Jehanghir's Tomb

The fine sepulchre of Jahanghir near Lahore (A.D. I627-8), is much less familiar to tourists than the buildings at Lahore. Agra and Delhi, is remarkable for its display of 'all the re sources of inlaying in marble, stone, and pottery, lavished on the central tomb. There is no structure in India which pre sents so many classes of mosaic work as this' (Cole). These classes comprise black and white panels filled with outlines of flagons and other objects, executed in a style possessing dignity without excessive severity; zigzag bands of variegated marbles and coloured stones; mosaics in geometrical patterns; pie/ra dura work in the Florentine fashion; and mosaics in enamelled tiles. The art of embellishing buildings by the application of amples of enamelled tiles was derived, through Persia, from the old- enamelled tiles. world craftsmen of Assyria and Babylonia. It was introduced into India by the Mluhammadan invaders during the twelfth century, and from that time was frequently employed with great effect. Good early examples of this form of decoration are to be seen at Multan on the tombs of Baha-ul-hakk and Rukn-ud- din, dating from the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. The colours employed are dark blue, azure, and white. Tiles of green, yellow, and blue colour were used extensively to adorn the palace of the Hindu Raja, Man Singh, at Gwalior, which was built at the beginning of the sixteenth century. The floral patterns executed in green, yellow, and blue tile mosaics on the walls of Jahangir's tomb (A.ID. 1627-8) are extremely effective.