Discover the Baby Taj of Agra and its history of love

Taj Mahal is the most visited attraction in Agra. But another tomb, that of Itimad-ud-Daulah, is also very impressive and worth a visit. As most tourists don’t know, this beautiful structure is one of the inspirations for Taj, and built by a daughter as a token of love and respect for her father!  

What is the story behind Itimad-ud-Daulah’s tomb?   
Mirza Ghiyas-ud-din or Ghiyas Beg was nobleman from Persia (modern Iran). He visited the Mughal court of India and became a member, and then the lord treasurer of Sultan Akbar. He had a beautiful daughter known as Mehr-un-Nissa or the sun of womankind. She was not just beautiful and accomplished, but also an able administrator. Akbar’s son Jehangir fell deeply in love with her and marred her. We know her from our history books as Queen Nur Jahan or light of the world. In 1622, Itimad-Ud-Daulah died. That is when Nur Jahan built this marble mausoleum, in the memory of her dear father.  

How is the Baby Taj related to the Taj?  

Truth is always stranger than fiction. Nur Jahan built the tomb of her husband, Jehangir, in a similar style in Lahore when he died. Her brother had a daughter who was also very beautiful. Interestingly, this was the daughter with whom Jahangir’s son, Shahjahan fell in love. And the whole world knows her today as Mumtaz Mahal, in whose memory Shahjahan built the Taj. So the Baby Taj is literally a relative of the Taj! Both tombs stand on the banks of River Yamuna about 25 minutes ride from each other.  

What is unique about Itimad-ud-Daulah’s tomb?  

Itimad-ud-Daulah’s tomb is visibly more intricate, delicate and feminine than the other tombs. Nur Jehan had an active part in planning the structure, and she wanted it to look like a delicate but durable jewel box. Placed in the centre of a beautiful garden, this was the first tomb in white marble in our country. It does look like a jewel box in the light of the setting sun.  

Itimad-ud-Daulah’s tomb also features marble lattice screens with the filigree (jail) work and inlay (minakari) that became signatures of Mughal structures. Cypress trees, wine glasses and abstract geometrical shapes seen in the inlay and carvings are meant to remind us of Itimad-ud-Daulah’s Persian past and Indian life.