Indian man who claims to be Akbar’s descendant says he owns the Taj Mahal—find out where he lives now

India's monarchical dynasties, once ruling large portions of the subcontinent, were in effect eradicated with the nation's declaration as a republic in 1947. With India's independence, the monarchy system was abolished de jure and democracy was in the spotlight. Even though royal rule has ceased, numerous offspring of these previously influential families remain living in India, profiting from a blood relationship with their vaunted forbears and, in numerous instances, claiming ownership of their ancestors' properties and lands. Among them are influential members like Maharani Rajikaraje Gaekwad and Princess Diya Kumari of Rajasthan, influential individuals from the royal circle living in India.


One such person creating ripples in the royal world is Prince Yakub Habeebuddin Tucy, who alleges being a descendant of the Mughal emperors. The prince has stepped into the limelight announcing himself as the sixth-generation heir of Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last emperor of the Mughals, which connects his lineage to great Mughal emperors like Aurangzeb, Shah Jahan, and Akbar. Prince Tucy has been in the news for claiming rights to some of India's most important symbols of Mughal heritage, such as the Taj Mahal and the problematic Ayodhya Ram Mandir site.
Currently, he lives in Hyderabad and is the Mutawalli and caretaker of Aurangzeb’s grave.

Prince Tucy's most notorious claim till date has been the one for owning the Taj Mahal, India's legendary white marble mausoleum erected by Shah Jahan for his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. His claim was made years ago and caused great media attention. To validate his claims, the prince even filed a DNA report before the Hyderabad court, which was reportedly admitted by the court, going to further strengthen his daring claims.
Apart from his assertion on the Taj Mahal, the prince was also embroiled in controversy during the Ayodhya Ram Mandir issue. At the center of controversy was land whose ownership belongs to many Hindus since they are sure that Lord Ram was born there, an icon in Hindu religion. Through the controversial argument that was rife at this time, Tucy rose to prominence when he challenged the Wakf board that had previously laid claim on the controversial property. As per the prince, if the property was connected to Babur, the Mughal emperor who had commissioned the building of the Babri Masjid on the land, then he and his family were the legitimate owners of it. He went on to declare that he had no problem if the Ram Temple were to be built on the property, even donating a golden brick for the temple itself along with the whole property in order to make the project feasible.

Apart from his purported claims over these heritage sites, Prince Yakub Habeebuddin Tucy is Mutawalli and Caretaker of Aurangzeb's Grave in Maharashtra. He takes charge of looking after the tomb of the controversial Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, who ruled much of India in the 17th century. The prince has been outspoken in calling for the protection of this historic monument, especially considering recent vandalism incidents. In one, Tucy petitioned the President of India, asking the government to do something to protect the monument. His petition stated, "I request the government to take measures to protect the monument/grave of Aurangzeb Alamgeer RH."
Prince Yakub Habeebuddin Tucy's public image is closely linked to his royal Mughal lineage. His fashion sense attests to the heritage, as he is typically dressed in the long, majestic robes and a similar cap that Mughal emperors used to wear. His fashion also supports the persona of a man of royal blood, one who prides himself on his heritage and the history that he comes from. His online profiles often reflect these traditional looks, harkening to the grandeur and gravitas of the Mughal empire.
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