Paigah Tombs: Marvel in Marble

The delicately carved mausoleums, enclosed in pierced marble facades, commemorate generations of Paigah nobles and are regarded as the finest examples of Indo-Islamic architecture, imbibimg at the same time features of the Asaf Jah and Rajputani styles. A majestic and stately gateway, a double storeyed structure, heralds the tourist’s journey of the mausoleum complex. Above the cornices of the building rise imposingly bulbous turrets embodying sculptural grace and gaiety.

Only classical poetry can do justice to the breathtakingly beautiful structures of the Paigah mausoleums, some of which have elaborate canopies which again rivet the tourist’s attention to the dazzling craftsmanship they embody. Outstanding among them is the canopy of the tomb of the Amir-e-Kabir. Some of the tombs have a rectangular marble fence done in trellis-work made up of a variety of geometrical and floral designs. Each of the four flanks forming the rectangular fence has different motifs. The canopy is supported by pillars which recall images of Hindu temple pillars.

Between the entabulature supporting the canopy and the pillars are several arches fringed again by smaller semicircular arches, a feature unique to Indian arches. The tourist can also find an ostrich egg suspended over Amir-e-Kabir’s tomb, a sign believed to be associated with royalty. On the sides of the tombs are inscriptions in Arabic, likely to be excerpts from Islamic scriptures. The architecture of all the tombs is rich in flowerage and foliage motifs, characteristic of Mughal architecture.

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