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Itmad-Ud-Daulah
FACTS & FIGURES 
Built in Between 1622 and 1628
Built by Nurjahan
Location Agra (Uttar Pradesh)
A MAGNIFICENT MAUSOLEUM
The city of Agra is full of architectural wonders. On one hand, it has the famous
Taj Mahal, and on the other hand, it has the Agra Fort and Itimad-ud-Daulah’s
mausoleum. Itimad-ud-Daulah’s tomb is a highly ornate edifice, which is
looked upon as an imminent precursor of the Taj Mahal as far as elaborate carvings
and inlay work are concerned. The tomb marks a significant departure from the
tombs of the Mughal dynasty built before its construction. ISLAMIC STYLE OF
ARCHITECTURE The pure white and elaborately carved tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah
conforms to the Islamic style of architecture. The use of arched entrances,
octagonal shaped towers or minarets, use of exquisitely carved floral patterns,
intricate marble-screen work and inlay work are all representative of the Islamic
style. The absence of a dome and the presence of a closed kiosk on top of this
building and the use of chhatris (small domed canopies, supported by pillars)
atop the four towers (minarets) instead of proper domes are reflective of local
influence.
ITIMAD-UD-DAULAH’S TOMB
The tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah is as interesting as the life of the person for
whom it was built. Mirza Ghiyas-ud-din or Ghiyas Beg (later known as Itimad-ud-Daulah)
was a poor merchant and lived in Persia (modern-day Iran).
While on his way to India for business, his wife gave birth to a baby girl.
As the family was extremely poor and had nothing to eat, the parents decided
to abandon the child. However, the wails of the baby girl forced the parents
to come back and take her with them. The baby girl brought a stroke of good
luck to her parents, for Ghiyas Beg found a caravan that straightaway took him
to the court of the great Mughal Emperor, Akbar. In the course of time, Ghiyas
Beg rose to become a minister and a trusted treasurer in Akbar’s court.
After Akbar’s death in 1605, his son Jahangir became the Mughal emperor,
who made Ghiyas Beg his chief minister or Wazir. Ghiyas Beg was also honored
with the title of Itimad-ud-Daulah or the pillar of the state.
Ghiyas Beg’s daughter grew up to be a beautiful lady and came to be known
as Mehr-un-Nissa or the sun of womankind. In the course of time, the fame of
her beauty spread. She was married off, but she soon became a widow. She returned
to the court of Jahangir where her father was employed. Emperor Jahangir fell
in love with her and married her. She soon became a powerful personality in
Jahangir’s court and was called Nur Mahal, the light of the palace, and
Nur Jahan, light of the world. When Ghiyas Beg (Itimad-ud-Daulah) died in 1622,
Nur Jahan undertook the project to build his mausoleum. Later she built the
tomb of her husband (in a similar style) in Lahore. Nur Jahan had a brother
whose daughter was married to Jahangir’s son, Shahjahan. She was known
as Mumtaz Mahal in whose memory Shahjahan built the world famous Taj Mahal.
Itimad-ud-Daulah
was buried in a tomb that resembles a jewel box and set in a garden. This tranquil,
small, garden located on the banks of the Yamuna was to inspire the construction
of the Taj Mahal in the later years. It is the first tomb in India built entirely
in white marble. The tomb is also justly famous for the glorious pietra dura
(stone inlay) decoration depicting cypresses, wine glasses, and an amazing variety
of geometrical arabesque. The jali screens set in arched recesses are splendid.
Four small minarets rise at the four corners of the small tomb structure.
The whole structure gives the impression of an enlarged precious object. Due
to the profusion of intricate work done on marble and the beautiful marble screen-work,
the tomb easily qualifies as a veritable forerunner of the famous Taj Mahal.
HOW TO REACH
The tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah is located on the banks of the Yamuna, near the
Yamuna Bridge railway station. Agra is well connected by air with Khajuraho,
Varanasi, and Delhi. It has good rail and bus connections with major Indian
cities. One can travel to the tomb by making use of taxi, tempo, auto-rickshaw,
or cycle rickshaw. Prepaid taxis and autos from the railway station are available.
Prepaid transport is also available for excursions in and around the city limits.
Bicycles can also be hired on hourly basis from different parts of the city.
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