Itmad-Ud-Daulah Tomb

Behind the magical charm of Taj Mahal is the inspiration drawn from the brilliant artistic petra dura inlays of Itmad-ud-daulah. Situated on the banks of River Yammuna, this ornate structure with an abundance of marble lattice and mosaic works hold the grave of Mirza Ghiyas and many others. Nur Jahah, wife of Jehangir, built this mausoleum to rest her father’s remains. The design of the building was decided in the Char Bagh pattern by Mirza Ghiyas himself, many years before his death.

According to Islamic architectural style, the mausoleum is set in the midst of a green lawn, surrounded by geometrically designed water ways and paths. However, instead of domes that are found in the other Mugal structures, here there are no domes and the four corners of the tomb have octagonal shaped towers or minarets with a chatri. Though the structure is rated to be flawed in terms of architecture excellence, the intricate inlays through which the light penetrates giving a stunning attraction to the structure. Set on the banks of the Yamuna River, sun rays seep-in through the inlays and the mausoleum looks like a bejeweled ornament box. The petra dura inlays depict designs of flowers, animals, fruits, and even wine glasses with snake handle, and are decorated with precious stones like cornelian, jasper, lapis lazuli, onyx, and topaz.

Itmad-Ud-Daulah’s tomb heralds the beginning of a new phase in the mugal architecture. Instead of red stones, pure white marbles with elaborate inlays were used to make the walls and screens. There is a stunning range of geometrically designed arabesques and delicate jail (net) screens made of white marbles, through which light penetrates. The innovative styles that was introduced in Itmad-Ud-Daulah, was realized on a larger scale with architectural perfection while building the astonishing work of art and architecture, The Taj Mahal. As found in Taj Mahal, here also there are a number of out houses, and the mosoleum is set in a graden with waterways and paths. Ironically, as the symmetry of Taj Mahal is disturbed by having two tombs, at Itmad-Ud-Daulah also the symmetry is lost because the grave of Mirza Ghays and his wife are place at the centre of the structure.