Mir Abu Turab's Tomb Explained

Building Name:Mir Abu Turab's Tomb
Map Type:India Ahmedabad#India Gujarat
Map Size:300px
Location:Behrampura, Ahmedabad
Coordinates:23.0047°N 72.5766°W
Religious Affiliation:Islam
State:Gujarat
Municipality:Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation
Functional Status:Active
Architecture:yes
Architecture Type:Tomb
Architecture Style:Islamic architecture
Founded By:Mir Abu Turab
Year Completed:1597
Designated:National Monument of Importance
ASI Monument No. N-GJ-44

Mir Abu Turab's Tomb, locally known as Qadam-e-Rasul ki Dargah is a medieval tomb in Behrampura, Ahmedabad, India.

History

Mir Abu Turab was the chief of the army during Mughal rule of Akbar. In 1579, appointed chief of the Mecca caravan, he brought back a large stone from Mecca with a footprint of the Prophet Mohammed in 1582 (987 H.). This stone is said to have been the same which Syed Jalal-i-Bukhari brought to Delhi at the time of Sultan Firuz Shah Tughlaq. Taken first to Akbar at Fatehpur Sikri, Akbar looked on the whole as a pious fraud, and though the stone was received with great respect, Abu Turab was allowed to keep it in his house. When (1583) Itimad was made Governor of Gujarat, Abu Turab followed him as Amin of the Suba and was buried at Ahmedabad in 1597 (1005 H). The relic was afterwards brought to Ahmedabad, and perhaps near his tomb, had a building raised over it, and drew large numbers of pilgrims. In the disturbed times of the eighteenth century, as the suburbs were no longer safe, the stone was taken within the city walls. He also wrote a book on history of Gujarat, Tarikh-i-Gujarat.[1] [2] [3] [4]

The tomb was damaged in 2001 Gujarat earthquake and was restored in 2002 by Archaeological Survey of India.[5]

Architecture

Mir Abu Turab's tomb is simple and graceful, 12.5 sq m (forty-one feet) square platform with a double colonnade of pillars, the inner colonnade formerly enclosed by stone trellis work. Local in style the tomb shows the art in its best form. The flat lintels have throughout given place to the arch, and as no rich minaret bases clash with the plainness of the main building, the whole is uniform and pleasing. On each face three large and two small arches point to the presence of an octagonal dome, and, without confusing, relieve the sameness. The dome is supported by twelve pillars.[1] [2]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency: Ahmedabad. 1879. Government Central Press. 290–291.
  2. News: Neglect buries two heritage tombs. Times of India Publications. 22 November 2011. Mehul. Jani. 8 December 2014.
  3. News: AHMEDABADS OTHER ROZAS . Times of India Publications. 25 February 2011. https://archive.today/20141207180957/http://lite.epaper.timesofindia.com/mobile.aspx?article=yes&pageid=2&edlabel=TOIA&mydateHid=25-02-2011&pubname=&edname=&articleid=Ar00202&format=&publabel=TOI. dead. 7 December 2014. 7 December 2014.
  4. Book: Journal of the Bombay Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society. 1969. The Branch. 110–134.
  5. News: PEARLS OF PAST: Need Some Elbow Room. The Times of India. 25 November 2011. 7 December 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141213193323/http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Layout/Includes/pastissues2/ArtWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=pastissues2&BaseHref=TOIA%2F2011%2F11%2F25&ViewMode=HTML&PageLabel=2&EntityId=Ar00202&AppName=2. 13 December 2014. dead.