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| Itmad-Ud-Daulah |
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History
Itmad-ud-Daulah, also known as the ‘Baby Taj’, is the first monument in India built entirely in marble. The tomb was built between 1622 and 1628 by the Queen of Jahangir, Nurjahan as a memorial to her father, Mirza Ghiyas Beg. Mirza Ghiyas Beg, an Imperial Officer, was bestowed with the title of Itmad-ud-Daulah (Pillar of State) by his Emperor Jahangir. The mausoleum rests in a walled garden close to the Yamuna River, approximately one and a half kilometers upstream of the Taj Mahal, Agra. This tranquil, small, garden was to inspire the construction of the Taj Mahal in the later years.
Along with the main building, the structure consists of numerous outbuildings and gardens. It is a pure white and elaborated carved tomb that conforms to the Islamic style of architecture. It houses the cenotaph of Mirza Ghiyas Beg and Nurjahan’s mother Asmat Begum that resembles a jewel box and is set in a garden side by side. The adjacent chamber has the tombs of the other members of the family.
The tomb was built in the famed Char Bagh style that Itmad-ud-Daulah had himself laid out six years before his death 1622. The whole structure gives the impression of an enlarged precious object with a height of 21 m and a dome-roofed octagonal minaret of 12 m each at each corner. The structure is renowned for its pietra dura decoration i.e. the inlay works and carvings depicting cypresses, wine glasses and an amazing variety of geometrical arabesque. 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.
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Best time to visit
The tomb can be visited anytime of the year. Though, the best time to visit Agra is between November and March when the weather is cool and conducive.
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Trivia
Itmad-ud-Daulah looks like a jewel box set in a garden, when you take a bird eye view. The sight of the tomb is spectacular indeed even though the structure is not as large as the Taj Mahal.
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Timing
Itmad-ud-Daulah is open from sunrise till sunset on all days.
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Holiday Packages
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Travel Tools
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