Tomb of of Ghiyath al-Din, Delhi alamy.com
|
|
tomb of Ghiyath ud-Din Tughluq findmessages.com |
Zahar Khan tomb,Mausoleum of Ghiyas ud-Din Tughluq gounesco.com |
Tomb of of Ghiyath al-Din, Delhi. alamy.com |
Entrance, Tomb of Ghiyas ud-Din Tughluqen.wikipedia.org |
The mausoleum made up of a single-domed square tomb (about 8 m x8 m) with sloping walls crowned by parapets is in contrast to the walls of the fortification in terms of construction, the latter made of sturdy granite stones. The sides of the mausoleum are made with smooth red sandstone and inlaid with inscribed panels and arch borders in marble. Atop the structure is an elegant dome resting on an octagonal drum that is covered with white slabs of marble and slate.
Tughra from a scroll issued by Muhammad ibn Tughluq at Delhien.wikipedia.org |
Tughlaqs built three main types of tombs: square, octagonal and pavilion. The last type being the simplest, consisting of a pavilion or a chhatri and it is meant for other royal and noble family members related to them. Quite interesting feature about the tomb is the sloping walls, at a 75 degree angle with the ground instead of vertical walls. This is on the model of the sloping walls of the Hindola Mahal (Swing palace) in Mandu, Madhya Pradesh. Inside the wallas are plain and flat. The advantage is besides arches, the sloping walls give better support to the ceiling. The tomb has a kalassa (pinnacle) on top of the white marble dome and it shows the peculiar Hindu influences.
Lots of people who visit the fort never fail to step into this fort as it is mentioned earlier, it stands apart in the fort area with red-colored stone face on all the sides.
The mausoleum has three graves: The main one - central part is that of ruler Ghiyath al-Din Tughluq and the other two being, it is believed, to be those of his wife Makhdum-i-Jahanand his son and successor to the throne Muhammad bin Tughluq. Besides, there is another octagonal tomb in similar fashion with a smaller marble dome and inscribed marble and sandstone slabs over its arched doors. It is in the north-western bastion of the enclosure wall with corridors supported by pillars. We understand from the inscription over its southern entrance that this tomb is that of Zafar Khan (Makhdum-i-Jahan ?). His grave, it is said, consciously included as part of the mausoleum by Ghiyath al-Din himself. Details are not clear with respect to his family and his links with the Tughlag Dynasty.
Tit-bits:
Ghaiasuddin Tughluq Share Your Essays |
http://navrangindia.blogspot.com/2017/07/the-humble-tomb-of-ghiyasuddin-tughlaq.html
https://www.mapsofindia.com/my-india/travel/the-mystical-tomb-of-ghiyasuddin-tughlaq-in-delhi
https://www.indianetzone.com/52/tomb_ghiasud_din_tughlaq.htm