Showing posts with label Afghan culture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Afghan culture. Show all posts

HOSHANG SHAH’S TOMB, MANDU


Hoshang Shahs Tomb built in the 15th century (c 1440), this was the first tomb built entirely out of marble. The province of Malwa, in modern Madhya Pradesh, had as its capital the ancient Hindu city of Dhar, about 24 miles north of Mandu, till it was conquered by the Delhi Sultanate – by Ala-ud-din Khilji in 1305 A.D. - and a governor installed in place.

The tomb of Hoshang Shah was the inspiration for the Taj Mahal. Shah Jahan was so impressed with it, that he sent 4 of his architects to study the tomb. They left an inscription near the doorway, paying homage to the architects of the tomb.


This tomb considered as the first marble construction of Afghan culture in the Indian subcontinent region in earlier period. As with all conquests, among the first state buildings to come up were mosques, built with pillars taken from Hindu temples, very similar to the Qu’wwat-ul-Islam mosque at the Qutb, Delhi. Hoshang Shah, second King of Malwa, ruled for 27 years. His tomb is in Mandu, Madhya Pradesh. He had a fine eye for architecture. There are beautiful specimens of Muslim architecture in Mandu.



Location- Mandu, Madhya Pradesh, India.

Entrance Fee- Citizens of India Rs. 5/- per head
US $ 2 or Indian Rs. 100/- per head
(Free entry to children up to 15 years)

ISLAMNAGAR, BHOPAL


Islamnagar was a Rajput town, called Jagdishpur until taken by an Afgan (Dost Mohammad Khan) in 1715. He founded the Bhopal State with Islamnagar as its capital. Fortifications were built within them are a palace, gardens and a charming village. Islamnagar is 11 km away on the Bhopal- Berasia road. 






























Islamnagar was the palace of Bhopal's Afghan rulers and was built by Dost Mohammed Khan. Formal gardens surround the palace and the pavilion. The latter a synthesis of Hindu and Islamic decorative art, has columns lavishly embellished with floral motifs. Other monuments to see are the Hamam of the Chaman Mahal and the double-storied Rani Mahal.