Tombs
Jehangir's Tomb
Surrounded by a vast garden this tomb was built in 1637 A.D. by Emperor
Jehangir's son, Shah Jehan. Four towers stand at the corners and there
is a vaulted chamber in the middle of the Mausoleum The chamber contains
a cenotaph of exquisite inlaid marble with engravings in masterly calligraphy
giving the 99 attributes of God.
The Mausoleum of Jehangir was built in 1637 A.D. by his son, Shah Jehan
and the Badshahi Mosque was built in 1674 A.D. by his (Jehangir's) grandson
Aurangzeb and the two are situated at a considerable distance from each
other. The construction of the two. However, is so mathematical, a feat
of engineering rather that, seen on a clear day, from each minaret of the
Mausoleum, the onlooker sees only three minarets of the Mosque and vice
versa.
Noor Jehan's Tomb
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.
Throughout Jehangir's reign she shared with him the burden of the administration
of his empire. Jehangir loved her very much.
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
damages 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 splendour. All treasures and
tiles. It is said, were carted off to decorate the Golden Temple at Amritsar,
India.
Asif Jah's Tomb
Asif Jah, brother-in-law of Jehangir. was buried in a courtyard near Jehangir's
tomb. He lies in a tomb which today shows little of its former splendour.
During the Sikh era, vandalism had shorn it completely of its decoration
and embellishments. Only the yellow stone skeleton of the tomb remains
and the decayed plaster covering shows signs of the plundering of precious
stones by the Sikhs.
The tomb of Asif Jah, which was built in Shah Jehan's time, is the only
building in Lahore in which the patterns are continued from one tile to
another and each tile is of many colours and of uniform shape. This type
is popular in Iran, Sindh and Multan.
Anarkali's Tomb
The tomb of Nadira Begum, Anarkali. Is situated in a comer o1 the Civil
Secretariat of Punjab Government at Lahore. Anarkali literally means Pomegranate
blossom'. She was a dancing girl at the Royal Court and a favourite of
the Emperor. Suspecting her to be in a romantic intrigue with his son ,
Prince Salim. The Emepror Akbar ordered that she should be buried alive
into a wall and she was entombed in an upright position in 1599 A.D. This
however, is an unproven romantic tale. However, inscribed on her tomb now
in the compound of the provincial assembly building are the words " Ah!
Could I behold the face of my beloved again' I would offer thanks to God
until the day of resurrection."
The tomb is circular in shape and roofed with a vast and lofty dome
supported from inside by eight massive arches 12 feet 3 inches thick It
is a masterpiece of solid masonry work of early Mughal period and is neatly
and beautifully fitted up.
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