Tomb of I'timād-ud-Daulah
Located on the east bank of the Yamuna river in India sits the exquisite Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah. Also known as the ‘Baby Taj Mahal’, it’s arguably more delicate in appearance compared to its famous neighbor thanks to its particularly finely carved marble lattice screens. This was the first Mughal structure built completely from marble and was built by Nur Jahan between 1622 and 1628. Stylistically, this is the most innovative 17th century Mughal building and marks the transition from the robust, red sandstone architecture of Akbar to the sensuous refinement of Shah Jahan’s Taj Mahal. If you visit the Agra area make sure to add this remarkable palace to your list. The intricacies of its construction and eye-catching mosaics are not only uniquely beautiful but the crowd-free riverside setting provides a calm and serene counterpoint to the busy and bustling Taj Mahal.
