Besides Taj Mahal, the exquisite Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah is another gem of Agra which comes lauded as being home to the world famous monument, Taj Mahal. Located on the left bank of Yamuna river, this Mughal structure was built by Nur Jahan, the favourite consort of fourth Mughal emperor Jehangir, for her father Mirza Ghias-ud-Din Beg who also happened to be the grandfather of Mumtaz Mahal, wife of Shah Jahan.
Ghias-ud-Din Beg of Teheran was a Persian immigrant. He received high office in the Muggal empire was given the title of Itimad- ud- Daulah ‘Pillar of the Government’ by Jahangir . His son, Asaf Khan, was the wazir of the Mughal empire and father of Mumtaz Mahal in whose memory Taj Mahal was built by the fifth Mughal emperor Shah Jahan who ascended the throne of Mughal empire after the death of his father, Jehangir.
Nur Jahan married Jahangir after the demise of her first husband Sher Afghan, a Mughal officer posted in the Bengal province. She is also credited with the construction of the tomb for Jehangir at Shahdara near Lahore in Pakistan. A highly powerful woman in the Mughal empire, Nur Jahan was the first Mghal queen in whose name coins were struck. . Nur Jahan died in 1645 surviving Jehangir by 18 years.
One of the earliest buildings in which pietra dura has been used, the mausoleum of Mirza Ghias-ud-Din Beg is built entirely of translucent white marble. Also called the Baby Taj, the elegant monument was built between 1622 and 1628 and certainly warrants a visit in your trip to Agra. The finely carved jalis (marble lattice screens) of the building are treat to see. There are a number of outlying tombs of the relatives of Nur Jahan. Built on an elevated platform, this two storeyed structure consists of an octagonal tower on each angle.
By Air: The Delhi airport is the nearest international airport and is 204 kms away from Agra. Kheria airport is 6 Kms from the city centre of Agra. Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, is the other airport that are near to Agra and is 232 km away respectively from Agra.
By Rail: Agra is well connected by rail with major cities and places in India
By Road: Agra is well connected by road to different places in India. Some of the cities and places near Agra connected with it by road are Mathura (Uttar Pradesh 54 Km), Bharatpur (Rajasthan 56 Km), Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh 119 Km), Delhi(204 km), Jaipur (Rajasthan 232 km), Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh 363 Km) and Khajuraho (Madhya Pradesh 395 Km).
Many of the affordable hotels can be found near Itimad-Ud-Daulah’s Tomb. From these hotels you can explore the beautiful monument. Hotel Madhushrie, Hotel Tara Palace, Hotel Mumtaz Mahal are some of the hotels located near the monument.