Tomb Of Shamsher Khan , Batala , Punjab

View of Tomb from East Side

Introduction

This tomb was built by Shamsher Khan in Batala , Punjab. It is located about 38 km from Amritsar and is in the Gurdaspur district of Punjab in a town named Batala. This tomb is also known as Hazira and it is a historic monument and also serves as a tourist destination. The park surrounding the Hazira provides beautiful and picturesque scenes of the small town of Batala.

Tomb and Enclosure Wall on Northeast direction

Built Date

• This tomb was built in 1589–1590 CE. It was built in Mughal Period

East Side View from a distance

Architecture of Tomb

• The materials used in its making were brick and mortar. This tomb stands firmly on a raised platform which is surrounded by a low level wall possessing bastions in its corners.
• This tomb is identical to an octagonal structure which has been crowned with a low yet magnificent dome. There are geometrical and arabesque designs painted on the spandrel of the arches.
• Hazira is a tourist attraction and a recreational park which is maintained by the local government.
• The interior and exterior walls of the tomb are richly adorned with paintings depicting calligraphic , geometrical and floral designs.
• The interior decorations of the tomb are still intact but if one views the exteriors , only the traces of these embellishments survive.

Left side General View from South, Right Side Tomb showing main entrance

Repair Of Tomb

• This tomb was once a beautiful piece of architecture but nowadays this tomb is not in good architectural state.
• Currently, this tomb is under repair and preservation.
• The surroundings of this beautiful monument are also being beautified under the maintenance task.

Interior of Tomb with depressed arches in southwest , west and northwest walls

Central Dome, ceiling , depressed blind arches around the central medallion

Depressed arch in west wall , ground level

Measurement of Tank and Other Details

• The tank of Shamsher Khan exists to the north of his tomb.
• It is one of the two surviving tanks built in the East Punjab during the Mughal period.
• The tank of Shamsher Khan extends over an area measuring 238×218 m.
• Both of its corners on the southern side are chamfered, making it an irregular hexagon in shape.
• A flight of seven steps extends along this bank and chamfered corners.
• A bathing ghat marks the middle of this side.

Northeast and Northwest corners with domical towers and enclosure wall

Another entry gate to Tomb

Staircase leading down to ground floor

Entrance to the tomb on South direction

Cell/Domical Tower on southwest corner of enclosure wall

Main entrance in the enclosure wall, seat on west , remains of painted decoration on wall

Level 1 , Corridor around the grave chamber

North Wall , depressed arches at levels 1 and 2

Thank You !