A real tale from the crypt. In 1970 on first trip to India my plan was to concentrate on Kashmir, but travel agent said "you're so close, take a couple of days to visit the Taj Mahal".
At the site I spoke with another traveller, probably about photography. He came back after we parted to inform me that for 10 rupees there was a special tour into the crypt. I don't think this was a sanctioned thing but a side scam to add to the guards pension fund. I coughed up the needed coins, equal to a little over a dollar and rushed to join the group. I remember a metal door and narrow staircase going down. By the time I arrived in the crypt the spiel the other guard had delivered was over and everyone filed back up leaving me alone for a few seconds. Felt a little cheated missing the spiel and not having more time. At least get a photo.... Only problem, the M4 and 21mm SA that I was holding was loaded with Kodachrome 64, not the ideal film for available light. No time to dig the other M4 loaded with Tri-X out of the camera bad and change lenses. A quick meter reading gave 1/8" @ f/3.4 Hold breath.... snick.
I ran up the stairs to rejoin the group as getting locked in would not be funny,_____ made it just in time!
This is not the main chamber where Shah Jahan and Mumtaz are, but one of the outer chambers meant for other members of the royal family.
The door on the right is where the stairs were,
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