It was Friday time, and i was standing on footpath, a little distant from mausoleum (Tomb) of Dai Anga. Qashani, a decorative tile work that was popular in Iran and later moved to the world, was shining in my eyeballs. I was gazing at the tile work that was looking prominent in all other buildings of Suburbs of Begumpura Lahore.
Qashani Tilework
It will stop you right at the entrance. And you will stand still with your wide open eyes. Thoughts questioning -how and what type of tiles and architecture will float in the sea of your mind.
Reminds you of Mughal Empire
The Mughals have gone. But, there architectural style, fresco work, paintings, designs, and everything they left still enough to amaze us. They brought the architectural legacy of Persia to the subcontinent.
These fresco flowers are removing themselves from the walls of the tomb. Time is calling at them -your time is up, it's time to evaporate yourself and vanish your beauty. But these floral frescos are a little stubborn.
[//]:# (!worldmappin 31.57920 lat 74.36407 long d3scr)
A beautiful Transitional world
This tomb is located at a strangly amazing place. On one side, metro train is passing, a lot of noise and sounds of vehicles, a busy road, suburb area, and houses that are making life busy and complex. In between all these bizarrely environment, a beautiful freshly fragrance is surrounded around the tomb of Dai Anga.
We walked inside the central chamber where the Mughal era fresco work is still alive in a fading manner. I know many things affected the real beauty of these fresco works, but i can observe these details like Quranic verses that are inscribed over walls.
You might be wondering who was Dai Anga?
She was Nurse of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. In her honor, this tomb was constructed. She is buried next to her daughter Sultana Begum.
Previously, the whole area was gateway to Gulabi Bagh(Pink Garden) but in 1671, the building of tomb was added to Gulabi Bagh and now it is called as Tomb of Dai Anga that is located inside Gulabi Bagh. A little complex to understand? I don't think so!
From height, i was able to capture some photos of the ceiling decorated with fresco work.
The central chamber is adjoined with eight adjacent rooms with different carvings and ceilings. It was like a complete puzzle- We were walking in one room and coming out of another. A quandary, difficult situation, to us.
To our surprise, a model photoshoot was going on over there. It was first time that i was observing any photo shoot from so close. In excitement, I shouted name of Moaz. I cannot forget that excitement and adrenaline that ran through my body😃. I wanted them to take my photos too for the magazine.
Because of the ongoing photoshoot, we were able to go upstairs of the tomb. The gate to upstairs was open. It was rare time that we got permission to go upstairs, and we could see the domb closely. It means that photoshoots of models were blessings to us. Though security guard was calling us to come downstairs. We asked for just five minutes.
Maintenance of the rooftop was in process. That's why we didn't spend much time over there and walked downstairs.
See you next time with another travel story!