything from hot tubs and firepits to traditional afternoon tea. Robbie reportedly left a handwritten thank-you note for staff, calling them “the best.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Neena Gupta

Neena Gupta fearlessly addresses uncomfortable truths

Getty

Neena Gupta calls womanhood a ‘curse’ and reflects on India's harsh realities

Veteran actress Neena Gupta is well-known for her unfiltered opinions, often addressing controversial topics head-on. Her recent comments on feminism, women’s safety, and the grim realities faced by women in India have once again stirred discussions across platforms. The 65-year-old actress, who has never shied away from speaking her mind, shared her candid thoughts during an appearance on Lily Singh's YouTube podcast.

During the heartfelt conversation, Gupta opened up about her take on feminism, societal expectations, and the day-to-day challenges that women in India—particularly poor women—face. Speaking about the struggles and societal hurdles, she conveyed a deep sense of despair over the condition of women in the country.

Keep ReadingShow less
Will 'Coolie' vs 'War 2' Be the Biggest Box Office Clash of 2025?

Rajinikanth in Coolie and Hrithik Roshan–Jr NTR in War 2 are set to dominate cinemas this Independence Day weekend

Instagram

Will Rajinikanth’s 'Coolie' vs Hrithik Roshan- Jr NTR’s 'War 2' be the biggest box office clash of 2025?

Independence Day 2025 is shaping up to be a key date for Indian cinema, with two high-profile films locking in the same release window. Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Coolie, starring Rajinikanth, will arrive in theatres on August 14, going head-to-head with War 2, the action-packed sequel from YRF featuring Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR.

The release announcement for Coolie came with a stylish poster of Rajinikanth in a rugged look, blood on his forehead, a whistle on his lips, and hair in disarray. The caption read, “Sound-ah yethu! Deva Varraaru,” confirming the global release date just a day before Independence Day. The poster stirred excitement online, with fans thrilled to finally get a date for what’s being described as one of Rajinikanth’s most intense roles yet.

Keep ReadingShow less
Rathi-LSG-IPL

Spinner Digvesh Rathi took 1-21 and dismissed Naman Dhir on 46. He was named player of the match. (Photo: X/@LucknowIPL)

Lucknow Super Giants beat Mumbai Indians by 12 runs in IPL 2025

LUCKNOW Super Giants defeated Mumbai Indians by 12 runs on Friday, with Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram scoring half-centuries and the bowlers holding off a late charge in the IPL match.

Mumbai were without former captain Rohit Sharma, who missed the game due to a knee injury sustained during training.

Keep ReadingShow less
Unveiling the Unique Air Conditioning of Ambani’s £1.4 Billion Mansion

One of the world’s most luxurious private homes – Antilia

Getty

Mukesh and Nita Ambani’s £1.4 billion Mumbai mansion's unusual air conditioning makes headlines

Mukesh Ambani, Asia’s richest man, and his wife Nita Ambani reside in one of the world’s most luxurious private homes – Antilia, a 27-storey personal skyscraper located on Altamount Road in Mumbai’s exclusive Cumbala Hill. Estimated to be worth approximately £1.4 billion (Rs 15,000 crore), Antilia is a towering symbol of opulence and modern design, setting global benchmarks for private residences.

One surprising aspect of this sprawling mansion is the unique air-conditioning system. Unlike conventional homes, Antilia does not have traditional AC units with outdoor condensers. Instead, the Ambanis have opted for a sophisticated, centralised cooling system designed to preserve the mansion’s aesthetics and interior elements. The temperature across Antilia is automatically regulated based on factors such as the materials used inside the home, including marble and floral installations, rather than being manually controlled room by room.

Keep ReadingShow less