Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daula, commissioned by Nur Jahan and built between 1622 – 1628.
The Emperor Jahangir, son of Akbar and formerly known simply as Prince Salim, reigned from 1605 – 1627 in his father’s capital city of Agra.
Like his father, Jahangir was a patron of the arts, with himself being known as a great connoisseur of art. Unlike his son, Shah Jahan, however, he did not leave much by way of architecture, in the city of Agra, or at least, not much of it has survived.
Prince Salim, the future Jahangir enthroned, c. 1600. [Public Domain.]
One of the most architectural legacies of his reign, was not commissioned by him, but by his favourite wife, Nur Jahan (“Light of the World”), whom he married in 1611, after (so rumours say) conspiring to have her husband – she was previously married – killed off so he could have her.
Jahangir and Prince Khurram entertained by Nur Jahan, c. 1640-50. [Public Domain.]
The entire mausoleum is constructed in white marble inlaid with semi-precious stone, a technique heavily influenced by Safavid styles in the West, but came to be the epitome of Indo-Persian architectural style. Nicknamed the “Baby Taj”, this mausoleum represents a transition between early Mughal red sandstone architecture to the Taj Mahal, and is often cited as an inspiration for the latter.
Situated on the banks of the Jamuna River like its more famous relative, it is one monument in Agra not to be missed.
Akbar’s Tomb at Sikandra
Entrance to Tomb Complex is by the South Gate.
Nearby sits the Kanch Mahal, or “Glass Palace”, built by Jahangir.
Facade of the Kanch Mahal.
Back to the South Gate of the Tomb Complex.
Close-up of the entrance, revealing the intricate decoration in red sandstone.
Approaching the mausoleum.
View of the Mausoleum’s south-facing facade.
Note the intricate upper floors of the tomb structure, in particular the white marble screens with accompanying marble chhatris.
Further approaching the structure.
Unfortunately, the closer one gets to the tomb structure, the less one is able to see the upper floors.
Interior of the cenotaph.
The highly elaborate and beautiful ornamentation of the ceiling in the cenotaph. This has roots in Safavid Persian architectural and interior design.
The corridors
Muqarnas features.
Deer on the grounds of the tomb complex.
Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daula
Entrance to the Tomb structure.
Approaching the heartbreakingly exquisite “Baby Taj”.
The Mausoleum itself, constructed in white marble, inlaid with semi-precious stones. The structure, with its four minarets, echoes that of the Taj Mahal, to come later.
Close-up of a minaret – every inch of the surface of the marble is decorated.
Detail of the facade. Note the beautiful latticed window.
More details of the facade. This is the entrance to the cenotaph.
The interior of the cenotaph is also exquisitely ornamented, though in a slightly poorer condition than that of Sikandra. The cypress trees draw from Persian tradition.
Detail of interior ornamentation.
“Zoom out” to demonstrate the extent of ornamentation (and disrepair).
Detail of ceiling ornamentation, in a rather poor condition.
Detail of ceiling ornamentation.
Enjoying the tomb in the evening.
A backward glance at the Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daula, and Jahangir and Nur Jahan’s Agra.
Essential Reference:
- Agra – The Architectural Heritage. An INTACH Roli Guide. By Lucy Peck, 2008. New Delhi: Lotus Collection – Roli Books.
Dream Of A City 