Chini Ka Rauza

Chini Ka Rauza

Chini ka Rauza is a funerary monument, rauza in Agra, India, containing the tomb of Allama Afzal Khan Mullah, a scholar and poet who was the Prime Minister of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. The tomb was built in 1635. Chini ka Rauza is situated just 1 kilometer north of Itmad-Ud-Daulah Tomb, on the eastern bank of Yamuna river in Agra.

Chini-ka-Rauza is considered a milestone in Indo-Persian architecture, as it is the very first building in India that has been exclusively decorated by the glazed tile works. The most distinctive feature of the tomb is the colorful tiles or chini, from which the mausoleum gets its name. the tomb is rectangular in shape and is constructed mainly of brown stone. The walls of the tomb are adorned with inscriptions and colored tiles that give a distinctive look to the structure.

As one moves towards the central chamber of the Chini ka Rauza which has octagonal shape and boasts of 8 curved recesses, there are 4 square chambers that are linked with the halls in the corner and outside porches. However, perhaps the most significant feature of the tomb is the Afghan-style rounded dome that is adorned with inscriptions from Islamic texts.

Glazed Tiles

Chini Ka Rauza is so named because of its glazed tile ornamentation believed to be imported from China. The unique architectural artwork that graces the exterior and interior of the building uses the spaces such as chajja, brackets and balconies creatively with color embellishments. The inscription in blue-colored tiles on each side of the central arch of the building is bordered by blue, yellow and green tiles set in beautiful patterns while the spandrels of the arches are decorated with blue and orange tiles set in arabesque and floresque patterns. The zigzag pattern in the shafts on sides of the arches set off crimson, orange and white tile combinations while bands of blue tiles adorn the chevrons of the pinnacles. Panels with vermilion, orange, blue and green floral designs fill the remaining spaces on each facade. The dome is covered with blue and yellow square tiles in diagonal bands. Glazed tiles of all the shades and hues cover almost every inch of the building, which is now partially damaged and yet has retained a part of the glory of its past.

Square Plan of Chinni Ka Rauza

Originally, the monument had high walls surrounding it, two main gateways in North and South, two three-storeyed octagonal towers and a masonry ghat near the riverbank along with the main tomb building. However, only the ruins of the main tomb with a simple square plan and almost no architectural ornamentation have survived. Each side of this square tomb building is about 79 feet in length. The central chamber is octagonal in shape with eight arched recesses including four pentagonal arches and four square openings in all four directions. This central chamber is inter-connected to the four square chambers in the corners with the side halls or porches. The upper part of the tomb has been so constructed to give a double storeyed effect to the tomb building. The shallow dome crowning the building has inverted lotus and a kalash finial on its top and pinnacles on all the four corners.