This children’s article, The Taj Mahal: A love story in stone, has been written for native English speakers and learners of English as a second or foreign language. It can help children build vocabulary, learn about history, and explore one of the world’s most famous buildings. Written by Mark Pulley, a teacher and writer who creates fun and informative news articles for English learners.
The emperor and his queen
On 17 June 1631, a woman named Mumtaz Mahal died while giving birth to her 14th child. She was the beloved wife of Shah Jahan, the emperor of the Mughal Empire in India. The two had been married for 18 years and were known for being deeply in love.
Shah Jahan was heartbroken when she died. He promised to build her the most beautiful tomb the world had ever seen. That tomb became the Taj Mahal, one of the most famous buildings in the world today.
A giant team effort
Building the Taj Mahal was not easy. It took more than 20,000 workers, 1,000 elephants, and over 20 years to complete. The white marble came from far away and was brought to the building site in Agra, India. Builders, artists, and stone-carvers from all over the empire helped to make it perfect.
The Taj Mahal has a giant dome in the centre, beautiful gardens, and walls decorated with writing and flowers carved into stone. Inside, there is a quiet room with the tombs of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan.
A wonder of the world
Today, the Taj Mahal is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Millions of tourists visit every year to see its beauty up close. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which means it is protected for future generations to enjoy.
People from around the world see the Taj Mahal as a symbol of love. It reminds us how far someone can go to honour a promise and how art and architecture can tell a beautiful story.
Article vocabulary list
- Tomb – A special building or place where someone is buried
- Marble – A hard, shiny stone often used to build beautiful buildings
- Empire – A large group of countries or areas ruled by one person or government
- Carve – To cut shapes or patterns into something
- Dome – A rounded roof on top of a building
- Heritage – Things from the past that are important and worth protecting
- Symbol – A picture, object, or place that stands for a special idea
- Promise – When you say you will definitely do something
Comprehension questions
Just click the plus (+) to see the answer
1. Who was Mumtaz Mahal?
a) A famous artist in India
b) The emperor’s wife, who died in 1631
c) A builder who worked on the Taj Mahal
Answer: b) The emperor’s wife, who died in 1631
2. How long were Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal married?
a) 10 years
b) 18 years
c) 25 years
Answer: b) 18 years
3. What is the Taj Mahal made of?
a) Wood
b) Brick
c) White marble
Answer: c) White marble
4. How many people helped build the Taj Mahal?
a) Over 2,000
b) Over 20,000
c) Over 200
Answer: b) Over 20,000
5. What does the Taj Mahal symbolise today?
a) Science and technology
b) Wealth and power
c) Love and beauty
Answer: c) Love and beauty
Mark is a writer and EFL teacher from England with eight years’ experience. He’s passionate about travel, sport (especially football), animals, nature, and history, and enjoys helping children explore the world through language and learning.
