The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c23.s4.92.2

v4.c23.s4.92.2

Flights of steps with entrance archways relieve the middle of each side of the terrace, and domed octagonal pavilions ornament each corner, with projecting oriel-balconies carried on heavy brackets in between. The upper surface of this immense sub-structure forms a courtyard, within which stands the mausoleum proper. This building is enclosed within an aisle of pointed arches, three to each of its octagonal sides, and shaded all round by a wide eave surmounted by a crenellated parapet. This constitutes the lower storey. Above, the two upper storeys are decorated by means of pillared kiosks, one at each angle and alternating with oriel windows, while the dome crowning the whole is crested by a solid lotus finial. The interior of the tomb consists of one large vaulted hall, octagonal in shape and surrounded by an arcade of arches; it is somewhat bare and plain, and may be unfinished. Seen across the rippling waters of the tank, the entire composition now appears grey and sombre, but this was by no means the original intention. It is the greyness of age, as, when first built, its walls displayed patterns of glowing colour, and the dome was set brilliantly white against the blue sky. Traces of this glazed decoration still remain, fine bold borders of blues, reds and yellows, in keeping with the grand scale of the building itself.