Tomb of Itimad-ud-daula, Agra

This photograph is a collection of XIX century photos of India. This photograph documents theTomb of Itimad-ud-daula, Agra. There is a garden in front of the tomb. There are two men squatting and one man standing in the right side of the photograph.

Situated on the left bank of the Yamuna River, adjacent to Chini-ka-Rauza, the tomb was built for Mirza Ghiyath Beg, the father of Nur Jahan, who held the esteemed position of Lord Treasurer and later became the Wazir under Emperor Jahangir.

The tomb is centrally positioned within a quadrangular Char Bagh-style garden. It stands on an elevated sandstone terrace, measuring 149 feet square and rising 3 feet 4 inches above the ground. Like the Taj Mahal, the monument exhibits perfect symmetry, with identical facades, gardens, and auxiliary structures.

A distinctive feature of this tomb is its adherence to the Central Asian architectural tradition, incorporating a domed structure surrounded by a formal garden, waterways, and geometrically arranged pathways. Built entirely of white marble, the Itimad-ud-Daula’s tomb is also notable for being the first Mughal monument to extensively employ the Pietra Dura technique of inlay work.