Topographical drawings of the mausoleum of Itimâd-ud-Daulâ,
Agra, India Watercolour on paper RIBA No. SB78/7(3) This
mausoleum, or tomb, was built betweeen 1622 and 1628 in honour
of the father of Nur Jahan, wife of the Mughal Emperor Jahagir.
He had been given the title of Itimâd-ud-Daulâ (pillar of the
state). The building has been described as a 'jewel box' or as
the 'Baby Taj', because it was a precursor for the larger Taj
Mahal. The mausoleum is almost symmetrical. It was made from
white marble inlaid with precious stones including cornelian,
jasper, lapis lazuli, onyx and topaz. There are patterns of
flowering plants within the arches; a popular decorative device
found in many objects from this period. Sunlight enters the
building through perforated stone 'jali' screens, carved in
ornamental patterns. Drawings such as these were made by Indian
draughtsmen for British officials working in India, as an
artistic record of the great monuments of the Mughal Empire.