Tomb of Aurangzeb

Tomb of Aurangzeb
Tomb of Aurangzeb
	Tomb of Aurangzeb
General information
Type	Tomb
Architectural style	Mughal
Location	Khuldabad, Aurangabad district, Maharashtra, India
Coordinates	20°0′18.13″N75°11′29.04″E / 20.0050361°N 75.1914000°E
Construction started	4 March 1707
Completed	1707
Opened	1707
Design and construction
Architect(s)	Azam Shah

Last updated November 23, 2024

The Tomb of Aurangzeb ^[2] is located in Khuldabad, Aurangabad district, Maharashtra, India. In notable contrast to other Mughal tombs, which are large monuments of Mughal architecture, including the Taj Mahal, at his own direction Aurangzeb is buried in an unmarked grave^[3] at the complex of the dargah or shrine of Sheikh Zainuddin.

Background

Aurangzeb (4 November 1618 – 3 March 1707)^[4], the sixth Mughal emperor, ruled most of the Indian subcontinent for half a century until he died on 3 March 1707. According to his wish, he was buried near the dargah of Sheikh Zainuddin, a sufi who was also his "spiritual and religious teacher".^[1]

Location

The tomb is located in the city of Khuldabad, in the district of Aurangabad, 24 kilometres (15 mi) from Aurangabad.^[1] It is located in the south-eastern corner of the complex of the dargah of Sheikh Zainuddin.^[1]

Description

Aurangzeb died in 1707 at Ahmednagar. His body was then carried to Khuldabad after his son Azam Shah and his daughter Zeenat-un-Nissa arrived at their father's camp.^[5]

There is a platform over the tomb made of red stone, less than three yards in length. There is also a "cavity" in the middle which measures a "few fingers". Inspired by the grave of his sister Jahanara Begum, the tomb has been covered with soil on which herbs grow.^[5] After his burial, Aurangzeb was given the posthumous title of "Khuld-makan" ("he whose abode is in eternity").^[6] Lord Curzon later covered the site with marble and surrounded it with a "pierced marble screen". The tomb is roofed by "the vault of the sky".^[1] The gateway and the domed porch were added in 1760.^[1]

It is said that Aurangzeb paid for his burial place by stitching caps during his last years and that it cost only 14 rupees and 12 annas.^[1] The tomb is "remarkably simple in keeping with Aurangzeb's own wishes". Aurangzeb's full name is written on a marble plate located in one of the corners of the tomb.^[1]

The dargah also houses the tomb of the first Nizam of Hyderabad, Asaf Jah I, his son Nasir Jung, and those of Aurangzeb's son Muhammad Azam Shah and his wife.^[1]

In literature

In her poetical illustration, The Tomb of Aurangzebe, Letitia Elizabeth Landon may have been confused by the engraving she was given (from a painting by Samuel Prout), as in it she justifies the construction of mighty tombs.^[7]

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References

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Tomb of Aurangzeb" (PDF). Archaeological Survey of India, Aurangabad. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 June 2020. Retrieved 20 March 2015.
↑ "Aurangzeb" Encyclopædia Britannica . Retrieved 21 March 2015.
↑ Mikaberidze, Alexander (2011). Conflict and Conquest in the Islamic World: Historical Encyclopedia . Vol. I. Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO. pp. 148–149. ISBN 9781598843378.
↑ https://www.britannica.com/summary/Aurangzeb#:~:text=Aurangzeb%2C%20orig.,1658%E2%80%931707).
1 2 Sarkar, Jadunath (1952). History of Aurangzib. Vol. V (2 ed.). Calcutta: M. C. Sarkar & Sons. pp. 209–210.
↑ "World Heritage Sites - Ellora Caves - Khuldabad". Archaeological Survey of India . Archived from the original on 12 March 2017. Retrieved 20 March 2015.
↑ Landon, Letitia Elizabeth (1832). "poetical illustration". Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1833. Fisher, Son & Co.Landon, Letitia Elizabeth (1832). "picture". Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1833. Fisher, Son & Co.

External links

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[Location-1] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Tomb of Aurangzeb" (PDF). Archaeological Survey of India, Aurangabad. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 June 2020. Retrieved 20 March 2015.

[2] "Aurangzeb" Encyclopædia Britannica . Retrieved 21 March 2015.

[3] Mikaberidze, Alexander (2011). Conflict and Conquest in the Islamic World: Historical Encyclopedia . Vol. I. Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO. pp. 148–149. ISBN 9781598843378.

[4] ttps://www.britannica.com/summary/Aurangzeb#:~:text=Aurangzeb%2C%20orig.,1658%E2%80%931707).

[:0-5] 1 2 Sarkar, Jadunath (1952). History of Aurangzib. Vol. V (2 ed.). Calcutta: M. C. Sarkar & Sons. pp. 209–210.

[6] "World Heritage Sites - Ellora Caves - Khuldabad". Archaeological Survey of India . Archived from the original on 12 March 2017. Retrieved 20 March 2015.

[7] Landon, Letitia Elizabeth (1832). "poetical illustration". Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1833. Fisher, Son & Co.Landon, Letitia Elizabeth (1832). "picture". Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1833. Fisher, Son & Co.

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