The guide was sulking, the mid-day sun was relentlessly hot and I could feel my skin burn. But I was oblivious to all but the shimmering marble structure in front of me—the tomb of I’timad-ud-Daulah, with the local sobriquet of Baby Taj or Mini Taj.
Located on the western bank of the Yamuna river, the tomb complex was built by Noor Jehan (queen of Emperor Jehangir, the fourth Mughal Emperor) for her father, Mirza Ghiyas Beg and mother. Mirza Beg started off as an accountant in the Mughal court and rose to the rank of Lord High Treasurer or I’timad-ud-Daulah. And therein lies the name of the tomb, which was built between 1622 and 1628.
The tomb 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.
The entrance to the tomb complex is through a red sandstone gateway. There are four sandstone gateways to this walled complex, one gateway in the centre of each wall. Each wall has been decorated with inlay work, with the main gateway and the one facing the Yamuna having the most intricate designs on them.
A special feature of the inlay work on all the gateways is that the designs, particularly at the lower levels, create an illusion of a marble jaali. So cleverly is this done that I actually went closer to confirm that it was inlay work and not a jaali. Another interesting feature of the gateways is the complete absence of inscriptions on them. The Yamuna facing gateway appears to have been built as a place that visitors could relax or meet and its interiors have fading remains of some badly damaged fresco work. The view of the tomb from each of the gateways is quite striking, especially when viewed like the photograph below.
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.
When I can tear my eyes off the richly decorated walls, I notice the delicate jaali work, so typical of Mughal architecture. I also notice that in addition to Noor Jahan’s parents buried in the central vault, there are other cenotaphs as well in the different chambers leading off from the central one. The guide informs me that belong to the various relatives of Noor Jehan.
A walk around the complex reveals small outbuildings, a garden and empty water channels. It also reveals an almost complete absence of tourists, something that I welcome, but again something that I cannot help wondering about. If not for anything else, shouldn’t tourists be coming to see the structure that is reported to have inspired the design of the Taj Mahal? Architecturally too, this structure represents an important transition from red sandstone to white marble for the Mughals.
It is almost 2 pm by the time I finish my walk around the complex. The guide is still upset over the fact that I have spent a ‘disproportionate’ amount of time, according to him at the lesser monuments like this one and Akbar’s Mausoleum, and too little time at the Taj. I only anger him further by saying that I want to spend some time at the gateway by the Yamuna.
As I gaze at the Yamuna, I see tall brick chimneys of the once active and polluting industries still standing tall as a reminder of the days when they were functional. Today, they only make for a stunning, but silent backdrop. Looking back to gaze at the tomb of I’timad-ud-Daulah, I try t imagine the place at sunset, with all the semi-precious stones lighting up to create what must be a golden glow around the monument, which for many is Baby or Mini Taj but for me will always be Agra’s other Taj.
So which name do you prefer? 🙂
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
Read more other places to visit in Agra:
- Fatehpur Sikri: Poetry in red sandstone and blue skies
- The Taj Mahal: An Ode to Perfection and Symmetry
- Akbar’s mausoleum: Forgotten, but not neglected, at Sikandra
- The Christian mausoleums of Agra
- Qila-i-Akbari: The red fort of Agra
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Then it must go into your list of places to visit. 😀
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Sudhaji…wapis kab ja rahe ho? Would love to see Agra with you once again… 🙂
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😀 Well, Shraddhaji, given a choice I would love to go back at the earliest. I need to go back to explore Agra Fort. Though I visited Agra Fort, it was a complete disaster as I was totally sunvburnt by the time I reached there inspite of slathering myself with sun block, wearing a hat, etc. Plus, I had a sulky guide, remember? It didn’t help that there were too many crowds and it felt like a mela. And I would love to go with you.
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Fascinating Snaps 🙂
http://deepakkarthikspeaks.blogspot.com/
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Thank you, Deepak. Have you visited Agra?
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Once again, thanks for sharing. Nice pictures. 🙂
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Thanks, Nona. 😀 The monument is a beautiful place and the pictures also had to be nice.
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Agra is more than Taj Mahal . Thanks for sharing
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Yes, Agra is definitely more than the Taj. I just wish that tourists, guides and the others involved in the tourism marketing realise it. The monuments in Agra, Fatehpur Sikri and Sikandra represent a rich history of the development of Mughal architecture and if seen and appreciated in context, can provide a discerning visitor a travel experience of a lifetime.
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You have done such an exhaustive round up of the Mughal monuments that you can write a book on the whole thing by now. Idea kaisa hai? It was sad to see the semi-precious stones having been gouged out of the inlay work at places. Add me to your entourage the next time you visit the Agra belt. 🙂
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Thanks, as always, for your comments, Zephyr. You sound like my friend Deepa, who is always after me to write a book. And I always tell her, as I say to you, I am not ready to write one. Maybe one day. 🙂
And I have not done an exhaustive round of the monuments in Agra; I have only seen the main monuments and not many of the smaller ones like Chini ka Rauza. And though I visited Agra Fort, it was a rushed one and a bit of a disaster. The next time I visit Agra, the Fort will be on top of my list. And yes, you are added to the entourage. 😀
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Thanks for throwing light on such a lovely monument & educating me.
HAPPY THANKS GIVING.
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Happy Thanksgiving to you too, Arnavaz. I’m so glad that you enjoyed this visit to Agra’s other Taj. 🙂
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exquisite work indeed!
frankly dont remember visiting this taj and if i ever visit agra again will surely do so!
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At first glance, this ‘other Taj’ is quite squat and broad to look at. And then when you see the inlay work and the way the sun shines on it and the interiors, its appeal grows and suddenly it is a different monument all together.
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Fantastic report and fascinating pictures
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Welcome to my blog, Padmapriya, and thank you for stopping by and commenting. I’m glad that you liked the post. Keep visiting.:-)
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Beautiful!! and so many visitors to the taj wouldnt even be aware of this!!
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Thank you, Anu. If you one goes by the number of visitors that this place has, then yes, most people do not know about this.
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Lovely…:) The other Taj is an apt name..
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Thank you, Pallavi. Glad you liked it 🙂
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Lovely description and beautiful images. Next year, I have a meeting in Agra, I will remember to visit it! 🙂
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Thank you, Sunil.
Agra’s other TajIhe I’timad-ud-daulah will not disappoint 🙂LikeLike
The fresco paintings and the inlay works inside the tomb are a treat to watch……great pics and great observation indeed!!!
From: http://www.sriramnivas.com
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Welcome here, Sriramnivas, and thank you for stopping by and commenting. I am so glad that you liked the write-up and the pictures. Keep visiting. 🙂
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One more reason to go back to Agra 🙂 .. Btw there is a temple made of marble being built for more than 100 years and expected to take 100 more years. Have you seen it? Its in Agra.
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Really? I didn’t know about it. Well, that this temple will be on the list of things to see the next time I am in Agra 🙂
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Nice informative article. Photographs are really beautiful, especially the inlay work and the gateway along the banks of Yamuna.
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Welcome here, Ashwini, and thank you so much for stopping by and commenting. The I’timad-ud-Daulah is may not be as “good-looking” as the Taj, but the level of inlay work and the quality is as good, if not better than the Taj. Do visit this place, if you are ever in Agra.
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I recently read a few of Indu Sundaresan’s works and have so much more appreciation for this structure. To have inspired the Taj is no mean task. And it was commissioned by a very remarkable woman. I had no clue Mehrunnisa or Noor Jehan was such an influential woman or that she was loved to the exclusion of all other women in Jehangir’s harem.
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