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ITMAD-UD-DHULAH
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 Itmad-ud-Daulah’s mausoleum. Itmad-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 Itmad-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.
ITMAD-UD-DAULAH’S TOMB
The tomb of Itmad-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 Itmad-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 Itmad-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
(Itmad-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.
Itmad-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 Itmad-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.
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