Ataga Khan

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Ataga Khan's Tomb near Chausath Khamba in Nizamuddin West Atgha Khan's tomb.jpg
Ataga Khan's Tomb near Chausath Khamba in Nizamuddin West

On 16 May 1562 Adham Khan accompanied by a few ruffians burst in upon Ataga Khan as he sat in the Diwan-e-Aam, the hall of audience, in Agra Fort, and murdered him, in the courtyard of the Diwan-e-Aam. [4] Hearing of this murder, an enraged Akbar ordered Adham Khan to be defenestrated from the ramparts of the fort. The fall only broke Adham Khan's legs, so the still angry emperor ordered that he be thrown down again. The second fall killed Adham Khan instantly.[ citation needed ]

After the death of Atagha Khan, his tomb was built by the instructions of Mughal emperor Akbar and built by his foster brother, Mirza Aziz Koka, in 1566–67. It is situated on the northern edge of Nizamuddin, most known for the dargah of 13th century Sufi saint Nizamuddin Auliya. Its architect was Ustad Khuda Quli and calligrapher Baqi Muhammad Khan from Bukhara, who added Quranic verses on the white marble slabs, inlaid on the red sandstone exterior walls, which were suitably chosen reflecting his mode of death, considered a martyrdom by Mughal historian, Abul Fazal. [5] An inscription on the southern door of the tomb mentions that it was finished in 974 AH (1566–67). [6]

References

  1. Collier, Dirk (1 March 2016). The Great Mughals and their India. Hay House, Inc. ISBN   9789384544980 via Google Books.
  2. Collier, Dirk (1 March 2016). The Great Mughals and their India. Hay House, Inc. ISBN   9789384544980 via Google Books.
  3. Collier, Dirk (1 March 2016). The Great Mughals and their India. Hay House, Inc. ISBN   9789384544980 via Google Books.
  4. The punishment of Adham Khan Akbarnama
  5. Asher, Catherine B (24 September 1992). The New Cambridge History of India. Cambridge University Press. p. 42. ISBN   0-521-26728-5.
  6. Archived 2008-06-09 at the Wayback Machine
Ataga Khan
Ataga Khan, 1561.jpg
Vakil-i-Mutlaq of the Mughal Empire
In office
November 1561 16 May 1562