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Jehangir mausoleum complex consists of the tomb of
Empereror Jehangir, surrounded by gardens, a courtyard, a mosque, the mausoleum
for Asif khan (Jehangir's brother-in-law). Across the railway lines is
the mausoleum of Jehangir's queen Noor Jhan.
Upon entering the pictured entrance, one finds a large
square park area, called Akbari Sarai, with large trees and green grass.
Along the edges are alcoves surrounding this central area, forming a
caravan sarai (rest area) for travelers and traders. |
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On one side of the sarai is the entrance to the garden
leading to Jehangir's mausoleum. An entrance leads into a moghal garden
with exact geometrical patterns balancing each side. |
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Here lies the most romantic prince Salim, turned to Emperor Jehangir, descendant of "Akbar the
Great".
Jehangir is probably best known for being the father of Shah Jehan, the
ever-constructing sultan who built the most famous landmark in India,
the one and only Taj Mahal. |
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The marble tomb is approached from four corridors
leading from the garden.
Three of these corridors are closed by intricate marble screens. The
marble grave is elaborately inlaid with floral designs and the 99
Attributes of Allah are inscribed on its two sides. On the top is a
verse from the Holy Quran. The tomb was built by Queen Noor Jehan and
the Emperor,s son Shah-Jehan, around 1637 A.D. |
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There is a mosque between the Akbari Sarai and Asif
Khan's mausoleum. The front of the mosque is in very good shape, but the
rear of it shows a lot of wear (see the two photos below). |
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Associated with this tomb, in another courtyard, is the
mausoleum of Asif Khan [Jehangir's brother-in-law]. This was stripped
almost bare by Sikh invaders as well as flooding from the river. |
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The Empress Noor Jehan, "Light of the world"
was the only Empress whose name appeared on the coins of the Mughal
empire. She was buried in 1645 A.D. at Shahdara (Lahore) outside
Jehangir’s mausoleum across the railway line.
Her tomb once had a marble cenotaph which she had built herself during
her life time. After the decline of Mughal rule, the tomb suffered
extensive damage along with her husband’s tomb at the hands of Sikh
marauders when they gained power during the early part of nineteenth
century. Both were stripped of most of its original beauty and splendor.
All treasures and tiles, it is said, were carted off to decorate the
Golden Temple at Amritsar, India.
Noor Jehan is buried along with her daughter. |
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