Nur Jahan Tomb Historical Facts and Pictures

Mehr-un-Nissa (1577-1645), also known as Nur Jahan (Light of the World), was a Mughal Empress and the favorite wife of Emperor Jahangir (1569-1627). Her final resting place is a red sandstone mausoleum located in Shahdara Bagh in Lahore, Pakistan. Probably constructed during her lifetime, it is believed that the tomb took four years to complete at an estimated cost of rupees three lakhs.

Nur Jahan Tomb

Nur Jahan Tomb Images

Nur Jahan Tomb Photos

The tomb structure bears a striking resemblance to Jahangir’s mausoleum, except that it is much smaller in comparison and lacks the impressive corner minarets seen in the latter.  Built on a 158 square feet platform, the tomb measures roughly 124 square feet and is 19.6 feet high. The red sandstone exterior of the tomb is inlaid with floral motifs made in black, white and yellow marbles.

Nur Jahan Tomb

Nur Jahan Tomb Pictures

Inside the Nur Jahan Tomb

The ceilings are decorated with marble which are wrought with mosaic patterns covered in semi-precious stones. The central chamber of the tomb contains a marble platform with two cenotaphs which are 20th century restorations.

Inside of Nur Jahan Tomb

Cenotaph Tomb of Nur Jahan Pictures

Cenotaph Tomb of Nur Jahan

It is believed that during the 19th century, the tomb suffered substantial damage when it was stripped of its ornate decorations, which were subsequently used by the plunderers in the construction of other monuments. Even the subterranean chambers containing the graves of Nur Jahan and her daughter Ladli Begum were desecrated and robbed. The sarcophagus too was destroyed and is no longer extant.

Nur Jahan Tomb Inside Corridor

Nur Jahan Tomb Inside View

Nur Jahan Tomb Inside

In recent times the tomb has undergone some rehabilitation and repair work, though, experts feel that it has resulted in the loss of the remaining fragments of the original ornamentation.