Timings :  Sunrise- Sunset.

Entry Fee

Foreigners : Rs 110.00

Indian Citizens : Rs 10.00

Accommodation : Staying facilities in Agra are quite comfortable. Apart from hotels, there's the UPSTDC's tourist complex, Taj Khema near the Taj Mahal. It offers accommodation in tents and deluxe rooms. There's a UPSTDC Tourist Bungalow too.

Fast facts :-

When it was built: between 1622 and 1625 A.D.

By whom it was built: Nur Jahan

Nature of the architecture: Islamic style of architecture

HOW TO REACH  : The tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah is located on the banks of the Yamuna, near the Yamuna Bridge railway station. Agra is well connected by air with Khajuraho, Varanasi, and Delhi. It has good rail and bus connections with major Indian cities. One can travel to the tomb by making use of taxi, tempo, auto-rickshaw, or cycle rickshaw. Prepaid taxis and autos from the railway station are available. Prepaid transport is also available for excursions in and around the city limits. Bicycles can also be hired on hourly basis from different parts of the city.

Introduction : Home to perhaps some of the finest examples of architecture in the world, Agra is a historian's paradise. Some of the treasures of architecture that grace the city include the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Itimad-ud-Daulah's Tomb. The  Tomb of Itimad Ud Daulah  was constructed by the Mughal queen Nur Jahan between 1622 and 1628 where her father Itimad Ud Daulah was buried. Itimad Ud Daulah or Mirza Ghiyas-ud-din or Ghiyas Beg was the father of Nur Jahan, the Mughal empress and wife of Jahangir. He was later also made a minister and a trusted treasurer in Akbar's court. It was as a tribute to him, that Nur Jahan built the mausoleum after his death.

The tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah was the first of its kind to be built in marble. This mausoleum is home to the tomb of Mirza Ghiyas Beg (later known as Itimad-ud-Daulah).This enchanting piece of architecture is said to be the forerunner of the Taj Mahal. Many of the patterns and designs of the mausoleum are said to be used while constructing the Taj Mahal. The tomb marks a break with the style of Mughal architecture. Its purely white ornate carvings adhere to the Islamic style of architecture.

Histor : The tomb of Itimad-ud- Daulah resembles a silver jewel box in marble. Mirza Ghiyas Beg or Itimad-ud- Daulah was the lord treasurer in the court of Jahangir. It was after his daughter Nur Jahan married Jahangir that Mirza Ghiyas Beg was made the lord treasurer of Jahangir's empire. Nur Jahan had developed a coterie of men around her. She had assumed responsibility in the court. The network of loyal men helped to strengthen her position in administrative affairs. Nur Jahan took advantage of the intoxication and extravagance of the aged king and she gradually became more powerful. Mirza Ghiyas Beg played a significant role in the Nur Jahan Junta as the treasurer. Mirza Ghiyas Beg was a poor merchant who lived in Persia. He was the trusted treasurer in Akbar's court. He rose to become the chief minister during Jahangir's reign. He was given the epithet Itimad-ud-Daula, or the pillar of the state. His daughter Meherun-nisa was a peerless beauty. She later came to be known as Nur Jahan. The Mughal emperor Jahangir was enslaved by her beauty. Nur Jahan played a significant role in Jahangir's court with her father's support. When Itimad-ud-Daulah died in 1622, Nur Jahan decided to build a mausoleum in the loving memory of her father. Itimad-ud-Daulah was buried in a tomb that resembles a jewel box and set in a garden. This p4eaceful and serene garden located on the banks of the Yamuna was to be a precursor to the Taj Mahal built later extensively.

Features : The tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah marked a significant departure from the Mughal style of architecture. It best exemplifies Islamic style of architecture. It is one of the first tombs to be built in marble. Built on the banks of River Yamuna, the designs and patterns of the mausoleum were later used in building the Taj Mahal. The Tomb has a Central Asian dome structure. The waterways and paths are laid out in a geometrical pattern- a feature also found in the Taj Mahal. Its paved pathways are flanked by lush green gardens. Inlaid semi-precious stones in pietra dura style were first used in the construction of the tomb, which is later used in the design of the Taj. The intricate carvings on the wall of the tomb include flowers, trees, fruit, animals and birds as well as wine jars and even people. The jali screens set in arched recesses and the four small minarets rise at the four corners of the small tomb structure are splendid. Due to the intricate carvings on the marble and marble screen work its gives an impression of a majestic and gallant object.

Architecture : The tomb itself is one of the best examples of architecture of the region. Said to be one of the most important influences behind the architecture of the Taj Mahal, the  Tomb of Itimad Ud Daulah  is one of the finest examples of a specific genre of mausoleum architecture called a Tomb in a Garden. The pure white and elaborately carved tomb is a perfect embodiment of the Islamic style of architecture. Arched entrances, octagonal shaped towers, exquisitely carved floral patterns, intricate marble-screen work and inlay work - all add up to make it an elegant work in its own right. The tomb is marked by the presence of a closed kiosk on top instead of a dome, and the use of small domed canopies, supported by pillars atop the four towers.  However, added to this is the influence of the locality that manifests itself in the absence of a dome and the presence of a closed kiosk on top of this building as well as the use of chhatris (small domed canopies, supported by pillars) atop the four towers (minarets) instead of proper domes, which is more reflective of the Islamic style of architecture.

About the Tomb : The Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah is situated at Agra in Uttar Pradesh, India. 6 years before the Taj Mahal was built, the tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah was already standing majestically to inspire Shahjahan in building the most splendid tomb of the world - the tomb of Mumtaz Mahal or Taj Mahal. This mausoleum in a shape of silver jewel box in marble houses the body of Mirza Ghiyas Beg, the father of the Mughal Empress Noor Jahan. After Noor Jahan married the Mughal Emperor Jahangir, Mirza Ghiyas Beg was appointed the Lord Treasurer of the Empire or Itimad-ud-Daulah.

A MAGNIFICENT MAUSOLEUM  : The city of Agra is full of architectural wonders. On one hand, it has the famous Taj Mahal, and on the other hand, it has the Agra Fort and Itimad-ud-Daulah’s mausoleum. Itimad-ud-Daulah’s tomb is a highly ornate edifice, which is looked upon as an imminent precursor of the Taj Mahal as far as elaborate carvings and inlay work are concerned. The tomb marks a significant departure from the tombs of the Mughal dynasty built before its construction. ISLAMIC STYLE OF ARCHITECTURE The pure white and elaborately carved tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah conforms to the Islamic style of architecture. The use of arched entrances, octagonal shaped towers or minarets, use of exquisitely carved floral patterns, intricate marble-screen work and inlay work are all representative of the Islamic style. The absence of a dome and the presence of a closed kiosk on top of this building and the use of chhatris (small domed canopies, supported by pillars) atop the four towers (minarets) instead of proper domes are reflective of local influence.

ITIMAD-UD-DAULAH’S TOMB  : The tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah is as interesting as the life of the person for whom it was built. Mirza Ghiyas-ud-din or Ghiyas Beg (later known as Itimad-ud-Daulah) was a poor merchant and lived in Persia (modern-day Iran). While on his way to India for business, his wife gave birth to a baby girl. As the family was extremely poor and had nothing to eat, the parents decided to abandon the child. However, the wails of the baby girl forced the parents to come back and take her with them. The baby girl brought a stroke of good luck to her parents, for Ghiyas Beg found a caravan that straightaway took him to the court of the great Mughal Emperor, Akbar. In the course of time, Ghiyas Beg rose to become a minister and a trusted treasurer in Akbar’s court. After Akbar’s death in 1605, his son Jahangir became the Mughal emperor, who made Ghiyas Beg his chief minister or Wazir. Ghiyas Beg was also honored with the title of Itimad-ud-Daulah or the pillar of the state.

Description : Tomb of Itimad ud Daulah is another beautiful tourist attraction in Agra along with Taj Mahal. This tomb was built for Mirza Ghiyas-ud-din or Ghiyas Beg who later became famous as Itimad-ud-Daulah. He was the resident of Persia. His occupation was that of a merchant. It is believed that when he was coming to India for business purpose, his wife bore a baby girl whom they decided to abandon due to lack of financial resources and poverty. However, the innocent cry of the baby stopped them from doing so. And Ghiyas Beg with his wife and neonate moved forward. On the way they discovered a caravan which directly led them to Akbar's court (Mughal emperor's court). Over the period of time, Mirza Ghiyas-ud-din became a minister and a trusted treasurer in Akbar's court.
In 1605, Akbar's son known as Jahangir succeeded to the throne due to the death of Akbar and appointed Ghiyas Beg as his chief minister or Wazir. Not only this, he was also given the title of Itimad-ud-Daulah or the pillar of the state.

A perfect example of the Mughal architectural excellence, the Itmad Ud Daulah's Tomb located at a distance of 1 ½ kilometers from the Taj Mahal in Agra, India is quite like the Taj Mahal. The tomb of Itmad-Ud-Daulah is the resting place of Mirza Ghiyas Beg and his wife Asmat Begum who were the parents of Empress Nur Jahan, Emperor Jehangir's wife.
In fact it was Queen Nur Jahan who constructed this attractive white marble mausoleum for housing her parents' remains, though Mirza Ghiyas Beg had already planned the construction of this structure during his lifetime.

Nur Jehan, the wife and queen of Mughal Emperor Jehangir built this tomb for her father Mirza Shiyath Beg between 1622-25. Soon after her marriage to the father, Mirza was appointed Prime Minister of the Empire and received the title of 'Itimad-ud-Daulah' or 'Treasurer of the Empire'. The tomb is situated on the left bank of river Yamuna and is only overshadowed by Taj in beauty. This beautiful mausolem was the first one to be built on a riverbank, which was normally used only to build pleasure gardens till then. The marble mausoleum is designed like a silver jewel box with stunning and delicate inlay work. Facing river Yamuna, this quadrangular tomb stretches across 550 sq. feet with four gateways facing the four main directions. However, the Eastern gateway served as the main entrance of the tomb while the rest were built only to maintain the symmetry. The square tomb building is built on a red sand stone plinth, which was set aesthetically in the centre of a 'Char Bagh'.