Type: Monument - Tomb
Province: Sindh
District: Thatta
Period: Historic
Relative Chronology: 17th Century CE
Description: This is an octagonal tomb inhabiting the cenotaphs of Mirza Jani Beg and Mirza Ghazi Beg, which stand on a high platform built with dressed stone masonry. Pointed cusped arches form lofty portals with a doorway on the east and a mihrab on the west. The unusual cupula carries pierced openings. Extensive use of Thatta blue tiles in different forms has been noted. Mirza Jani Beg was a member of the Tarkhan Dynasty (1554-1591 CE) and the last independent ruler of Sindh before its annexation by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1591 CE. He was restored to his position under the Mughals but his son Ghazi Beg was deputing for him who ruled Sindh as Mughal Governor from 1599 to 1612 CE. The parapet has been placed on 76cm raised platform. It is square in form and measuring 4.80mx4.80. The height of the arch shaped merlons is 30cm. These merlons are running horizontally, which has provided a fence to the base of the drum. The diagonally laid lintels have converted the inner side into octagon. These octagonal laid lintels have converted the upper part in to sixteen arch panels. These have been enclosed by rectangular frames 30cm in length. These arch shaped panels are crowned by the zone of transition, representing intersecting arches The intersecting arches of the zone of transition has been crowned by the circular base of the domical ceiling, constructed through corbelling technique. The apex of this domical ceiling has been executed with a low pendent, depicting a sunflower. The low shaped drum is of round shape with a height of 8 cm from the floor of the roof. It is crowned by a moulded band in rope design, which is running around it. The tomb is crowned by an onion shape dome, which instead is crowned by a finial, whereas, its base is wrought with inverted lotus flower, executed in high relief.
A roofless mosque enclosure is located on the west of this Chaukhandi tomb, which is raised on a platform, added by an additional podium, which is separating the mosque from this Chaukhandi tomb. It is measuring 8.30x3.33m with a height of 20cm. The façade of the mehrab is composed of pointed arch, measuring 1.56x1.30m, whereas, its height is 2.86m. Moreover, the total height of the mehrab façade is 3.55 m. This pointed arch is enclosed by a rectangular frame. This mehrab arch is flanked on either side by two recessed arches, measuring 84x40cm, while their height is 1.58m. The mehrab is surmounted by the historic inscription carved in thulth character, recording the date 1095 A.H/1683 CE. The entire façade of the Qibla wall is denoting exquisite stone carving mostly in low relief, while very few in high relief. The theme of embellishment comprises both floral and geometrical patterns. In this process, David star, chevron motif, stylised lozenges, chain design, beaded element are some of the frequently executed specimen in geometrical category.
Latitude: 24.752416667
Longitude: 67.899727778
Ownership: Federal Government
Legal Status: Protected by The Antiquity Act 1975 (As amended in 1992)
Title of Publication: Inventory of Cultural Property in the Province of Sindh, Pakistan, 2015
Published In: Government of Sindh, Vol 4
Year of Publication: 2015
Bibliography/Reference: Jansen, Michael, Yasmeen Lari
