Aurangzeb (4 November 1618 – 3 March 1707), the sixth Mughal emperor, ruled most of the Indian subcontinent for half a century until he died on 3 March 1707. According to his wish, he was buried near the dargah of Sheikh Zainuddin, a sufi who was also his "spiritual and religious teacher".[1]
Location
The tomb is located in the city of Khuldabad, in the district of Aurangabad, 24 kilometres (15 mi) from Aurangabad.[1] It is located in the south-eastern corner of the complex of the dargah of Sheikh Zainuddin.[1]
Aurangzeb's Tomb, with marble jaali (latticed screen) around it.
Description
Aurangzeb died in 1707 at Ahmednagar. His body was then carried to Khuldabad after his son Azam Shah and his daughter Zeenat-un-Nissa arrived at their father's camp.[4]
There is a platform over the tomb made of red stone, less than three yards in length. There is also a "cavity" in the middle which measures a "few fingers". Inspired by the grave of his sister Jahanara Begum, the tomb has been covered with soil on which herbs grow.[4] After his burial, Aurangzeb was given the posthumous title of "Khuld-makan" ("he whose abode is in eternity").[5]Lord Curzon later covered the site with marble and surrounded it with a "pierced marble screen". The tomb is roofed by "the vault of the sky".[1] The gateway and the domed porch were added in 1760.[1]
It is said that Aurangzeb paid for his burial place by stitching caps during his last years and that it cost only 14 rupees and 12 annas.[1] The tomb is "remarkably simple in keeping with Aurangzeb's own wishes". Aurangzeb's full name is written on a marble plate located in one of the corners of the tomb.[1]
In her poetical illustration, The Tomb of Aurangzebe, Letitia Elizabeth Landon may have been confused by the engraving she was given (from a painting by Samuel Prout), as in it she justifies the construction of mighty tombs.[6]
_3.JPG)
