Hoshang Shah 's tomb, Mandu, Madhya Pradesh - first one in India entirely faced with marble


Hoshang Shah's tomb, Mandu, MP. Flicker com

Hoshang Shah 's tomb, Mandu, MP. commons.wikimedia.org/
Hoshang Shah 's tomb is the first one in India to be faced entirely with marble. Marble facing was not done prior to this one with respect to building mausoleums.  The ruler died in 1435 and was loved by his subjects as he happened to be a man of compassion and of affable disposition. No doubt, his tomb had acquired sanctity and was the location of annual Urs that had been conducted until the end of the 19th century. 

The tomb is accessed through  a north-facing porch. But, it is said, it is not used by the visitors.  Square in plan,  there are  artistic ached openings on three sides supporting the marble dome above. The openings are well-proportioned. In the middle of the inside court stands the mausoleum on a square marble platform. In the big court inside a stone pavement runs along the north and south sides. Entrance to the tomb proper is through the doorway on the south side. The well-proportioned doorway is well ornamented that will never fail to get the attention of the visitors. In the interior parts the ornamental moldings such as the miniature arches with blue enamel background running all along the rim of the dome are impressive. But for this ornamental feature, the interior is plain and simple.
Hoshang Shah 's tomb, Mandu.freeart.com
corridor near Hoshang Shah's tomb, Mandu, MP.thinkingparticle.com
Hoshang Shah 's tomb, Mandu, MP. .trekearth.com
To make the tomb attractive, the  main sarcophagus of Hoshang Shah is presented  in the form of a casket with receding bands and with a mihrab moulded at the top. The carving is done with particular attention.  Also found below  the dome are the other graves three of which are in marble. At the four corners of the dome are the conical shaped turrets. The finial of the dome is crowned with a Crescent, a typical symbol of Islam. It is believed by the historians, this unique feature was introduced to Mandu from Mesopotamia. As for the  massive white marble dome, it is shaped with meticulous care. Yet another unique feature is the mausoleum is built on a white marble  square platform with massive walls rising to a height of 9.6 meter from it. Hindu ornamental elements can be observed in the platform bearing ornamental border with projecting lobes; presumably it was done by Hindu sculptors who were associated with the construction work.
 It is noted down by some historians that standing in the middle of Md. Khalji's tomb,  the halls of Hoshang's tomb, Jami Masjid and this structure, the centers of these buildings  fall in a straight line.

Tit-Bits:
 Hoshang Shah ( also known Alp Khan) (1406-35) was the first formally appointed Islamic king of the Malwa region of Central India. Also called Hushang Shah Gori, he was known as Alp Khan before he took on the title Hoshang Shah after being crowned the ruler of Malwa. Alp Khan's father Dilawar Khan Ghori belonged to the court of Firozshah Tughlaq, the Sultan of Delhi. He was appointed governor of Malwa probably by Firuz of the house of Tughlaq, but made himself independent of the Delhi Sultanate for all practical purposes in 1401. Thus he had practically come to Mandu in 1401 as the first King of Malwa, although he did not declare himself a king. He ruled Malwa for 27 years.

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoshang_Shah
 https://books.google.co.in/books?id=Vuinp98E4sYC&pg=PA48&dq=jami+masjid+mandu&redir_