India’s history has seen many legendary figures, but none as audacious as Natwarlal (born Mithilesh Kumar Srivastava), the master scammer who “sold” the Taj Mahal, Red Fort, and Rashtrapati Bhavan—not once, but multiple times!
The Greatest Heist: Selling National Icons
- Taj Mahal Scam: Posing as a government official, Natwarlal forged documents and “sold” the Taj Mahal to unsuspecting foreign tourists for lakhs of rupees. He pulled this stunt three times.
- Red Fort & Rashtrapati Bhavan: Using similar tactics, he even “auctioned” these landmarks, exploiting bureaucratic loopholes and gullible buyers.
A Conman with a Robin Hood Complex
- Forgery Genius: A trained lawyer, Natwarlal mastered signature replication, faking autographs of Dhirubhai Ambani, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, and others to draft fake deeds.
- Philanthropic Thief? He allegedly donated part of his loot to the poor, earning the nickname “Natwarlal” (a folk antihero).
- Prison Escape Artist: Sentenced to 113 years, he served barely 20—thanks to nine jailbreaks, including one where he disguised as an old man.
The Ultimate Con: His Own Death
- In 1996, his family claimed he died and was cremated. But his lawyer insisted Natwarlal was alive until 2009—leaving even his death shrouded in mystery.
“He didn’t just break the law—he mocked it, selling monuments under India’s nose.”
📌 Legacy: A Bollywood-worthy trickster who exposed gaps in India’s system—with a flair for drama.
🎬 *Fun Fact: His life inspired Amitabh Bachchan’s character in the film *”Mr. Natwarlal” (1979)**.
Verdict: Part villain, part folk legend—Natwarlal remains India’s most unforgettable fraudster.
