Taj Mahal in Madhya Pradesh: Businessman builds Rs 2 crore replica, one-third original size, for his wife

In a gesture of affection for his wife, Anand Prakash Chouksey constructed a scaled-down version of the Taj Mahal over three years at a cost of Rs 2 crore in Burhanpur, a city in central India's Madhya Pradesh state. The miniature replica, completed in 2021 and home to Chouksey and his wife Manjusha, stands 800 kilometres from Agra and serves as both a monument to his devotion and a functional family residence where the couple continues to live together. A video showcasing the replica uploaded by an Instagram influencer has garnered close to 200 million views, bringing the project widespread attention online.

The undertaking presented considerable challenges. Chouksey sourced Makrana marble from the same quarries that supplied the original 17th-century structure commissioned by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his queen, Mumtaz. He brought specialist artisans from Agra and Rajasthan to execute intricate stone carving and inlay work, and engaged experts in Surat to craft Mughal-inspired furniture. The team rebuilt walls, arches and other elements multiple times to achieve precise alignment with the original proportions.

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Four-bedroom home with symbolic buffalo motif

The two-storey, four-bedroom structure incorporates architectural elements drawn directly from Shah Jahan's monument. It features a specially designed meditation room and minarets that capture light as they appear in photographs, operating at one-third the scale of the original. The home also includes intricate stonework featuring a buffalo positioned within the design, a motif Chouksey included to signify his and his wife's humble beginnings. According to Chouksey, the buffalo serves as a reminder to remain grounded despite his accomplishments.


Chouksey's son, Kabir Chouksey, explained the meticulous nature of the construction in an earlier account: "We wanted to make an exact miniature version of the Taj Mahal, perfectly to scale, to the centimetre. So, we had to build, demolish and rebuild the walls multiple times to bring it to perfection. We had to rebuild some arches three to four times because there was some difference; sometimes the difference was so tiny that it was negligible to the eye. But we thought that since we are building something good, there should not be any missed opportunity or any regret."

Meditation space reflects wife's wishes

When asked about the design by Reuters in 2021, Chouksey noted his wife's primary request for the home. "She only had one demand with this house. She wanted a good meditation room. It is in the best location inside the house. Since it is a dome-styled house, it is ideal for meditation and peaceful relaxation," he said.

The dome structure, according to the couple, generates what they perceive as positive energy. Speaking to NDTV, Chouksey remarked, "She says the dome creates a different environment and there is a lot of positive energy."

A living tribute to devotion

Unlike the original Taj Mahal, which stands as a tomb, this replica functions as an active home where Chouksey and his wife reside and share their life together. Chouksey has attributed his motivation to his wife's steadfast support. "She is happy with me in every situation, all ups and downs. She always supports me irrespective of my gift," he said, noting that her loyalty means more to him than the structure itself.

Family also operates India's largest gurukul

Beyond the Taj Mahal replica, Chouksey and his wife operate a gurukul, which they claim is the largest of its kind in India, with an enrollment of 2200 students. The educational institution reflects the couple's commitment to community development alongside their personal endeavors.