9 Taj Mahal Replicas Around The World That You May Not Be Aware Of

When Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan ordered the construction of the Taj Mahal for his wife, Arjumand Banu Begum (more popularly known as Mumtaz Mahal), he had no idea that what he is building will go on to become one of the best and most valuable buildings in the world.

This building is the perfect amalgamation of love and art that even after being a false tomb, millions of people visit every day just to see it. The Taj Mahal is a white marble mausoleum located in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, and is considered one of the seven wonders of the world.

The Taj Mahal, one of the most popular tourist destinations on earth, is an octagonal structure that incorporates features of Islamic, Persian, and Indian architecture which is unique on its own.

In 1983, UNESCO designated the Taj Mahal as a World Heritage Site, elevating it to the status of the most significant national monument. The architecture has continued to inspire people for more than 350 years.

However, it is natural that many people from all around the world tried to replicate the structure in their own countries.

So, let’s find out more about these replicas of the Taj Mahal from all around the world:

1. Taj Mahal, China

China is known for replicating well-known items from across the world, including buildings, military hardware, and even mobile phones. But did you know that China also constructed a Taj Mahal replica?

You did read that correctly. In Shenzhen, in a theme park similarly called Window of the World, China also has its own Taj Mahal. In addition to a duplicate of the Taj Mahal, the park also contains a scale model of the Eiffel Tower and the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

2. Royal Pavilion, Brighton, UK

Britishers, who plunder our nation for more than 200 years, have their own Taj Mahal in Brighton, England. Early in the 19th century, George, Prince of Wales, had his old royal house, the Royal Pavilion, erected as a beach retreat.

It is frequently referred to as the Brighton Pavilion. The Indo-Saracenic architectural style that predominated in India in the 19th century served as inspiration for this building, which is why there is a striking similarity.

3. Taj Arabia

Dubai, one of the most significant cosmopolitan cities in the world and the home for everything from window shopping and opulent hotels, has also constructed a replica of the Taj Mahal that is spread across an area of 210000 sq feet, which is approximately 4 times bigger than the original monument.

The 20-story Taj Arabia hotel has 350 rooms, as well as restaurants, serviced apartments, and bridal apparel shops. According to TOI, the location is home to several residential and commercial structures with architecturally inspired landscaping.

4. Taj Mahal, Bangladesh

In the nation’s capital, Dhaka is where Bangladeshi director Ahsanullah constructed the Taj Mahal of Bangladesh as a backdrop for a film. In 2008, he made his effort, Copycat Taj Mahal, public.

When he first viewed the original Taj Mahal in 1980, the thought of building a copy for his nation crossed his thoughts.

5. Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi

Humayun’s Tomb, which is in Delhi, was constructed in 1560 and is the first garden tomb in the Indian subcontinent, making it more ancient than the Taj Mahal. It sparked a number of significant architectural advancements that culminated in the Taj Mahal’s construction.

Empress Bega Begum, also known as Haji Begam, who served as Humayun’s first wife and primary consort, gave the order for the construction of his tomb. The Mughal Garden tomb was constructed by Persian and Indian craftsmen and is far larger than any other tomb ever constructed in the Islamic world.

The ‘Dormitory of the Mughals’ is another name for Humayun’s garden tomb, where more than 150 Mughal family members are buried. In 1993, UNESCO designated the tomb as a World Heritage Site.

6. Taj Mahal Houseboat, Sausalito, California

When Bill Harlan, a property developer turned winery and vineyard businessman, visited India in the middle of the 1970s, he was captivated by the Taj Mahal and made the decision to build a copy of it.

When he travelled to Dal Lake from Kashmir, he had the thought of building a duplicate of Taj Mahal on the boat. In addition to having polished marble flooring, a wine cellar, a top-level solarium for relaxation, a sauna, and a secret elevator, the houseboat reportedly cost $2 million at the time. Before relocating to Napa in 2016, Bill lived aboard this houseboat for a number of years.

7. Bibi ka Maqbara, Aurangabad

Also known as the Mini Taj of the Deccan or the Poor Man’s Taj Mahal, the Aurangabad structure was created by Prince Azam Khan, the son of Aurangzeb, in honour of his empress-mother Rabia-ud-Daurani. This Taj Mahal model has four minarets, is surrounded by gardens, and is a beautiful spot to visit.

8. Mini Taj Mahal, Madhya Pradesh

Anand Prakash Chouksey, a besotted schoolteacher from Burhanpur in Madhya Pradesh, built a duplicate of the Taj Mahal, for his wife in an effort to replicate the most well-known example of marital devotion in history.

The 8,100 square foot structure, which took around 30 months to construct, features four bedrooms, a library, and a meditation area. To keep the precision and elegance of the old monument, the engineer who constructed the home encountered several difficulties.

9. Mini Taj Mahal in Bulandshahr

Many people are unaware that there was a contemporary “Shah Jahan” living among us. A retired postman named Faizul Hasan Qadri accomplished a similar achievement by creating a miniature Taj Mahal for his wife.

The cement and brick building created by Qadri on 5,500 square feet in the hitherto inconspicuous town of Kaser Kalan in the Dibai tehsil may not compare to the Taj, but it was built out of love.

The Taj replica was built on Tajamulli Begum’s tomb after Qadri, who had lost his wife to throat cancer in 2011, used all of his life’s wealth and sold a portion of his property.

But after being injured by a motorbike in November 2018, disaster struck the 82-year-old man. Hasan Qadri passed away in the hospital and is now buried next to his wife in the tomb he created for her.