22 LOCKED ROOMS OF TAJ MAHAL. WHAT’S THE SECRET?

WHERE ARE THE 22 LOCKED ROOMS OF THE TAJ MAHAL?

• The Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World is revered for its beauty and architecture.
• But apart from its stunning white marble and the famous love story, lies secrets that continue to puzzle people.
• One of the biggest mysteries is about the 22 locked rooms hidden beneath in the basement of the Taj Mahal and these rooms are strictly not for the general public as they are not allowed to enter.
• These rooms are situated beneath the main structure of the Taj Mahal.
• There are 4 big rooms and 18 small rooms, all locked away for decades and they lie below the famous Chameli floor, and access to them has been strictly prohibited.

WHAT’S HIDDEN BEHIND THESE DOORS AND WHY ARE THEY LOCKED?

• The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has kept them locked, and not much is officially shared about what lies inside, which only adds to the curiosity.
• No one knows the exact reason as to why these doors are sealed off, but authorities say it is for protection and safety of the monument.
• Some people believe that these rooms might hold royal treasures or important historical secrets.
• In the past, these doors had red stone frames, which have now been sealed off with bricks, adding to the mystery even more.
• Interestingly, all four minarets of the Taj Mahal are connected to this underground area. These towers support the main dome, but the paths leading through them have also been closed, likely to prevent structural damage. Over the years, this has led to many questions and theories.
• There are also beliefs that Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal’s real graves may be hidden inside these rooms. Some believe that the graves shown to visitors are only symbolic and the real tombs could be hidden in the basement.
• However, there is no solid proof, as these rooms have never been opened to the general public or researchers.
• According to some reports, these rooms were sealed during British rule, possibly when the British were searching for treasure. Later, they were left sealed in the name of preservation. Since then, the doors have remained closed, adding to the mystery.
• The public is strictly not allowed near these doors. There are guards and cameras installed for security.
• According to officials, opening these rooms might weaken the foundation of the Taj Mahal, which is why these rooms have been left sealed. Still, people continue to wonder what really lies behind them.
• Many are of the belief that the rooms may contain items made of gold and silver, or ancient documents.
• Others think that Mumtaz Mahal’s actual resting place and royal belongings might be hidden there.
• But without opening them, these ideas remain only guesses and historians and scientists too have not confirmed any of them.
• The ASI is responsible for taking care of these rooms. They have explained the structure is sensitive and could be harmed if disturbed.
• Pollution and changing weather also pose risks, so keeping them locked is seen as means to protect the monument.
• Whether these rooms will ever be opened is still unknown. Experts are considering using technology to scan the inside without causing damage.
• If one day they are opened, it could change the way we see Taj Mahal’s history. Until then, the mystery of the locked rooms will forever be a mystery.

Editor’s Note

• The Taj Mahal has always been more than a monument — it is poetry in marble, a timeless ode to love and loss. Yet, beneath its gleaming symmetry lies an enigma that defies centuries of scrutiny: the 22 locked rooms. These sealed chambers, untouched by light or footsteps for generations, have become the canvas for our collective imagination — a place where history, myth, and mystery blur together. The truth behind those doors may be mundane or monumental, but the curiosity they inspire reminds us why the Taj endures — not merely as a symbol of beauty, but as a keeper of secrets that continue to whisper through time.
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