Fast Facts : -

Built In 1635

Built By Mulla Shukrullah Shirazi

Location : Located at a distance of just around 1 Km from Itimad ud Daulah's Tomb,  Chini ka Rauza  is the tomb of Allama Afzal Khan Mullah of Shiraz, a scholar and poet who was the Prime Minister of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. A notable feature amongst the many attractions that Agra offers, Chini ka Rauza is the only example of Persian architecture in the city.

Architecture Persian-Mughal : The structural design of the Chini ka Rauza is like the rest of the architectural masterpieces constructed by the Mughals a work of excellence. Built during the reign of Shah Jahan, at a time when the architectural prowess of the Mughals was at its peak, Chini ka Rauza is a must see for tourists to Agra. The most distinctive feature of the tomb is the colorful tiles or chini, from which the mausoleum gets its name. Rectangular in shape, the tomb is constructed mainly of brown stone, which today is sadly falling prey to negligence and crumbling away. The walls of the tomb are adorned with inscriptions and colored tiles that give a distinctive look to the structure.

Chini ka Rauza is a classic example of the Persian influence on Mughal architecture of that period. The tomb was constructed in 1635. Originally high walls enclosed this entire building complex, and there were gateways in North and South direction, along with two multistoried towers but now only the main Tomb building has survived.

The tomb of Allama Afzal Khan, Chini ka Rauza, derives its name from the colorful tiles (chini) that cover the walls of the tomb. The blue, green and yellow tiles that embellish this medieval Indian mausoleum constitute its most remarkable feature. In fact this glazed tile decoration dominates the entire architectural composition of this building.

History : Built in 1635, Chini ka Rauza tomb was dedicated to Allama Afzel Khal Mullah Shukrullah of Shiraz, the famous Persian poet-scholar who later became the Prime Minister of Shah Jahan. This serenely beautiful tomb got its name from the tiles or chini that were used to embellish its wall and ceilings.

Features : This rectangular-shaped mausoleum bears the imprints of the fascinating confluence that took place between Mughal and Persian style architecture in that period. The structure is topped with an Afghan-style bulbous dome decorated in the pattern of an inverted lotus flower. The top of the dome is marked with some Quranic texts engraved on it. Parts of the walls, still covered with the colored enamel tiles (chini) in blue, green and yellow create a beautiful contrast against the earth-brown structure.

Chini ka Rauza has a central chamber which is octagonal in shape and has eight arched inlets. Four square chambers emerge from the central chamber and are connected to the side halls and outer structures. Admire the traces of paintings and Islamic calligraphy on the high domed ceiling. The central arch features inscriptions and inlay work marked out with blue colored tiles.

Once adorned with elegant gateways, towers and a ghat by the Yamuna, Chini ka Rauza now sings its saga of sordidness as only the crumbling main tomb stands in a state of utter carelessness.

ORNAMENTATION  : The most exquisite feature of this monument is its, glazed tile decoration, which is so profuse that it dominated the architectural composition of the exterior and interior of the building. The monument was designed in such a way, that it may provide spaces for colour embelishments. Use of architectural ornamentation like chhajja, brackets and balconies were restricted to provide enough space for glazed tile decoration.

The sides of central arch, on each side of the building contains inscription in blue coloured tiles which is bordered by stylized design in blue, yellow and green tiles. The spandrels of the arches are decorated with arabesque and floresque patterns, laid in blue and orange tiles.

The shafts on sides of the arches contains zig-zag design in crimson, orange and white colour. Chevrons of the pinnacles are decorated with bands of blue tiles. The remaining spaces on each facade is divided into panels each having floral designs in variegated colours like blue, green, orange, vermellion etc.

The Dame of the building is decorated with blue and yellow square tiles in diagonal bands. Almost every inch of the building is covered with glazed tiles of wide variety of colours and shades. Although the building is in dilapitated condition, yet it is worth visiting because of its unique glazed-tile decoration.

Introduction : Agra can definitely be termed as the hub of historical tourism in India. Almost each and every nook and corner of this ancient city relates a tale of its own, sharing secrets which time had thought to be buried within the silent bricks of Agra. Of the many historical attractions of the city, one of the lesser-known ones is the Chini ka Rauza  , the tomb of Allama Afzal Khan Mullah of Shiraz, built in 1635.

Chini ka Rauza is the tomb of Allama Afzal Khan Mullah of Shiraz, a renowned scholar and poet who was the Prime Minister of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. The tomb was built in 1635.

The Tomb : The central chamber which actually houses the tomb is an octagonal chamber that consists of eight arched corners. This chamber is connected to the side halls and outer porches through four square chambers. The central arch, which is one of the most prominent architectural features of the tomb, is adorned with inscriptions marked with blue colored tiles.

                                                 Chini Ka Rauza : Description

 The Chini ka Rauza was built in 1635 and is the tomb of Allama Afzal Khan Mullah of Shiraz, a scholar and poet who was the Prime Minister of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. The tomb gets its name from the colorful tiles (chini) that cover the walls of the tomb. The tomb is built in a rectangular shape and is topped with a bulbous dome. The tomb itself is made of a brown colored stone and is crumbling away. The colorful enamel tiles in blue, green and yellow, that give the tomb its name can be seen on its walls. The walls and ceiling of the tomb are also decorated with inscriptions and inlay work.

This tomb is a memorial dedicated to Allama Afzel Khal Mullah Shukrullah of Shiraz, who was a Persian poet-scholar and later the Prime Minister of Shah Jahan. Chini Ka Rauza is an Afzal Khan creation, who was a high official in the court of Shah Jahan. It is decorated with glazed tiles on the facade and depicts the Persian influence on Mughal architecture.

The tomb of Allama Afzal Khan Mullah of Shiraz, the Prime Minister in the Mughal court during Shah Jahan's reign, Chini ka Rauza is located at a short distance from the majestic Taj Mahal in Agra, India.

Chini-ka-Rauza is considered a milestone in Indo-Persian architecture, as it is the very first building in India that has been exclusively decorated by the glazed tile works. The decoration is prominent on façade and exteriors. Chini-ka-Rauza is actually a small mausoleum that overlooks the River Yamuna. The tomb is a fine architectural example of pure and undiluted Persian architecture.

Mulla Shukrullah Shirazi was the Prime Minister of Mughal emperor Shah Jehah and also a famous poet. He composed poetry under the pseudonym of 'Allami'. He took fancy to building his own mausoleum in 1639 with elaborate ornamentation. He chose glazed tiles as his medium to create the masterpiece that would enshrine his tomb forever. Every portion of this unique monument is profusely adorned with bright color schemes, known as 'Chini ka Rauza'.

Mausoleum of Mulla Shukrullah Shirazi, is one of the masterpiece of glazed-tile decoration. Uniqueness of this monument, lies in the fact that every portion of this building is enriched with profuse decoration in variegated schemes of colours due to which the monument is popularly known as 'Chini ka Rauza'.

The monument was built in 1639 A.D. by Mulla Shukrullah Shirazi, in his life time, who was the Prime Minister of Shahjahan. He was also a famous poet of that time and composed several poetry under the pen name of 'Allami'.

The main tomb building is very simple in plan and lacks architectural ornamentation. According to 1871-72 survey report, the monument originally enclosed by high walls, having gateways on North and South direction, two three storyed octagonal towers and a ghat of stone masonry near the river bank, but now only the main Tomb building, in partially damaged state, has survived.

Situated just a kilometer north of Itmad-ud-Daullah's Tomb in Agra, the Chini ka Rauza is the beautiful tomb of Allama Afzal Khan, the Prime Minister of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan who built the world-renowned Taj Mahal. Built in 1635 AD, the beautiful monument clearly reflects the typical Persian influence on the Mughal architectural style. The Chini ka Rauza derives its name from the Persian word chini or the tiles, which are used in decorating its wall and ceilings.