Allahabad's Khusro Bagh

Originally it was a beautiful garden meant for pleasure built by Jahangir when he lived in Allahabad as a prince.  It became Khusro Bagh when Jahangir’s son Khusro’s tomb was erected in this garden.

 

Constructed in 1622 by Shah Jahan, the tomb stands in the midst of lush garden. The tomb is built from sandstone and has ornate carvings.

Besides the tomb of Khusro, the garden has other tombs too. Shah Begum, Khusro’s mother and Jahangir’s first wife, is also buried inside the mausoleum. Shah Begum is believed to have committed suicide after Khusro rebelled against his father.

 

The third tomb is of Nesa Begum, Khusro’s sister. As per Mughal tradition, Nesa Begum got the tomb constructed for her but was later buried in a different place!

The fourth tomb which is in the middle of the garden is known as Mausoleum of Tombolan.

All the tombs are decorated with fine Mughal frescoes with vaulted apartments. They are examples of exemplary Mughal architecture. The design of the main entrance to the garden, the tomb of Shah Begum and the surrounding gardens are attributed to Aqa Reza Jahangir’s most trusted artist.

 

The tomb of Jahangir’s first wife is built in three layers on a plinth without a main mound. They say that experts from Fatehpur Sikri were consulted for its design. The tomb has inscriptions in Arabic by Jahangir’s favorite calligrapher, Mir Abdullah Mushkin Qalam.

Nesa Begum’s tomb is on an elevated platform and has ornate panels and scalloped arches. The monument has elaborate paintings of stars made in concentric circles. There are floral paintings on the walls of the central room.