Mughal tombs and palaces are Rajasthan’s trademark. The delicate decoration inside (lots of tiles) and outside is a mélange of Islamic, Persian, Afghan and Indian styles, but the most striking characteristic is the symmetry and clarity. All tombs follow a certain format!
Four giant gates lead up to the platform where an impressive temple-like building rests upon. All tombs are built overlooking the Yamuna River, which unfortunately in April, at the end of the dry season, looks and smells more like a sewage dump.
Akbar’s Mausoleum is made of the famous red sandstone with beautiful decoration, flowers, grapes and lots of elegant Arabic writing. Inside a guide says a prayer that echoes through the burial chamber. The other attraction there are the many monkeys in the gardens around Akbar’s Mausoleum, who at times just seat in the middle of a enthusiastic tourists and seem to pose for the picture.
Itimad-ud-Daulah, also called the “Baby Taj”, sits on a small platform, all white, with the most delicate inlay work: tiny chips of semi precious stones creates the most outstanding patterns. The atmosphere shortly before sunset and the incredible quietness there are truly unique…
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