Marvels of the Mughals
You have traveled all the way to see the Taj Mahal—now what? Fortunately, the city of Agra is dotted with spellbinding architecture
- By Megan Gambino
- Smithsonian.com, August 17, 2011
The Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daula, Agra. (© ARCImages India / Alamy)
In Agra, on the Yamuna River just north of the Taj Mahal, Jahangir’s wife, Empress Nur Jahan, commissioned a tomb for her father, an official who served under both Akbar and Jahangir. Sometimes called the “Baby Taj,” the small, 250-square-foot tomb, built between 1622 and 1628, is a departure from the red sandstone architecture that came before it and the first example of the white marble style that Shah Jahan would become so taken with. The marble exterior of the mausoleum, which actually holds both Itmad-ud-Daulah and his wife entombed side by side as well as other relatives in adjoining rooms, is inlaid with semi-precious stones placed in intricate designs of trees, bouquets of flowers, wine glasses and fruit.
Comments (4)
magnificent structure--hopefully it will be preserved.
Posted by carl branch on November 5,2011 | 09:20 PM
I have read a private letter authored by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis discussing her great interest in this loooong forgotten garden area. She was writing to Elizabeth Moynahan - a noted student of Indian studies - urging her to do a book on this very property. She was so enthused with the then-just rediscovered garden design, she advised E.M if she were to writing a book on the subject, Mrs. Onassis would get it published! I would love to see this garden. Even thought it has not reached its maturity / and therefore its balance-in-design, I am sure it is on its way to being a magnificent and worthy place of natural wonder; someday, it will be a destination in its own right, not just a location to view others wonders from its lofty grounds.
Posted by Audrey Burtrum-Stanley on September 25,2011 | 01:33 PM
I love to read about the Taj Mahal. it a lovely story. thank you very much writing about it.
Posted by yvonne polk on September 16,2011 | 12:33 PM
Great picture. Too bad it's not offered in wallpaper sizes for download.
Posted by Mark C. on September 1,2011 | 01:07 PM