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Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb, Agra is one of the significant architectural marvels of the city as well as the country. Often dubbed as the 'jewel box', Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb is also considered to be the "draft" of the Taj Mahal. That is why it is also referred as the Baby Taj. Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb also comprises of numerous outbuildings and gardens. The tomb was built between 1622 and 1628 and it is indicative of the first phase of monumental Mughal architecture. Like the Humayun's Tomb in Delhi and Akbar's tomb in Sikandra, the Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb is built from red sandstone with marble decorations. Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb was commissioned by Nur Jahan for her father Mirza Ghiyas Beg, who had received the title Itimad-ud-Daula. Incidentally Mirza Ghiyas Beg is also the grandfather of Mumtaz Mahal, whose husband Shah Jahan is responsible for building the Taj Mahal. Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb is situated on the left bank of the Yamuna River and it is set in a large cruciform garden interspersed with water courses and walkways. The base of the tower is about 50 meter square and 1 meter high; the tomb is about 23 meters square and on each corner of the tomb are located hexagonal towers, which are about 13 meters tall. The walls of the tomb are built of white marble from Rajasthan embellished with semi-precious stone decorations that include cornelian, jasper, lapis lazuli, onyx, and topaz. The interiors of the tomb receive light from the delicate jali screens of intricately carved white marble. Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb also entombs many relatives of Nur Jahan. There is an asymmetrical element in the tomb, which is caused by the side-by-side placement of the cenotaphs of Nur Jahan's father and mother. This formation has been replicated in the Taj Mahal. Thus, Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb in Agra emerges as one of the significant architectural marvels of the country and people from all over the world visit to the place to witness the enthralling beauty of the monument.
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