Did you know? See all facts 5. Sale of the Taj Mahal

Did you know that the Taj Mahal, one of Seven Wonders World, was sold thrice?
In 1830, during the reign of British colonial rule in India, a notorious hoaxster named Natwarlal routinely ensnared and beguiled unwitting tourists with falsified claims of owning the Taj Mahal. Traditional Indian attire donned, he masqueraded as official government personnel, regaling his would-be prey with elaborate tales of the monument's history, strategic importance and the dire need for its upkeep. This persuasive con artist was so successful that he managed to sell the magnificent mausoleum not once, not twice, but thrice. In all instances, Natwarlal's unsuspecting victims were none the wiser until they attempted to lay claim to their staggering acquisitions, subsequently attracting the attention of the authorities. Remarkably, despite being captured and escaping from jail an astounding nine times, ultimately to slip away from the long arms of the law for good, the audacious Natwarlal's story remains ingrained in the annals of India's colourful history as a testament to the power of persuasion under the guise of authority.

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