Taj Mahal was built by?

Appeared in: SGPGI Nursing Officer-2022

Explanation

The Taj Mahal was commissioned by the 5th Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan, as a mausoleum for his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal.
Construction began around 1632 in Agra, India, and the main structure was completed by 1643, with the entire complex finished around 1653.
It is renowned for its white marble structure, symmetrical design with a large central dome, four minarets, and intricate inlay work known as pietra dura.
The monument is a pinnacle of Mughal architecture, a style that blends Indian, Persian, and Islamic influences.

Option A: Akbar was Shah Jahan's grandfather. While a great builder, his major projects included the city of Fatehpur Sikri and the renovation of the Agra Fort.
Option B: Humayun was Shah Jahan's great-grandfather. His tomb in Delhi, while an important piece of Mughal architecture, predates the Taj Mahal and was commissioned by his widow.
Option C: Aurangzeb was Shah Jahan's son who overthrew him. His reign is associated with fewer grand architectural projects. The Bibi Ka Maqbara, a tomb for his wife, was built during his time but is a different monument.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Mughal History and Architecture as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
This is a general knowledge question, often included in the non-nursing sections of competitive exams to assess a candidate's broader awareness.
Familiarity with major world heritage sites and historical figures is a component of general intelligence and cultural literacy.
What if the question asked about the primary material used? The answer would be white marble, a key identifying feature of the monument.

How to Approach the Question

Identify the core of the question: It's a factual recall question asking for the builder of a specific monument (Taj Mahal).
Scan the options: The options are all Mughal emperors.
Access historical knowledge: Recall or deduce the timeline of the Mughal emperors and their major architectural contributions.
Associate the monument with the correct ruler: Connect the Taj Mahal with Shah Jahan and his wife Mumtaz Mahal.
Eliminate incorrect options: Rule out other emperors by linking them to their own famous constructions (e.g., Akbar with Fatehpur Sikri, Aurangzeb with Bibi Ka Maqbara).

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full SGPGI Nursing Officer-2022

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.