Close to the famous Golkonda Fort in Hyderabad is Ibrahim Bagh that has many historic monuments. Qutub Shahi Tombs and mosques built by the various kings of the Qutb Shahi dynasty are located inside this garden.
The tombs form a large cluster and stand on a raised platform. There are seven tombs of varying sizes. Smaller tombs have single storey while the bigger tombs have two storeys. The tombs were built using Persian, Pathan and Hindu architectural styles.
These tombs were built around 14th century and in the 19th century they were renovated by Sir Salar Jung III. In the centre of each tomb is a sarcophagus which overlies the actual burial vault in a crypt below.
The various structures of interest are:
- Tomb of Sultan Quli Qutb Shah
- Tomb of Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah
- Tomb of Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah
- Tomb of Jamsheed Quli Qutb Shah
- Tomb of Sultan Muhammad Qutb Shah
- Tomb of Abdullah Qutb Shah
- Tomb of Hayath Bakshi Begum
- Tomb of Fatima Sultan
- Tomb of Mirza Nizamuddin Ahmed
- Great Masjid
Nawab Mahbat Khan controlled the city of Junagadh from 1851 to 1852. In the year 1892 over his grave a tomb is built architecture of which is exquisite. The tomb is known by the Mahbat Maqbara.
The architecture is a mix of Hindu, Islamic and European. Its striking appearance makes it one of the city's most important historical landmarks.
Notable European features are the floor-to-lintel French windows and Gothic columns alongside the doors and windows.
Sadly, today this historic monument is in a neglected state and surely deserves better attention for one of the unique architecture it showcases.
The tomb of founder Sultan Ahmed Shah of Ahmedabad is located adjacent to Jama Masjid, the city’s main congregational mosque.
This is one of the few royal tomb and it was built in the first half of the 15th century AD.
Built on a square plan, it is built on a raised platform. It consists of a central hall, four small chambers and a pillared portico. One of the key features of the mausoleum is the profusion of jali screens.
The Sarkhej Roza Complex at Ahmedabad has various interesting structures. One among them is the early 15th century structure the Tomb of Sheikh Ahmed Khattu Ganj Baksh.
Roofed by a large central dome, it is surrounded by rows of 13 domes on each side. The central square, on which the dome stands has double pillars.
The architecture is based on both Islamic and Hindu principles. While the ringed domes, the profusion of pillars and brackets follow the Islamic genre, much of the ornamentation and motifs have Hindu designs.
The walls are panelled with trellised windows of perforated stone works in a variety of designs.
Tomb of Sikander Shah at Halol is one of the beautiful structure in this city. He is ruler of Champaner who was assassinated by Imad-ul-Mulk, Khusqadam in 1526 AD.
This tomb standing on an elevated plinth is a simple stone structure at beautiful. The aesthetics and craftsmanship of the structure are remarkable.
On the pillars there are intricate carvings of flowers and other artistic designs. The simple domes are fluted and they are quite elegant.
This tomb also houses the graves of the two brothers of Sikander Shah.
A glimpse of heritage monuments of India in black and white. Check other posts that will give you more details about this monument.
A glimpse of heritage monument of India in black and white. Check other posts that will give you more details about this monument.
One of the minarets of Bibi ka Maqbara mausoleum at Aurangabad
A glimpse of heritage monument of India in black and white. Other posts will give you more details about this monument.
Taj Mahal in Agra
Sikandra is a small town 8 kms away from Agra in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The main attraction here is the Tomb of Akbar, the Great who is considered as one of the greatest Mughul Emperor.
Akbar started construction of his Tomb during his lifetime around 1600. After his death in 1605, his son Jahangir completed the construction work between 1605-1613.
The tomb complex is entered through very grand gateway built in red sandstone. It is decorated with floral, geometric and calligraphic designs. At the top of the gateway on the four corners, there are four white marble minarets. Once inside one can see huge Charbagh style garden with tomb in center.
The tomb is also built using red sandstone. The facade has a beautiful arch and there are floral, geometric and calligraphic designs in white, red and golden colors. It is a five-tiered pyramid, surmounted by a marble pavilion containing the false tomb in the central chamber on the ground floor. The actual tomb is in the basement. The top most storey is entirely made up of white marble.
The courtyard of Fathepur Sikri has several magnificent monuments. Built between 1580 and 1581, the tomb of Salim Chishti is one of the finest examples of Mughal architecture in India. It is the burial place of the famous Sufi saint, Salim Chisti. It was built by Emperor Akbar as a mark of his respect for the Sufi saint. The Saint had predicted the birth of his son Jahangir.
This was initially built in red sand stone and then later converted into white marble structure. The tomb is on the top of a platform and a flight of five steps lead one to its entrance. The tomb is at the center of the main hall i.e., covered by a single semi-circular dome. The door to the main chamber is beautifully carved and has inscriptions from the Koran.
The carved and painted tomb chamber has a white marble floor i.e., inlaid with multicolored stones. All around the building there are delicate marble screens on all sides. They are of different patterns.
Tanaji Malusare was a brave warrior and a leader in the army of Maharaja Shivaji, founder of the Maratha Empire in the 17th century. He is known for the battle he fought to recapture the fort Kondana near Pune for his King Shivaji.
Kondana fort is at the top stiff cliff and is known to impossible to be captured by using force. He planned to storm the extremely well-guarded fort in the middle of the night. Tanaji and his troops scaled the fort with the help of monitor lizards (the iguana). They fought a fierce battle to recapture the fort. He fought with another brave man Udaybhan Rathod from the opposition ranks even after he lost his shield. It is known that Tanaji fought Udaybhan by tying a cloth over one of his hands and using it to ward off Uday Bhan's sword attacks. Tanaji and his men managed to capture the fort, but Tanaji lost his life in the battle.
Maharaja Shivaji renamed the fort from Kondana to Sinhagad in his honor. His words after hearing about the demise of Tanaji were "Gad ala pan Sinha gela" He meant "Won the Fort, lost the Lion"
This statue is located in the Sinhagad.
The Ibrahim Roza complex located in the western outskirts of the Bijapur (State: Karnataka) city. Built sometime in 16th century, it comprises of a tomb and mosque. We have already seen the details of and now for the tomb.
The tomb has perfect domes that is topped with crescent moons. There are symmetrical minarets on four corners of the tomb. The tomb is 13 meters square with the ceiling that is divided into nine squares with curved sides.
Steps are provided to approach the raised platform on which the two structures (tom and mosque) have been built. The tomb is for the ruler of Bijapur, Ibrahim Adil Shah II, his two sons and his mother.
Barah Kaman constructed in 1672, is an another interesting monument in Bijapur (State: Karnataka). It is the incomplete mausoleum of Ali Adil Shah II.
It is an elegant structure with 12 interleaving graceful arches. It was previously named as Ali Roza, but later ruler of Bijapur changed its name to its current name of Barah Kaman as this was the 12th monument during his reign.
It has the tombs containing the graves of Bijapur ruler Ali, and his queens.
Tansen is the father of Hindustani classical music. He was an extraordinarily gifted vocalist, known for a large number of compositions. He was born in the small village near Gwalior. The great Mian Tansen, one of the 'Nine Jewels' of Emperor Akbar's court. At some point, he was disciple for some time to Swami Haridas and later Muhammad Ghaus was spiritual leader.
The tomb of Tansen is built in the early Mughal architectural style and is surrounded by lush gardens in typical Mughal style. It is built very next to the tomb of Muhammad Ghaus. When compared with other architectural wonders in this place it is very simple.
Every year a national level music festival is organized here in November/December.
Next day morning we proceeded from Gwalior to our next destination Shivpuri.
Distance: Gwalior ---> Shivpuri 114 kms
In the 16th century Ghous Mohammed was a Afghan Prince who later turned into a sufi saint. He had helped Babur to win the Gwalior Fort.
In Gwalior there is mausoleum built for him in the typical Mughal architecture.
Here the interesting aspect are hexagonal pillars and screens using pierced stone technique. The marvelous stone works coupled with an excellent architecture, the tomb looks gorgeous.
