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Before the Taj Mahal was built, its design
was already standing in the form of Itmad-ud-Daulah's
Tomb. Built to represent a silver jewel box
in marble, this mausoleum houses the body of
Mirza Ghiyas Beg, the father of the Mughal Empress
Noor Jahan. After Noor Jahan married the Mughal
Emperor Jahangir, Mirza Ghiyas Beg was appointed
the Lord Treasurer of the Empire or Itmad-ud-Daulah.
After her father's death, Noor Jehan built
this mausoleum in memory of Mirza Ghiyas Beg,
from 1622-1625 A.D. The first example of a tomb
built on a riverbank in India, Itmad-ud-Daulah's
tomb situated on the banks of the Yamuna, has
many design features that were later used in
the Taj Mahal. Itmad-ud-Daulah's tomb marks
a significant departure from the tombs of the
Mughal dynasty built earlier, because this tomb
follows the central Asian pattern of a domed
structure, set in a formal garden, with waterways
and paths laid out in a geometrical pattern,
a design followed while constructing the beautiful
Tajmahal.
The marble inlay work or pietra dura style
was first used in India at Itmad-ud-Daulah's
tomb and later in the Taj Mahal. The inlaid
designs on the wall of the tomb include flowers,
trees, fruit, animals and birds as well as wine
jars and even people, which is surprising since
Islam does not permit the use of human images
as decorative forms.
The richness and variety of artwork on the
walls of the tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah are truly
breathtaking and well worth seeing when you
travel on a tour to the enchanting city of Agra.
Other Places of Interest In Agra
 Taj
Mahal
Agra
Fort
Fatehpur
Sikri
Akbar's
Tomb, Sikandra
Swami
Bagh Samadhi
Mankameshwar
Temple
Guru
ka Tal
Chini
Ka Rauza
Ram
Bagh
Mariam's
Tomb
Mehtab
Bagh
Keetham
Lake
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