Back to gallery

Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daula, Agra (33)

Tomb of I'timād-ud-Daulah (Urdu: اعتماد الدولہ کا مقبرہ‎, I'timād-ud-Daulah kā Maqbara) is a Mughal mausoleum in the city of Agra in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Often described as a "jewel box", sometimes called the "Baby Tāj", the tomb of I'timād-ud-Daulah is often regarded as a draft of the Tāj Mahal..

.

Mosaic and Inlay work has been widely used in the tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah. The white marble interiors are adorned with prolific, graceful and convoluted stylized inlay and stucco designs. The main gateway showcases white marble inlay work on red sandstone. Geometrical designs and wine vases are depicted frequently. The red sandstone platform has bands of highly stylized floral patterns and creepers. The tomb marks the use of dados in their fully developed forms as a distinct feature of architectural embellishment. The sides of entrance arches above the dados have superb inlaid work too with the designs characteristic of the times of Jehangir such as vases with serpentine handles and cypress motifs. .

.

The extensive use of rare and semi precious stones of all hues and shades are used for this inlay mosaic work such as agate, carnelian, garnet, jade, jasper, lapis lazuli, opal, onyx and turquoise used in combination with black, white and yellow marble. The central hall, the corner chambers and side halls boast of exceptional wall and stucco paintings depicting guldastas, wine vases, cypress and other Persian motifs. Embroidery designs are often used as the incised stucco on the ceilings and animal motifs can be seen frequently. The designs in the central chamber seem to be moving and human figures are unexpectedly depicted in a scheme of painted panels. Inscriptions on white marble panels can be seen on the frieze, above the arches and the octagonal towers.

4,383 views
12 faves
14 comments
Uploaded on February 17, 2015
Taken on February 13, 2015