...The Emperor And The Empress...

In the morning, Dylan and the rest gathered in front of the hotel where Rahul was waiting for them. As soon as he saw them, he greeted them with a shining smile.

- Good morning everyone.

- Good morning, Rahul. You seem energetic.

- Of course, I am. We had a good sleep yesterday because of you.

- I'm glad to hear that. At least one of us got enough sleep.

Replied Dylan while looking at Laila, who was avoiding his glares.

- Rahul, can you bring us some coffee?

- Alright...

After that, Rahul bought coffee and some snacks, and they headed immediately to the Taj Mahal to see what was inside that beautiful building.

When they went in, they were amazed by the beauty of the place.

- How perfect!

- The interior walls are about 25 meters (82 ft) high and are topped by a "false" interior dome decorated with a sun motif. Eight pishtaq arches define the space at ground level and, as with the exterior. The four central upper arches form balconies or viewing areas, and each balcony's exterior window has an intricate screen or jali cut from marble. In addition to the light from the balcony screens, light enters through roof openings covered by chattris at the corners.

 Dylan noticed two fancy coffins in the main chamber.

- This must be the emperor and his wife's sarcophagi.

- No, they are not. ....

- What are those?

- What you are seeing are false sarcophagi of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan.

- Why would the emperor build false sarcophagi?

- No one knew the main reason. Some historians said that he was afraid that thieves will dig up his grave to look for a treasure that was buried with him.

- A treasure?

- Well, nothing is for sure. It could be only a made-up story. There is no official statement about it.

Aaron got near the false sarcophagi and touched them.

- This is interesting. Rahul, take us to the real ones.

Rahul took them downstairs to see the real coffins of the emperor and his wife.

- Be careful, The actual tombs of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan are on the lower level.

Laila, who was extremely tired, tripped and was about to fall. Fortunately, Dylan caught her at the right time.

- ARE YOU OKAY?

- I'm fine, it's just my head. It hurts so much.

They finally arrived at a plain crypt beneath the inner chamber where the bodies of Mumtaz and Shah Jahan were buried. Mumtaz Mahal's cenotaph is placed at the precise center of the inner chamber on a rectangular marble base.

There were guards everywhere so, they couldn't get closer to the sarcophagi. they could only look at them from afar. Both the base and casket are elaborately inlaid with precious and semiprecious gems. Calligraphic inscriptions on the casket identify and praise Mumtaz. His cenotaph is bigger than his wife's, but reflects the same elements: a larger casket on a slightly taller base precisely decorated with lapidary and calligraphy that identifies him. On the lid of the casket is a traditional sculpture of a small pen box. The Ninety Nine Names of God are calligraphic inscriptions on the sides of the actual tomb of Mumtaz Mahal. Other inscriptions inside the crypt include, "O Noble, O Magnificent, O Majestic, O Unique, O Eternal, O Glorious... ".

- Rahul, can you read what was written on the grave?

- Alright... " He traveled from this world to the banquet-hall of Eternity on the night of the twenty-sixth of the month of Rajab, in the year 1076 Hijri."

Dylan also noticed that Mumtaz's grave does not have a lower slab.

- Aaron, did you notice the difference between the real graves and the fake ones?

- Yes, it is obvious that the grave of the wife is missing a lower slab. Does that suppose to mean something?

Rahul interfered:

- It is because the king's grave should be bigger than his wife's.

- Or maybe there is another reason for that. We must check out the grave.

Dylan wanted to get closer, but the guards prevented him.

- We won't be able to check the graves for now.

- I think that won't be necessary.

- What do you mean, Sarra?

- I remember that Tarou kept checking the walls.

They looked at the walls and that's when they noticed that there were white marble dados sculpted with realistic bas relief depictions of flowers and vines. The marble has been polished to emphasize the exquisite detailing of the carvings.

Aaron put his hand on one of the carvings while looking confused:

- What's wrong, Aaron?

- I think I saw this one before!