History of Indian and Eastern Architecture v2.c31.s8.2

v2.c31.s8.2

On the other hand, the tomb of Abû-l Mansûr Khân Safdar Jang (1739-1754), the second of the Nawâb Vazîrs of Oudh, situated about 5 miles from the Qutb at Delhi, is not quite unworthy of the locality in which it is found. Though so late in date (A.D. 1756), it looks grand and imposing at a distance, but it will not bear close inspection (Plate XXXIV.). It stands in a large garden and is raised on a terrace, 10 ft. high and 110 ft. square, over arched cells. The tomb is about 60 ft. square, and in the general arrangements of the plan is not unlike that of Humâyûn. The central room, about 20 ft. square, contains the very handsome marble monument, highly polished though somewhat florid in design. The floor and lower portion of the walls are faced with marble, and it is roofed by a flattish dome at a height of about 40 ft. Round this apartment are four square and four octagonal rooms on the ground floor, with the like arrangement above.¹ Respecting the whole, Mr. Fanshawe remarks:² "If the decoration of the corner towers is not successful, the combination of white marble and fawn-coloured sandstone in the centre is pleasing. The plaster decoration of the interior is perhaps more degraded than anything else about the tomb." Even this qualified praise can hardly be awarded to any of the buildings in the capital in which his dynasty was finally established.