Natwarlal

Natwarlal was the alias of Mithilesh Kumar Srivastava, an Indian confidence trickster associated with impersonating officials and fraudulently selling famous landmarks, including the Taj Mahal.

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Taj Mahal: A white-marble mausoleum in Agra, commissioned by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan for Mumtaz Mahal. Natwarlal is famously said to have sold this monument despite having no authority over it.
Confidence trick: A fraud that wins a target’s trust before exploiting it for money or advantage. Natwarlal’s alleged landmark deals fit the pattern of fraud built on credibility.
Indian media: Newspapers, broadcasters, and other news organizations operating in India. Reports and retellings helped preserve and amplify Natwarlal’s reputation.
Historical source criticism: The evaluation of sources to assess their origin, reliability, and evidentiary value. It helps distinguish documented events in Natwarlal’s life from later embellishments.
Red Fort: A historic Mughal fort in Delhi, built under Shah Jahan and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stories about Natwarlal also claim he fraudulently sold this Indian landmark.
Social engineering: The manipulation of people into revealing information or taking actions that benefit an attacker. The supposed sales relied on persuading others to accept his invented authority.
Popular culture of India: The shared entertainment, stories, and cultural practices produced and consumed in India. Natwarlal became a popular-culture figure beyond accounts of his alleged crimes.
Legend: A traditional or popular story associated with a person or place, often blending history and invention. Natwarlal’s reputation combines reported crimes with stories whose details remain uncertain.
Rashtrapati Bhavan: The official residence of the president of India, located in New Delhi. Accounts of Natwarlal’s exploits include an alleged sale of this presidential residence.
Forgery: The creation or alteration of documents or objects with intent to deceive. False credentials or paperwork can reinforce the official identities used in such schemes.