Inside the Taj Mahal’s locked chambers: What is the real reason behind the closed doors of the monument

The Taj Mahal is a symbol of eternal love and an architectural marvel, which also holds a place among the seven wonders of the world. It is well known across the world for its pristine white marbles, detailed lattice work, and beautiful marble design that sits on the breathtaking riverfront in Agra, India.

Despite having all these allocades to its name, it is often surrounded by mysteries and controversies as to what lies inside its 20+ closed doors.

Built in the 17th century by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, the monument attracts millions of visitors each year.

The sealed chambers beneath the Taj Mahal were part of a larger architectural feature called the tahkhana. This was an underground structure designed to provide a cool retreat during the scorching Indian summers. According to a BBC report, Ebba Koch, a leading expert on Mughal architecture, documented 15 such rooms aligned along the riverfront terrace. Among these were seven spacious rooms with niches, six square chambers, and two octagonal rooms, all originally decorated with geometric and star-patterned painted designs.

Such underground galleries were a common feature in Mughal architecture, designed for practical purposes and aesthetic appeal. According to BBC, similar vaulted rooms are found at Mughal forts, such as those in Lahore, Pakistan.

The rooms in the Taj Mahal’s tahkhana were built not only to provide relief from the heat but also as part of the overall symmetrical and functional design of the mausoleum complex.

Shah Jahan is believed to have arrived by boat on the Yamuna River, accessing the monument through the riverfront steps and possibly entering these chambers during his visits. Over time, however, natural disasters and decay led to the rooms being sealed off from public access.

Delhi-based historian Rana Safvi told BBC that these chambers were opened for public till the flooding of the Yamuna River in 1978 caused considerable damage to some underground chambers, resulting in silting and structural cracks. Since then, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has sealed the rooms to safeguard the monument’s stability.

Previously, the ASI had released some photos of these chambers, showing restoration work which had been put into place some years ago. The ASI occasionally opens them for restoration activities, involving repairs to plaster, walls, and staircases, as documented in its January 2022 newsletter. While these chambers have been closed to regular visitors for decades, they remain an important focus for conservation efforts to preserve the Taj Mahal’s integrity.

The 22 sealed rooms at the Taj Mahal have been the subject of much speculation, including some claims that the monument was originally a Hindu temple or that the rooms contained hidden idols or treasures. As said by PN Oak, who founded an institute for rewriting Indian history in 1964, and claimed the same in his book, that the Taj Mahal was indeed a Shiva temple.