Mughal art

Tomb of Jahangir

mausoleum for Mughal Emperor Jahangir in Lahore, Pakistan

The Mughal emperor Jahangir is buried in a mausoleum dating from , located in Shahdara Bagh near city of Lahore, along the banks of River Ravi, in Punjab, Pakistan.[1] The site is famous for its interiors that are extensively embellished with frescoes and marble, and its exterior that is richly decorated with pietra dura.

The tomb, along with the adjacent Akbari Sarai and the Tomb of Asif Khan, are part of an ensemble currently on the tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage status.[2]

Location

The tomb is located in Shahdara Bagh, northwest of the Walled City of Lahore. The tomb is located across the River Ravi from Lahore, in what was a rural area known for its numerous pleasure gardens.[3] The tomb is located in Jahangir's pleasure garden, the Dilkusha Garden, which had been laid out in [4] The Tomb of Asif Khan, built-in , and the Akbari Sarai, built-in , are located immediately west of Jahangir's tomb complex, and the three form an ensemble oriented on an east-west axis.

The last of the Shahdara Bagh monuments, the tomb of Jahangir's wife Nur Jahan is located slightly southwest of Asif Khan's tomb.

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    • Background

    The tomb was built for Emperor Jahangir, who ruled the Mughal Empire from to C.E. The emperor died in the foothills of Kashmir near the town of Rajauri on 28 October A funeral procession transferred his body from Kashmir and arrived in Lahore on Friday, 12 November [5] The Dilkusha Garden in which he was buried was a "favourite spot" of Jahangir when he lived in Lahore.[3][6] His son, the new Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, ordered that a "mausoleum befitting an Emperor" should be built in his father's honour to inter his remains.[3][7]

    History

    Though contemporary historians attribute the construction of the tomb to Jahangir's son Shah Jahan.[8] Construction started in ,[3] requiring ten years for completion,[9] and cost Rs 10 Lakh.[8][7]

    Repair works were undertaken at the tomb in according to Sikh court records.[10] The tomb complex, however, was also desecrated under Sikh rule when they were pillaged by the army of Ranjit Singh,[11][12] with building materials used for decoration of the Golden Temple in Amritsar.[13][14] The pillaged grounds were then converted for use as a private residence for an officer in the army of Ranjit Singh, Señor Oms, who was also known as Musa Sahib.[15][16] Ranjit Singh further desecrated the mausoleum once more when he ordered that Musa Sahib be buried on the tomb's grounds after dying from cholera in [16] By , a rumor had begun circulating which alleged that the tomb once was topped by a dome or second storey that was stolen by Ranjit Singh's army,[12] though no evidence has been found to suggest that a dome or second story ever existed at the tomb.[10]

    The Shahdara ensemble of monuments suffered further under British rule, when a railway line was built between the tombs of Asif Khan and Nur Jahan.[11] The site was then repaired by the British between and [17]

    Flooding from the nearby River Ravi threatened or damaged the site in , , , , , , , , , , , , , and [11] The site sustained water damage during flooding in that covered much of the site in 10 feet of water for 5 days.[11]

    Architecture

    The tomb was constructed in a Mughal style influenced by Safavid-style architecture from Persia,.[19] The mausoleum is laid out as a takhtgah - or a mausoleum built upon a podium which serves as a takht, or "throne."[8] For except, there is no takhtgah on the podium, nor seemingly had ever been built.

    Similar to the tomb of Akbar, Jahangir's tomb lacks a central dome as the Emperor is reported to have expressly forbade the construction of a dome over his tomb.[20] The use of domes in Mughal funerary architecture was first used at the Tomb of Humayun, and re-established by Shah Jahan.[21][7]

    Exterior

    In keeping with Sunni religious tradition, Jahangir's great grandfather Babur chose to be buried in a tomb open to the sky at the Gardens of Babur.

    Jahangir's tomb broke with this tradition by including a roof. In order to forge a compromise with Sunni tradition, Jahangir expressly forbade the construction of a dome over his tomb,[10] and so the roof is simple and free from architectural embellishments which later featured prominently at the Taj Mahal.[22] The mausoleum's façade is embellished with red sandstone inlaid with marble motifs.

    The square-shaped mausoleum is a 22 foot tall, single-story plinth with arcades lining all four sides of the structure. Vaulted bays along the perimeter of the tomb reflect Timurid architectural styles from Central Asia.[23] The mausoleum's façade of red sandstone is inlaid with motifs forged of white marble.[10]

    From the building rise four octagonal ornamental minarets projecting from each corner of the building, decorated with geometric inlaid stone.

    The use of minarets, absent from early Mughal commissions, reflects a renewed interest in Timurid architecture from Central Asia during the reign of Jahangir.[18] The minarets are divided into three sections, with the tomb forming the base, upon which the body of the minaret rests, called by white marble cupolas. The minarets rise to a height of feet (30m).

    Interior

    The mausoleum building is divided into a series of vaulted compartments which are richly embellished with Mughal buon fresco. Carved jali screens admit light in various patterns facing toward Mecca.

    Cenotaph

    At the centre of the mausoleum is an octagonal chamber lined with carved marble in which the remains of the Mughal Emperor rest in a crypt below a cenotaph.

    The interior of the tomb features a white-marble cenotaph inlaid with pietra dura in vegetal patterns,[10] as well as the 99 Names of Allah,[10] a common theme in Islamic mysticism.

    Gardens

    The gardens surrounding the tomb are vast, and laid out in the Persian Chahar Bagh, or Paradise garden.[24] The garden is separated into four squares by paved walkways (khiyabans) and two bisecting central water channels which are designed to reflect the four rivers that flow in jannat, the Islamic concept of paradise.

    Each of the four squares is further divided into smaller squares with pathways, creating into 16 squares in all. The garden forms a quadrangle measuring approximately metres on each side.[22]

    Layout

    The mausoleum is set in a large quadrangle with gates facing each of the cardinal directions.

    Entry to the quadrangle is via the western edge through the Akbari Sarai – a gate featuring a small mosque. To the immediate west of the Akbari Sarai is the Tomb of Asif Khan – Jahangir's brother-in-law. The tomb was constructed in a Mughal style that was influenced by Safavid architecture from Persia. Nur Jahan, who was of Persian descent, may have introduced this style into the Mughal Court.

    Conservation

    The site is protected by the Federal Antiquities Act ,[11] though stipulations of the law are frequently neglected,[11] resulting in damage to the site and surrounding area. The act forbids construction within feet of the site,[11] though private homes have been built that are located a few metres from the boundary walls of the site.[11] The site was inscribed on the tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage Site status in [25]

    Numismatics and philately

    The tomb was featured on the Rupee note until Pakistan issued a postage stamp in to commemorate Emperor Jahangir mausoleum.

    Gallery

    • The Emperor's cenotaph is located in a solemn inner chamber.

    • The tomb is surrounded by a Persian-style Paradise garden.

    • Jehangir's cenotaph is richly embellished with intricate inlay.

    • Entry to the mausoleum is through the Akbari sarai.

    • A view of the mausoleum's exterior embellishments and architectural features.

    • Even the mausoleum's roof is decorated with mosaic tile-work.

    • Close up view of the intricately inlaid marble on Jehangir's cenotaph

    • The cenotaph of the Emperor is located in the centre of the mausoleum.

    • The outer perimeter of the complex features a large entry gate known as Bara Darwaza that leads to the Akbari Sarai.

    • Bases of the minarets feature fine pietra dura detail.

    • "Illumined Grave of His Majesty, Asylum of Pardon: Emperor Nur-ud-din Muhammad Jahangir, AH"

    • Walls surrounding the tomb

    • Pietra dura detail

    • The minarets at the tomb are capped by white marble cupolas

    • Façade of Jahangir's Tomb in

    • Close-up of pietra dura detail.

    • Fresco in vestibule of tomb chamber

    • Fresco in vestibule of tomb chamber

    • Glazed tile kashi inlay in mausoleum verandah

    See also

    References

    1. ^Wiki Loves Monuments: Top 10 pictures from Pakistan are here!
    2. ^"Tombs of Jahangir, Asif Khan and Akbari Sarai, Lahore".

      UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved 3 December

    3. ^ abcd"Jahangir's tomb". Oriental Architecture. Retrieved 13 March
    4. ^Nadiem, Ihsan (). Lahore, a Glorious Heritage.

      Sang-e-Meel. ISBN&#;.

    5. Mughal emperor 1556-1605
    6. Mughal emperor akbar hindu
    7. Mughal Architecture During Jahangir - IndiaNetzone.com

      8. Retrieved 14 September

    8. ^Nicoll, Fergus (). Shah Jahan. Penguin Books India. ISBN&#;. Retrieved 14 September
    9. ^"Visiting the sub-continent's rebellious prince". Pakistan Today. Retrieved 13 March
    10. ^ abc"Jahangir's Tomb".

      Visit Lahore.

      Monuments built by mughal emperor jahangirs jade The tomb was built for Emperor Jahangir, who ruled the Mughal Empire from to C.E. The emperor died in the foothills of Kashmir near the town of Rajauri on 28 October A funeral procession transferred his body from Kashmir and arrived in Lahore on Friday, 12 November [ 5 ].

      Retrieved 23 August

    11. ^ abc"Jahangir's Tomb". University of Alberta. Archived from the original on 31 March Retrieved 13 March
    12. ^"Tomb of Jahangir". Journal of Asian Civilisations.

      24 (1). Taxila Institute of Asian Civilisations. Retrieved 14 September

    13. ^ abcdefWolschke-Bulmahn, Joachim; Wescoat, James L. (). Mughal Gardens: Sources, Places, Representations, and Prospects.

      Dumbarton Oaks. ISBN&#;. Retrieved 14 September

    14. ^ abcdefghRogers Kolachi Khan & Associates Pvt. Ltd. (February ). "Site Conservation Assessment Report: Jahangir's Tomb Complex, Lahore, Pakistan"(PDF).

      Global Heritage Fund.

      English cathedral city

      Much of the mausoleum's interior is adorned with Mughal-era frescoes. The tomb was built for Emperor Jahangir, who ruled the Mughal Empire from to C.E. The emperor died in the foothills of Kashmir near the town of Rajauri on 28 October

      Retrieved 14 September

    15. ^ abChaudhry, Nazir Ahmad (). Lahore. Sang-e-Meel Publications. p.&#; ISBN&#;.
    16. ^Saladin, Henri; Migeon, Gaston (). Art of Islam. Parkstone International. p.&#; ISBN&#;.

      Retrieved 14 September

    17. ^Hansen, Waldemar (). The Peacock Throne: The Drama of Mogul India. Motilal Banarsidass Publ. p.&#; ISBN&#;.

      Mughal emperor shahjahan A mausoleum to honor the emperor was commissioned in by the deceased’s son, the new Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. Jahangir’s tomb was completed in The Architecture and Design of the Tomb of Jahangir. The structure’s design is striking and is a mausoleum befitting an emperor. Jahangir’s tomb complex is situated in a lovely walled.

      Retrieved 14 September

    18. ^Grey, C (December ). European Adventurers of Northern India, to . Asian Educational Services. ISBN&#;. Retrieved 14 September
    19. ^ abSingh, Khushwant (). Ranjit Singh. Penguin Books India. p.&#; ISBN&#;.
    20. ^"The Tomb of Emperor Jehangir".

      Mughal emperor akbar Yet another monument built by Mughal emperor Akbar, Allahabad Fort is located on the confluence of rivers, Ganga and Yamuna. Holding historical importance, the fort has become one of the major tourist attractions in Prayagraj, especially for history buffs. It comprises gigantic walls, towers, a large palace and a temple.

      Dawn. 20 August Retrieved 17 December

    21. ^ abNecipoglu, Gulru; Flood, Finbarr Barry (). A Companion to Islamic Art and Architecture. John Wiley & Sons.

      Mughal emperor 1556-1605: The Tomb of Jahangir: What You Need to Know. The Tomb of Jahangir was commissioned in Construction for the mausoleum was completed in Mughal Emperor Jahangir was honored by his surviving family members. The son ordered the construction of his father’s mausoleum. The tomb was extensively embellished and richly decorated.

      ISBN&#;. Retrieved 14 September

    22. ^Bhallia, A. S. (). Monuments, Power and Poverty in India: From Ashoka to the Raj. p.&#; ISBN&#;.
    23. ^L.), Wescoat Jr (James; Wescoat, James L.; Wolschke-Bulmahn, Joachim (). Mughal Gardens: Sources, Places, Representations, and Prospects.

      Dumbarton Oaks. p.&#; ISBN&#;.

    24. ^Eaton, Richard M. (25 July ). India in the Persianate Age: . Penguin UK. ISBN&#;.
    25. ^ ab"Jahangir's Tomb". Asian Historical Architecture.
    26. ^Bhalla, A.

      S. (). Royal tombs of India: 13th to 18th century. Mapin. ISBN&#;. Retrieved 14 September

    27. ^"Jahangir's Tomb". Lahore Sites of Interest. Archived from the original on 31 March Retrieved 17 December
    28. ^"Tentative Lists". UNESCO. Retrieved 14 September

    External links

    Media related to Tomb of Jahangir at Wikimedia Commons