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Where is/are...?
Where Is the Taj Mahal?
Learn about the love story behind the creation of one of the most beautiful and famous buildings in the world.
The Taj Mahal may look like a palace, but it's actually a tomb and a lasting testament to one of the world's great love stories. In 1612, Mogul emperor Shah Jahan married Mumtaz Mahal. It had been love at first sight and for nineteen years they were so inseparable that Mumtaz even accompanied Shah Jahan to battlefields. When she died suddenly giving birth to their fourteenth child, the emperor set about building a magnificent memorial to his wife. Everything about the Taj was perfectly planned, from the white marble walls that shimmer in the sunlight and sparkle by moonlight, to the countless decorative flowers made from precious gems that still astound visitors today. Recent discoveries at the site make this a timely account of a timeless monument.
The Taj Mahal may look like a palace, but it's actually a tomb and a lasting testament to one of the world's great love stories. In 1612, Mogul emperor Shah Jahan married Mumtaz Mahal. It had been love at first sight and for nineteen years they were so inseparable that Mumtaz even accompanied Shah Jahan to battlefields. When she died suddenly giving birth to their fourteenth child, the emperor set about building a magnificent memorial to his wife. Everything about the Taj was perfectly planned, from the white marble walls that shimmer in the sunlight and sparkle by moonlight, to the countless decorative flowers made from precious gems that still astound visitors today. Recent discoveries at the site make this a timely account of a timeless monument.
112 pages, Library Binding
Published January 24, 2017
About the author
Dorothy Hoobler
105 books54 followersDorothy and Thomas Hoobler, a married couple who have written numerous books together, were drawn to this story of great writers inspiring each other collaboratively. Their most recent novel, In Darkness, Death, won a 2005 Edgar Award. They live in New York City.
Series:
* Samurai Detective
* Century Kids
* Her Story
* Images Across The Ages
* American Family Album
Series:
* Samurai Detective
* Century Kids
* Her Story
* Images Across The Ages
* American Family Album
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
March 28, 2020
Project Learning English on my own through children's books. This book was an OK read because the writing and the story aren't outstanding.
March 11, 2019
The 11-year old and I read this to complement our early modern history lesson about India. It offered some good details and information about the Taj Mahal and its history. However, I'm not so sure India's 1947 Independence went as well as this narrative leads readers to believe: "In 1947, India became independent. British rule was over. There was a ceremony at Shah Jahan's Red Fort at Delhi. It was a time of great hope and pride for the people of India." No mention of the hundreds of thousands of lives lost in the religious turmoil as a result of the partitioning of India. This might be a good read for very young readers. Perhaps pair this one with "The Night Diary" by Veera Hiranandani to learn a bit more about India's 1947 Independence.
March 13, 2020
Easy reading and interesting look at the history of the Taj Mahal. A lot of focus on the time period and reasoning for building it.
November 17, 2019
I was impressed how much information was packed into this small book. Also, the illustrations were helpful for discussion as much as they were interesting.
July 12, 2018
I really do love this series. Great history packed into accessible nuggets for kids. It was fun to learn the history of such a famous icon.
July 12, 2021
This book was wonderful. I learned a lot about the Taj Mahal. I originally thought it was a mosque, but it wasn't as I figured out in the book. The way it was made was beautiful, and the detail that went into it was amazing. The fact that it was symmetrical is just brilliant.
February 27, 2018
Another book I read in one sitting though I foresee many of my students reading it in several sittings. I knew nothing about the Taj Mahal other than that it was in India and is a major tourist attraction. This book added much more detail to my paltry knowledge. I see some of the history, partly due to the writing, being a little confusing for children. I think I understood most from background knowledge I already had. It is a lot of information spanning many years in a short book. Keeping this in mind, it was very well done. My main issue is that it should really be called "What is the Taj Mahal? not "Where is the Taj Mahal?" I will read more in this series. It is not a quick read, but is an informative one.
April 28, 2017
Still admiring the information and the organization of this information series. It's got the right amount of information to satisfy readers and leaves them with enough connections if they want to go deeper. I learn a lot from each one I read.
November 20, 2017
This book was jammed-packed with information. I felt it thoroughly covered the topic of the structure itself, how it came to be built, and why it was built in the first place. Nicely done!
October 18, 2023
1. At its height of power, the Mogul Empire included parts of Pakistan and Afghanistan. The first six rulers of the Mogul Empire were probably the richest in the world at that time. The Moguls’ reputation for wealth made the name mogul a synonym for a wealthy person—as it still is today. (p. 9)
2. Most people in India were Hindus. So even though the ruling family members were Muslims, much of the ceremony followed Hindu customs. (p. 18)
3. Khurram started a rebellion against his father’s rule. It was unsuccessful. Even so, Khurram was able to gain his father’s forgiveness—on two conditions. Khurram and Mumtaz were sent away to live in exile. (p. 22)
4. Because the stone for the tomb was so heavy, this scaffold had to be made of bricks. When the construction project was completed, Shah Jahan was told it would take five years to take apart the scaffold. Instead he offered the bricks to anyone who would take them. They disappeared overnight. (p. 38)
5. The English word paradise comes from the Persian word pairidaeza, which means a “walled garden.” (p. 47)
6. The British had no respect for the historical monuments that the Indian people had built. Even the Taj Mahal was not valued for its beauty. A proposal was made to take apart the building and ship the marble to England. Fortunately, the plan proved too costly and was never carried out. Local people didn’t treat the Taj Mahal with respect either. In 1754, looters broke into the tombs under the sanctuary and stripped them of all their gold and jewels. (p. 57)
7. During this time, the British tried to show they were good rulers by restoring some of India’s monuments. The Taj was one. The British, however, were fond of lawns. They planted grass in the gardens where flowers and fruit trees once grew. This was not the paradise that Shah Jahan had envisioned. (p. 58)
2. Most people in India were Hindus. So even though the ruling family members were Muslims, much of the ceremony followed Hindu customs. (p. 18)
3. Khurram started a rebellion against his father’s rule. It was unsuccessful. Even so, Khurram was able to gain his father’s forgiveness—on two conditions. Khurram and Mumtaz were sent away to live in exile. (p. 22)
4. Because the stone for the tomb was so heavy, this scaffold had to be made of bricks. When the construction project was completed, Shah Jahan was told it would take five years to take apart the scaffold. Instead he offered the bricks to anyone who would take them. They disappeared overnight. (p. 38)
5. The English word paradise comes from the Persian word pairidaeza, which means a “walled garden.” (p. 47)
6. The British had no respect for the historical monuments that the Indian people had built. Even the Taj Mahal was not valued for its beauty. A proposal was made to take apart the building and ship the marble to England. Fortunately, the plan proved too costly and was never carried out. Local people didn’t treat the Taj Mahal with respect either. In 1754, looters broke into the tombs under the sanctuary and stripped them of all their gold and jewels. (p. 57)
7. During this time, the British tried to show they were good rulers by restoring some of India’s monuments. The Taj was one. The British, however, were fond of lawns. They planted grass in the gardens where flowers and fruit trees once grew. This was not the paradise that Shah Jahan had envisioned. (p. 58)
December 15, 2019
Where Is the Taj Mahal? by Dorothy Hoobler is a nice and concise overview of the history of one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. What impressed me about this book is that, after having visited the Taj Mahal in Agra, India, personally with a guided tour, I wasn't expecting to learn too much new information. But I was in for a surprise! Most people know that the Taj Mahal was built by the Mogal Emperor Shah Jahan as a tomb for his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal upon her death. It was built to meet the Islamic requirements for such a building with gardens and laid out to face in a specific direction. There were many other aspects and facts contained in this book that I was not aware of and, from that perspective, I found it very interesting. Whether you've actually been there and seen it or not, this will still be an informative and interesting read for you.
November 11, 2018
Where Is the Taj Mahal? explains what this magnificent building is and its purpose. It describes the history leading up to building the Taj Mahal, and the building process, too. It gives a detailed description of the features of this wonder and its surrounding grounds and buildings. It follows the Taj Mahal to the present day, describing the various times when it began to fall to ruin, as well as those efforts that were made to restore it. This is a wonderful book that provides children information about an incredible monument. It also gives them a peek into another culture and its customs.
March 11, 2021
This short book of nonfiction was not my favorite in the Where Is...? series. I did learn some interesting detail about this tomb (architectural wonder) and the enormous amount of wealth spent on its construction. I appreciate the love between husband and wife, but the vast expense invested in the resting place for one individual was so foreign and extravagant. I could not appreciate the beauty, the resources, and the dedication that went into glorifying the dead.
May 23, 2019
This series is really interesting, for adults as well as kids. I never really knew much about the Taj Mahal, but this beautiful building was inspired by a live story.
I enjoyed the history as well as the Muslim and Hindu customs.
I enjoyed the history as well as the Muslim and Hindu customs.
Read
January 5, 2018So much information in this, my first book read from this series!
August 25, 2018
A very interesting read. Kids will learn a lot about the building and culture.
Read
August 29, 2019I thought that this book was interesting because the Taj Majal was a grave that a king made for his wife after her death because he loved her.
January 9, 2021
A small book for a very good introduction of Taj Mahal. The legend/stories behind this impressive architecture is beyond me.
February 18, 2021
Great little book about Indian history and a beautiful building.
October 14, 2022
This book is old, but has some bits of helpful information.
February 11, 2023
A nice hystory of love.
June 7, 2023
Informative, loved it.
August 30, 2023
It's so interesting to learn about places like the Taj Mahal that I know about, but really don't know anything about. I learned a lot and enjoyed this book.
October 11, 2023
This is a good book for elementary and middle school kids.
October 28, 2023
Delightfully written middle reader about the Taj Mahal and the period of history in which it was built. I am really enjoying each book in this series.
March 24, 2017
i liked it
August 11, 2024
Library borrow
February 27, 2022
The book was very interesting because before I read it I did not think it was a tomb and I learned about the Moguls of ancient India.
October 25, 2022
This book is very interesting. I really enjoyed the book though I understand that India was not in the best time though I have to say why did Queen Victoria of England try to rule India? I love how it talks about how he tried to get the throne back though I do not like the son.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews