The northern part of India is home to the populous state of Uttar Pradesh. This top tourist destination borders the Indian capital of New Delhi, so it’s no surprise that this place easily receives numerous visitors each year. Aside from that, Uttar Pradesh is a highly historic area in India, with some of its sights among the most famous landmarks and important places in the world. For example, if the Catholics have the Vatican, and the Muslims have Mecca, the Hindus, meanwhile, have Varanasi, which is located in Uttar Pradesh. Another iconic landmark, one of the old seven wonders of the world, Taj Mahal, is also located here. But did you know that there is another monument in the same region that is similar to the Taj Mahal? Located in the city of Agra, the Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daula has even been given the nickname of “Baby Taj” because many often regard it as a draft of the iconic Taj Mahal. The tomb, now a mausoleum, was built by Nur Jahan in honor of her father, Mirza Ghiyath Beg, who was a Persian nobleman and was given the title of Itmad-ud-Daula. If you’re interested to learn more about the history of this beautiful structure, read this guide to Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daula, Agra.
Things to do/ highlights
Beautiful architecture
The very first thing you will notice about Itmad-ud-Daula’s Tomb is its beautiful architecture. The tomb itself is housed inside a stunning, palace-like structure that depicts architecture from the Mughal period. The main tomb is actually located on the eastern side, near the Jamuna River, in the middle of a quadrangle surrounded by gardens, which is called the Char Bagh pattern. The main gate is also located here. Aside from the main tomb, which is made mostly of white marble, there are also smaller chambers that are the resting places of other family members. There are inscriptions on the wall from the sacred Quran.
Interesting history
The history behind Itmad-ud-Daula’s Tomb is quite fascinating. In contrast to Taj Mahal, which was built by the Mughal ruler Shah Jahan in honor of his favorite wife, the Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daula was built by a daughter for her father. Mirza Ghiyath Beg was a Persian nobleman who became a member of the Mughal court. His daughter, Mehr-un-Nissa, later called Nur Jahan, was known to be very beautiful and was a very responsible young woman. She helped her father in his court responsibilities and because of this, she caught the eyes and heart of the Akbar’s son, Jehangir, and the two married. As the eventual wife to the future emperor, she became a powerful woman. When her father died, she decided to honor him by building a mausoleum in his memory.
Travelers tips
Best time to visit
Though you can easily visit Uttar Pradesh year-round, its location may say otherwise. Since it is located up north, the weather here tends to be on the extremes. It’s either it’s too hot or freezing cold. However, your best bet to visit Uttar Pradesh is sometime between October to March. Though there is no snow during these months, the temperature may be cooler than that of the summer months. It’s still advisable to check with your weather bureau on the conditions before traveling to this state so you won’t have your trip ruined by natural forces.
When you arrive at Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daula, be sure to hang around until the afternoon to catch the stunning sunset against the structure’s beautiful backdrop. You can also visit as early as sunrise, which gives equally stunning views on top of having the place almost all to yourself.
Privacy
It’s inevitable that you will come to Uttar Pradesh and end up visiting the Taj Mahal. However, be sure to visit its little sister, the Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daula as well. Aside from the reasons we’ve already mentioned, you will enjoy this site immensely, especially if you’re not a crowd person. The Baby Taj sees lesser crowds than the Taj Mahal, but it doesn’t mean that the place is irrelevant. It is simply still being discovered by tourists, so in the meantime, enjoy as much of it as you can without being bothered by too many people.
How to get there
Uttar Pradesh is a top tourist destination in India, so it is near to impossible to not be able to access the region without convenience.
By rail
This may be the fastest and easiest way to get to Uttar Pradesh. The tomb in Agra is easily accessible from Lucknow to Yamuna Bridge Agra. Once you alight from the station in Agra, it’s a 10-minute walk to Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daula via SH 39.
By road
There are also several roads and national highways connecting Uttar Pradesh to other major Indian cities and regions. Simply consult navigation maps like Google Maps if you plan on hiring a private car to get to the area.
Auto-rickshaw
From Agra, you can also hire an auto-rickshaw to get you to Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daula.
How to get tickets (from USD 6.0)
To get tickets to Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daula, the best way is to buy it on-site. Regular tickets range from INR 30 (less than 1 USD) for Indian nationals, and INR 310 (4 USD) for foreign tourists. You can also check out other tours and third-party websites for combo tickets, some of which may include transportation and admission to other nearby sites.
Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah Skip-the-Line E-tickets & guide
Duration: 2 to 4 hours
Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daula information
Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daula
Address: Moti Bagh, Agra, Uttar Pradesh 282006, India
Opening hours: 8am - 12am (daily)
Cost: For Indian nationals: INR 30 (less than 1 USD) | For foreigners: INR 310 (4 USD)
Department of tourism: Visit Uttar Pradesh
History
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