About Itimad ud Daulah Ornamentation:
Mosaic and Inlay work has been widely used in the tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah. The white marble interiors are adorned with prolific, graceful and convoluted stylized inlay and stucco designs. The main gateway showcases white marble inlay work on red sandstone. Geometrical designs and wine vases are depicted frequently. The red sandstone platform has bands of highly stylized floral patterns and creepers. The tomb marks the use of dados in their fully developed forms as a distinct feature of architectural embellishment. The sides of entrance arches above the dados have superb inlaid work too with the designs characteristic of the times of Jehangir such as vases with serpentine handles and cypress motifs. The extensive use of rare and semi precious stones of all hues and shades are used for this inlay mosaic work such as agate, carnelian, garnet, jade, jasper, lapis lazuli, opal, onyx and turquoise used in combination with black, white and yellow marble. The central hall, the corner chambers and side halls boast of exceptional wall and stucco paintings depicting guldastas, wine vases, cypress and other Persian motifs. Embroidery designs are often used as the incised stucco on the ceilings and animal motifs can be seen frequently. The designs in the central chamber seem to be moving and human figures are unexpectedly depicted in a scheme of painted panels. Inscriptions on white marble panels can be seen on the frieze, above the arches and the octagonal towers.
General Information about Itimad ud Daulah Ornamentation:
Location: Fatehpur Sikri
State: Uttar Pradesh
Capital: Lucknow
Language: Hindi, English
Temperature: Max 42˚C, Min 27˚C (summer), Max 26˚C, Min 14˚C (winter)
Best Season: October to February
How to Reach Itimad ud Daulah Ornamentation:
By Air:
Kheria airport in Agra is the nearest airport from Fatehpur Sikri. Domestic flights are available to Agra from important places of India. From the airport, you have to reach Fatehpur Sikri via road route.
By Train:
Nearest major railway station is located in Agra. Agra railway is served by large number of express trains from important places of the country. Taj Express, Shatabdi express and several other trains are available from Delhi to Agra. Trains are available at regular intervals between Agra and Fatehpur Sikri.
By Bus:
UPSTDC, ITDC and other private operators arrange conducted tours to Fatehpur Sikri, but the tour buses stop only for an hour. If you want to spend longer time at Fatehpur Sikri it is better you take a regular bus from the Idgah Bus Stand.