Was the Taj Mahal built by slaves?

Answer 1

The Taj Mahal was not built by slaves; it was constructed by skilled artisans and laborers. Historical accounts suggest that thousands of craftsmen, including stonemasons, marble workers, and calligraphers, were employed and compensated for their work. The project was commissioned by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal and took around 22 years to complete, from 1632 to 1653. While there were reports of forced labor in some aspects of the Mughal Empire, the majority of those involved in the Taj Mahal's construction were likely paid workers.