Tomb of Asif Khan: A Brief History

The tomb was built in 1637. It was commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan.

The octagonal shape of the tomb is made entirely of brick and sits at the center of a large quadrangle that is 300 yards across. The height is set so that it sits 3 feet 9 inches above a chabutra, or podium, situated in the center of a garden which measures 38 feet 8 inches on each side. The floor of the platform on which the tomb stands was built with Sang-e Abri, or red limestone.

The tomb has a double-layered large dome at the top which reflects the Mughal design style. Such bulbous domes were an innovation of Shah Jahan’s era and were used to great effect at other sites such as the Taj Mahal in Agra.

Built in the time of Emperor Shah Jahan, this mausoleum was famed for its lavish use of white marble and precious stone inlay. However, today, only traces of this remain. The interior dome depicts intricate flower-like reliefs while the floor once housed a glittering red sandstone surface. Sadly, many other beautiful treasures were gradually dismantled over the centuries by invading forces.

Today, the tomb of Asif Khan is a little-known but stunning example of Mughal architecture. His tomb can be found in Shahdara Bagh, Lahore. It lies west of the Tomb of Nur Jahan and is adjacent to the Tomb of Jahangir. Despite its neglect, the tomb of Asif Khan is an important reminder of the legacy of this forgotten emperor.

At the time of the Tomb’s construction, it was noted to feature some of the finest examples of building arts and crafts. The exterior originally was adorned with marble stone carved work and veneered with stucco tracery, and blue Kashi tiles. This is the typical Mughal style. The artwork still remains on the roof and main entrance of the tomb.

The cenotaph of Asaf Khan is built with white marble. Quranic verses are engraved on the top side of the grave while the sacred 99 names of Allah are written on the side walls.

The Akbari Sarai is situated in the Shahdara Bagh, Lahore. The Sarai was originally built for travelers who visit and take care of the Jahangir’s Tomb. The Sarai is well preserved and is served as a gateway to Janahngir’s and Asaf Khan’s Tomb. The Akbari Sarai was started in the mid-1550s. The building’s red sandstone is richly decorated with pietra dura.

The Sarai is in the form of a quadrangle, which covers a total area of 12 acres. The Sarai measures 797 feet by 610 feet in size. The whole complex was surrounded by a brick wall that had been painted white and decorated with blue patterns. There were large gardens inside, containing the Tomb of Asaf Khan.

The Akbari Sarai, along with the Tombs of Jahangir and Asif Khan, was inscribed on the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1993.

The tomb of Asaf Khan is located in Lahore, Pakistan. To get to the tomb, you can take a taxi or rickshaw from anywhere in the city. The tomb is located just outside the city center and is easy to find. Just ask your driver to take you to the “Tomb of Asaf Khan”.

When you arrive at the tomb, you will see a large dome red brick building surrounded by a beautiful garden. The tomb itself is located inside the building and is made of white marble. The tomb is open to visitors every day.