Chini ka Rauza : Most visited Place near Agra
admin January 26th, 2008
The Chini ka Rauza was built in 1635 and is the tomb of Allama Afzal Khan Mullah of Shiraz, a scholar and poet who was the Prime Minister of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. The tomb gets its name from the colorful tiles (chini) that cover the walls of the tomb. The tomb is built in a rectangular shape and is topped with a bulbous dome. The tomb itself is made of a brown colored stone and is crumbling away. The colorful enamel tiles in blue, green and yellow, that give the tomb its name can be seen on its walls. The walls and ceiling of the tomb are also decorated with inscriptions and inlay work. You can see these decorative elements in the Chini ka Rauza on tours to Agra with Agra Hub.
Neglected and decaying, its soft brown stone is exposed to the elements and is now crumbling away into the riverbank. Topped with an Afghan-style bulbous dome, the dull earth-coloured tomb is a far cry from Nur Jahan’s delicate work, but is distinctive as Agra’s sole Persian construction. Parts of the walls are still covered with the coloured enamel tiles (chini) that once enhanced the whole of the exterior and gave the tomb its name, while traces of paintings and Islamic calligraphy can still be made out on the high domed ceiling. It is a rectangular structure, having beautiful title work in glazing colours, and is surrounded by a great bulbous dome. On the top of the chamber some Quranic texts are inscribed on it. Although it is in a dilapidated condition, but still its craftsmanship is worth seeing.
The central chamber of the Chini ka Rauza is octagonal in shape and has eight arched recesses. Four, square chambers emerge from the central chamber and are connected to the side halls and outer porches. The central arch through which you can enter the Chini ka Rauza features inscriptions marked out with blue colored tiles. Borders in blue green and yellow tiles surround these inscriptions. The Chini ka Rauza is a serene and charming tourist spot. You can see the Chini ka Rauza on tours to Agra with Agra Hub.
There are two cenotaphs in its middle, one of Shukruilahtered irt the service of Jahangir in 1618 A.D. and became the Finance minister of Shah Jahan, who died in Lahore in 1639 A.D. His dead body was brought from Lahore and was graved here.