The Taj Mahal, the Mughal masterpiece in Agra, has cemented its status as the Archaeological Survey of India’s (ASI) golden goose, raking in the highest ticket sales among all protected monuments from FY19-20 to FY23-24.
Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat dropped the figures Thursday in a written reply to a Rajya Sabha query, mapping out the ASI’s top earners over the past five years.
Commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century, the ivory-white mausoleum—often hailed as one of the world’s most stunning structures—clinched the No. 1 spot annually. The data, laid out in a tidy table, didn’t spill exact rupees but left no doubt about the Taj’s dominance.
In FY19-20, Agra Fort and Delhi’s Qutub Minar trailed in second and third. The pecking order shuffled in FY20-21, with Tamil Nadu’s Mamallapuram Monuments and Odisha’s Sun Temple nabbing silver and bronze. By FY23-24, Qutub Minar and Delhi’s Red Fort reclaimed the runner-up spots.
The Taj’s ticket haul reflects its pull—7-8 million visitors yearly, including over 800,000 foreigners who fork out Rs 1,100 each versus Rs 50 for locals. Even during the pandemic’s lean years, it churned out crores, proving its allure is ironclad.
As of now, the numbers confirm what’s long been clear: the Taj isn’t just a monument—it’s a money-making marvel.