Itmad Ud Daulah

4.3

Location: Moti Bagh, Agra, Uttar Pradesh 282006, India

Estimated Visiting Time: 1 Hour

In the city of Agra, the tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah is a Mughal mausoleum, which is located in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. The tomb of Itmad Ud-Daulah is often called a “jewel box”, sometimes called the “Bachcha Taj” or the “Baby Taj”. As a draft of the Taj Mahal, the tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah is often regarded.

Attraction

From Akbar’s tomb Sikandra to the Taj Mahal, it is the first building finished in white marble and marks the transitional phase from Redstone to white marble.

The polished Iranian who lies buried here reflects his personality of him and more than the formal and ornamental character of its builder Nur Jehan, who had ruled the Mughal Empire for 16 years from behind the curtain.

With the usual enclosing walls and side buildings, the tomb, situated on the eastern bank of the river Yamuna, is planned in the center of a Char-Bagh. The main gate is on the eastern side, as conditioned by its situation.

Ornamental gateways with prominent lawns are built in the middle of the north and south sides. The river looks impressive for a multi-storeyed open pleasure pavilion is there on the western side. With bold inlaid designs in white marble these buildings are of red sandstone.

History

Interior of Itimad-ud-Daulah in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. This Tomb is often regarded as a draft of the Taj Mahal.

The tomb is of Mirza Ghiyas Beg and his wife Asmat Begum. He hailed from Iran and served Akbar. He was not only the father of the famous Nur-Jahan but also the grandfather of Mumtaz-Mahal of the Taj Mahal fame. After Nur Jehan‘s marriage with Jehangir in 1611, he was made Vazir. The mansab of 7000/7000 and the title: “I’timad-Ud-Daulah”, was held by him. A few months after his wife’s death, he also died at Agra in 1622. This tomb was built for Nur Jehan’s parents between 1622 and 1628 by her.

Inside/Outside Views

Unusual view of the Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah (Baby Taj) through red sandstone gate. The white marble mausoleum is a popular tourist attraction of South Asia.

The structure consists of numerous outbuildings and gardens, along with the main building. The tomb represents a transition between the first phase of monumental Mughal architecture, a tomb primarily built from red sandstone with marble decorations, built between 1622 and 1628. The wife of Jahangir for her father Mirza Ghiyas Beg, who was originally a Persian Amir in exile, who had been given the title of I’timad-ud-Daulah, The mausoleum was commissioned for him. The wife of the emperor Shah Jahan who was responsible for the construction of the Taj Mahal, Mirza Ghiyas Beg was her grandfather. The mausoleum is set in a large cruciform garden criss-crossed by water courses and walkways, Located on the eastern bank of the Yamuna River. The mausoleum is about twenty-three meters square and is built on a groundwork about fifty meters square and about one meter high. About thirteen meters tall, On each corner there are octagonal towers.

Encrusted with semi-precious stone decorations: cornelian, jasper, lapis lazuli, onyx, and topaz formed into images of cypress trees and wine bottles or many other decorations like cut fruit or vases containing bouquets and the walls are made up of white marble from Rajasthan.

Opening Hours

Itmad-ud-daulah is open daily, sunrise to sunset.

Entry & Others Fees

The entry fee is 110 INR for foreigners.
The entry fee is 10 INR for Indians.

For children below 15 years, entry is free.

Near Restaurants

Near Hotels

How to Reach

By rail: The nearest railway station with a short walk away is Yamuna Bridge Railway station. From the station, you can hire a cab or taxi to your destination.

By road: The city is well connected to the other parts of the country by road.