Type: Monument - Tomb
Province: Sindh
District: Dadu
Period: Historic
Relative Chronology: 17th Century CE
Description: It is located Khudabad, district Dadu. The mausoleum of Mian Yar Muhammad, one of the early monuments of Kalhora dynasty in Sind, is believed to have been built by him. However, some of the scholars believe that the mausoleum was constructed by Mian Ghulam Shah Kalhora. According to the local tradition, the construction of the mausoleum was started by Yar Muhammad himself and completed by his son and successor Mian Noor Muhammad. Erected on a raised platform 214' long, 105' wide on western side and 8' high from the surroundings, the lofty mausoleum is in the western half of the enclosure. The mausoleum enclosed by a 5 feet high wall is approached by a flight of semi circular steps on the eastern side of the platform, similar to the one leading to Jami Masjid, Khudabad. The single domed tomb of Yar Muhammad Kalhora is a massive square building with one unassuming entrance in a high arched alcove. The lofty facade including the parapet is profusely decorated with enameled glazed tiles in regular panels. The great panel of coloured tiles above the entrance is a remarkable piece of work. Nearly ten feet square, it is made of no less than 240 square tiles, no two, except in the outer border, being alike. The large arched panels on either side of this, and below, are also worked out in the same way, though their designs, being that of a diaper, do not produce the same effect. The great central panel recalls the great rose windows in Gothic work. The exterior sides except the front of the mausoleum are each relieved with three equal arched recesses terminating at squinch level. The three sides are also richly covered with glazed tiles in floral and geometrical designs in panels. High up above internally at squinch level is a vaulted gallery, over the thickness of the walls. The mausoleum of Yar Muhammad Kalhora is imposing by virtue of its height, especially due to the gallery, which also marks the zone of transition. This lower part of the drum of the dome is pierced at regular intervals by arched windows filled with a pair of grills on exterior and interior, each composed of powerful arabesque and geometric designs. Thus the light and air so doubly broken and filtered is shed inside the chamber. The gallery is approached by a flight of steps in the thickness of wall with an entrance from the north-western exterior corner. The dated inscription on the tomb of Mian Shari Muhammad inside the mausoleum of Yar Muhammad clearly indicates that the mausoleum was built prior to 1156 A.H. (1742 CE). Thus the construction of the mausoleum by Mian Ghulam Shah, who ruled from 1761 to 1772 CE is questionable. The mausoleum is either constructed by Mian Noor Muhammad; or as the local tradition says, started by Yar Muhammad in his life time and completed by his son and successor, which seems to be more convincing. Entered through an arched entrance in the eastern facade, now fitted with a modern two leaved door the mausoleum is octagonal in plan. A deep arched recess above the dado level is alternating with a low arched recess .at each cardinal point. Thus the square ground plan has been developed into a domed octagon interiorly. Each corner arch, in reality a gigantic squinch, reaches down the dado level. The hemi-spherical dome rests on an octagonal drum in two stages, the lower forms interior face of the gallery. The parapet above the alcove of the entrance is high enough to conceal considerably the dome. On four corners a masonry eight pillared kiosk invites attention. The interior of the mausoleum is white-washed above the dado level except the interior of the drum, which is painted in a floral design in regular rows in yellow, red and green colours. Dado is veneered with glazed tiles in a geometrical pattern, while the floor is of green glazed tiles. The colour scheme in paint and tiles sufficiently proves that the white-washed walls were also once tastefully decorated with floral paintings. In the centre of the mausoleum on a masonry platform, is the grave of Yar Muhammad Kalhora with a turban. The grave in lime neru, like the platform, has a wooden canopy, In the western arched recess is another platform with the grave of Muhammad Khan, son of Yar Muhammad Kalhora, while to the south of his tomb is an exquisitely carved stone grave, with a railing of six different geometrical patterns, of Mian Shafi Muhammad, son of Muhammad Khan. The grave stone has Ayatulkursi, Persian couplets and dated inscription. Outside the mausoleum in the enclosure are many graves of Kalhora family and faqirs laid on masonry platform and domed structures.
Latitude: 26.645513889
Longitude: 67.714436111
Ownership: Private
Legal Status: Not Protected
Title of Publication: Miscellaneous
Published In: Miscellaneous
Year of Publication: Miscellaneous
Bibliography/Reference: Anonymous
