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FACTS & FIGURES
Built in Between 1622 and 1628
Built by Nurjahan
Location Agra (Uttar Pradesh)
A MAGNIFICENT MAUSOLEUM
The city of Agra is full of architectural wonders. On one hand, it has
the famous Taj Mahal, and on the other hand, it has the Agra Fort and
Itimad-ud-Daulah’s mausoleum. Itimad-ud-Daulah’s tomb is a highly ornate
edifice, which is looked upon as an imminent precursor of the Taj Mahal
as far as elaborate carvings and inlay work are concerned. The tomb
marks a significant departure from the tombs of the Mughal dynasty built
before its construction. ISLAMIC STYLE OF ARCHITECTURE The pure white
and elaborately carved tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah conforms to the Islamic
style of architecture. The use of arched entrances, octagonal shaped
towers or minarets, use of exquisitely carved floral patterns, intricate
marble-screen work and inlay work are all representative of the Islamic
style. The absence of a dome and the presence of a closed kiosk on top
of this building and the use of chhatris (small domed canopies,
supported by pillars) atop the four towers (minarets) instead of proper
domes are reflective of local influence.
ITIMAD-UD-DAULAH’S TOMB
The tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah is as interesting as the life of the person
for whom it was built. Mirza Ghiyas-ud-din or Ghiyas Beg (later known as
Itimad-ud-Daulah) was a poor merchant and lived in Persia (modern-day
Iran). While on his way to India for business, his wife gave birth to a
baby girl. As the family was extremely poor and had nothing to eat, the
parents decided to abandon the child. However, the wails of the baby
girl forced the parents to come back and take her with them. The baby
girl brought a stroke of good luck to her parents, for Ghiyas Beg found
a caravan that straightaway took him to the court of the great Mughal
Emperor, Akbar. In the course of time, Ghiyas Beg rose to become a
minister and a trusted treasurer in Akbar’s court. After Akbar’s death
in 1605, his son Jahangir became the Mughal emperor, who made Ghiyas Beg
his chief minister or Wazir. Ghiyas Beg was also honored with the title
of Itimad-ud-Daulah or the pillar of the state.
Ghiyas Beg’s daughter grew up to be a beautiful lady and came to be
known as Mehr-un-Nissa or the sun of womankind. In the course of time,
the fame of her beauty spread. She was married off, but she soon became
a widow. She returned to the court of Jahangir where her father was
employed. Emperor Jahangir fell in love with her and married her. She
soon became a powerful personality in Jahangir’s court and was called
Nur Mahal, the light of the palace, and Nur Jahan, light of the world.
When Ghiyas Beg (Itimad-ud-Daulah) died in 1622, Nur Jahan undertook the
project to build his mausoleum. Later she built the tomb of her husband
(in a similar style) in Lahore. Nur Jahan had a brother whose daughter
was married to Jahangir’s son, Shahjahan. She was known as Mumtaz Mahal
in whose memory Shahjahan built the world famous Taj Mahal.
Itimad-ud-Daulah was buried in a tomb that resembles a jewel box and set
in a garden. This tranquil, small, garden located on the banks of the
Yamuna was to inspire the construction of the Taj Mahal in the later
years. It is the first tomb in India built entirely in white marble. The
tomb is also justly famous for the glorious pietra dura (stone inlay)
decoration depicting cypresses, wine glasses, and an amazing variety of
geometrical arabesque. The jali screens set in arched recesses are
splendid. Four small minarets rise at the four corners of the small tomb
structure.
The whole structure gives the impression of an enlarged precious object.
Due to the profusion of intricate work done on marble and the beautiful
marble screen-work, the tomb easily qualifies as a veritable forerunner
of the famous Taj Mahal.
HOW TO REACH
The tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah is located on the banks of the Yamuna, near
the Yamuna Bridge railway station. Agra is well connected by air with
Khajuraho, Varanasi, and Delhi. It has good rail and bus connections
with major Indian cities. One can travel to the tomb by making use of
taxi, tempo, auto-rickshaw, or cycle rickshaw. Prepaid taxis and autos
from the railway station are available. Prepaid transport is also
available for excursions in and around the city limits. Bicycles can
also be hired on hourly basis from different parts of the city. |
India
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