Raaz Mahal

byNeal Nathan

The Palace of Secrets

An RTI petition about the Taj Mahal triggers mysterious deaths and an Interpol warning — Vijay Kumar hunts for the truth alone.

Overview

In Agra, the Bureau of Archaeology receives an RTI petition demanding the release of authentic historical evidence about the site on which the Taj Mahal stands. Before the inquiry can proceed, mysterious deaths begin, and Interpol issues a warning. Vijay Kumar, tasked with finding the truth, sets out on an international research journey in which he cannot trust anyone outside himself.

Raaz Mahal: The Palace of Secrets is a thriller built around one of India's most contested historical questions — what actually lies beneath the monument — and uses the machinery of a modern investigation: RTI filings, international surveillance, unexplained killings, and a protagonist navigating a world where every source has an agenda. Neal Nathan keeps the historical controversy as a live wire running through the plot rather than backstory, so the reader's uncertainty about what is true mirrors Vijay's.

For readers who like their thrillers anchored in a real place, a real argument, and the specific textures of contemporary India, Raaz Mahal offers a story where the stakes are historical as much as personal.

आगरा, भारत - ताज महल का शहर। ब्यूरो ऑफ़ आर्कियॉलजी को सूचना का अधिकार अधिनियम अर्थात् आरटीआई ऐक्ट के अन्तर्गत एक विचित्र याचिका प्राप्त होती है, जिसमें ब्यूरो से वर्ल्ड हेरिटेज स्मारक के कथानक के पीछे के प्रामाणिक ऐतिहासिक साक्ष्यों का खुलासा करने को कहा जाता है। रहस्यमयी मौतें और इण्टरपोल की एक चेतावनी मामले को और उलझा देते हैं। विजय कुमार सत्य की खोज में एक अन्तरराष्ट्रीय शोध-यात्रा पर निकलता है, जहाँ वह अपने अतिरिक्त किसी पर भी विश्वास नहीं कर सकता। क्या वह सच का पर्दाफ़ाश कर पाएगा, या फिर ... क्या यह सदैव के लिए एक रहस्य ही रह जाएगा... राज़?

Author

Neal Nathan photo
Neal Nathan

Neal Nathan studied Engineering, Information Systems, and Public Policy. He has had a long career in Information Technology and Management consulting in the public sector, working for technology, consulting, and advisory firms. He likes to read and has, over time, developed a keen interest in ancient, modern, and contemporary history and linguistics. 'Raaz Mahal - The Palace of Secrets' is his first novel writing venture. He lives in Washington DC with his wife and daughters. He can be reached at [email protected]

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