Sher Shah Suri Tomb , Bharat- Sasaram

The tomb of Sher Shah Suri is a mausoleum located in Sasaram, in the Indian state of Bihar. Sher Shah Suri, who was the founder of the Sur Empire, commissioned the tomb for himself. It was completed on 16 August 1545, about three months after his death.

It is situated on a square plinth in the middle of an artificial lake, accessible by a causeway. The tomb, made out of sandstone, was originally painted in bright colours and decorated with glazed tiles. It is a three-storied octagonal building, surmounted by a large dome. Chhatris are located on each edge of the second and third stories. A veranda runs along the circumference of the tomb, with each side having three arched openings.

Arched windows, embellished with latticed screens serve to illuminate the interior. Entrance is from all sides except the western side, which is the qibla wall reserved for prayer. At the center of the western wall is the prayer niche, which is elaborately decorated with carvings and tile work.

The tomb, which was the largest mausoleum in India at the time of its completion, is considered a significant example of Indo-Islamic architecture and one of the most important monuments in Bihar. It is listed as a monument of national importance.

History

Sher Shah’s Mausoleum, Sasaram by Thomas Daniell, 1810.
The tomb was commissioned by Sher Shah during his lifetime, possibly in 1542. Three months before the completion of the tomb, Sher Shah died in an accidental gunpowder explosion in the fort of Kalinjar on 22 May 1545. Construction continued during the reign of Islam Shah Suri , and the tomb was completed on 16 August 1545. At the time of its completion, it was the largest mausoleum in all of India.

Local tradition identifies Mir Muhammad Aliwal Khan as the architect of the tomb.

In 1778, William Hodges became among the first British landscape painters to visit India. While there, he made careful observations of the art and architecture he encountered. He published an illustrated book about his travels in India in 1794. In his book, he described the Tomb of Sher Shah Suri in detail.

J P Nagar, Rauza Rd, Laxkariganj, Sasaram, Bihar 821115