A History of Fine Art in India and Ceylon, from the Earliest Times to the Present Day c18.93

c18.93

The Empress died in childbirth, on June 17, 1631 N.S. (17 Zu'l Q'adah, A.H. 1040), while in camp at Burhānpur in the Deccan, where her remains rested for six months. They were then conveyed to Agra, and the wondrous tomb destined to give her immortal fame was begun early in A.D. 1632, corresponding to the fifth year of Shahjahān's reign. When the plans had been settled to the Emperor's satisfaction work was pushed on with eagerness, some 20,000 men being employed daily.¹ On February 6, 1643 N.S. (17 Zu'l Q'adah, A.H. 1052), the anniversary of the death of the Empress, the annual funeral ceremony was celebrated by the bereaved husband at the new mausoleum which was then regarded as complete. But the construction of the subsidiary buildings continued for many years longer. The latest inscription, one on the entrance gateway, was set up in A.D 1647 (A.H. 1057). We know, however, from Tavernier, who witnessed both the commencement and completion of the buildings, that operations did not cease finally until 1653, nearly twenty-two years after they had begun. The general superintendence was entrusted to Mukramat Khān and Mīr Abdul Karīm.