The tomb of I’timad-ud-Daulah, the resting place of Mirza Ghiyas Beg and his wife Asmat Begum, here lies the story of changing fortunes and undying fame. Few know it as the predecessor of the world heritage site Taj Mahal.
Tomb of I'timad-ud-Daulah is a Mughal mausoleum in the city of Agra in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Often described as a "jewel box", sometimes called the "Baby Tāj", the tomb of I'timād-ud-Daulah is often regarded as a draft of the Tāj Mahal.
History :
For most tourists, Agra begins and ends with the Taj Mahal. But there is a long story behind the birth of Taj Mahal, lying in the tomb of I’timad-Ud-Daulah, meaning pillar of the state. This is the story of Mirza Ghiyas Beg who rests in peace with his wife Asmat Begum at this tomb, constructed between 1622-28 by his daughter Noor Jahan. Mirza Ghiyas Beg lived in Persia and had a tough time after his father died. Tales of Emperor Akbar’s success in trade and arts in India were spreading, so Beg decided to travel to India for work. But misfortune smelled him in those days and the family was robbed of their meager possessions along the way. With two mules, a pregnant wife and three children (Muhammad Sharif, Asaf Khan and a daughter Sahlia), Ghiyas Beg arrived in Kandahar. Here, their second daughter was born, whom they didn’t know what to do with. But fortunes changed, and the family was given shelter in a caravan led by a merchant Malik Masud who also got him a job at Emperor Akbar’s court. Calling the second daughter his lucky mascot, Beg named her Mehrunnisa or ‘Sun among Women’. He kept rising and became the diwan (treasurer) for the province of Kabul and was awarded the title of I’timad-ud-Daulah.
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| The tomb of I’timad-ud-Daulah |
History :
For most tourists, Agra begins and ends with the Taj Mahal. But there is a long story behind the birth of Taj Mahal, lying in the tomb of I’timad-Ud-Daulah, meaning pillar of the state. This is the story of Mirza Ghiyas Beg who rests in peace with his wife Asmat Begum at this tomb, constructed between 1622-28 by his daughter Noor Jahan. Mirza Ghiyas Beg lived in Persia and had a tough time after his father died. Tales of Emperor Akbar’s success in trade and arts in India were spreading, so Beg decided to travel to India for work. But misfortune smelled him in those days and the family was robbed of their meager possessions along the way. With two mules, a pregnant wife and three children (Muhammad Sharif, Asaf Khan and a daughter Sahlia), Ghiyas Beg arrived in Kandahar. Here, their second daughter was born, whom they didn’t know what to do with. But fortunes changed, and the family was given shelter in a caravan led by a merchant Malik Masud who also got him a job at Emperor Akbar’s court. Calling the second daughter his lucky mascot, Beg named her Mehrunnisa or ‘Sun among Women’. He kept rising and became the diwan (treasurer) for the province of Kabul and was awarded the title of I’timad-ud-Daulah.
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| Tomb of Mirza Ghiyas Beg and Asmat Begum |
Mehrunnisa was the future Noor Jahan but none knew where the fortunes were going. Beg could afford to give her a sound education. She was well versed in Arabic, Persian, art, literature, music and dance. In 1611, she married Akbar's son Jahangir.
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| Noor Jahan with Jahangir |
Beg’s son Abdul Hasan Asaf Khan served as a general in Jahangir's court and his daughter Mumtaz Mahal (originally named Arjumand Bano) became the wife of emperor Shah Jahan. And Mumtaz Mahal has since been the epitome of undying love as she lives on in the famous Taj Mahal along with her husband.
The tomb of I’timad-Ud-Daulah was the first in India to be made of pure marble with inlaid floral patterns carved with genuine stones such as jade, rubies, lapis lazuli. It also has verses from the Quran written on it.
Tomb :
The tomb is Located on the western bank of the Yamuna river. It is rather squat and broad in appearance with hexagonal towers in each corner. Built on a low sandstone platform with marble inlay work on all four sides, like all Islamic structures, this one too is symmetrical. It is the presence of the two very different-sized and shaped trees on either side of the tomb that lessens the severity of the symmetry and actually gives it a slightly quirky look.
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| A view of The tomb of I’timad-ud-Daulah, from Yamuna side gateway |
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| The Gateway along the banks of the Yamuna |
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| The entrance to the tomb complex |
The tomb is built of white marble reportedly quarried from Rajasthan, and every inch of it is decorated with inlay work using semi-precious stones like topaz, lapis lazuli and onyx. Mirza Beg was from Persia and the design, motifs and style used in the tomb reflect his place of origin. From the use of cypress trees, wine cups, fruits, flower vases and rose water vessels as designs for inlay work or as fresco work, these symbols appear as a recurring theme both on the exteriors as well as the interiors of the tomb.
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| A view of The tomb of I’timad-ud-Daulah, from the west |
Entrance Fee:
Foreigners: Rs 110/-
Indians: INR Rs 10/-
Children below 15 years of age are allowed free entry.
Open on all Days
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