The Thermopylae of Rajasthan

(A Poetic Tribute to the famous Battle of Haldighati, fought between the numerically superior and materially prosperous Mughal Empire led by Raja Man Singh and the fiercely Independent Mewar Kingdom led by the famous Maharana Pratap, on 18th June, 1576 CE. The battle is regarded as the Themopylae of Rajasthan for the heroic last stand of Mewar.) 

The Forts of Rajputana shook at the Great Mughals' gumption

with new allies and old foes all seeking redemption.

Yet, on the turmeric colored pass, Mewar's Rana stood tall;  

For his warriors, the battle's a game, with no fear of fall. 

@ Museum, Haldighati

Men, Horses, Elephants all set for glory; 

Ambition clashed with courage, and the result's very gory. 

Near the impregnable Kumbhalgarh, a tryst with blood  was sought,

and with Saffron clad frenzy, the outnumbered Rana's troops fought. 

 

Me at Haldighati Pass

But the forces of the Emperor's trusted lieutenant were not ill prepared,  

and the deadly battle raged on, with hell's cynical glare.  

The adjacent pond became redder and redder with each passing minute;

The victors and vanquished became inseparable with no escape route 

Me at Haldighati

Then at that fateful movement, the noble & sweet stallion Chetak was wounded;

With worse to come, with all hope lost, the Rana’s forces were rounded. 

The Bhils rallied behind Rana, but the battle was long over,  

The bloody day ended, but the battle and the warriors’ deeds remain etched in Mewar’s folkore. 

Samadhi of Chetak, Halighati

"The Thermopylae of Rajasthan" (Poem /Poetic Tribute/ English) 

Maheeth Veluvali, 

16 Saladi Jamindar Street, 

Palakollu. 

Friday, 20eth of March, 2026.

The 'Jewel Box' of Agra

Tomb of Itimad Ud Daula

 (Tomb of Itimad Ud Daula, Agra, Uttar Pradesh - March 2023)

The itinerary that was supposedly planned for me by the auto wallah was modified with my caveat - that I'd like to visit the tomb of Itimad Ud Daula. From the perspective of Agra Cantonment Railway Station (locally called 'Chavani'), and regarding tourists in general, this monument is usually skipped as people remain in perpetual awe and throng the Taj Mahal in droves ignoring other lesser known places. It is located across the Yamuna river, a bit far from Agra Fort and the Taj Mahal. The auto passed through the dusty lanes of Agra, bypassing sweet shops selling Petha. Agra wasn't modern in any sense, and the civic amenities are found lacking. And, one fine late March morning, I stood before the Tomb of Itimad Ud Daula, and I was the only visitor there.

Me @ Tomb of Itimad Ud Daula

 

There are three iconic monuments of Mughal Architecture, primarily and loosely based on the Tomb of Tamelane in Uzbekistan :-

1. Tomb of Humayun

2. Tomb of Itimad Ud Daula

3. The Taj Mahal 

@ Tomb of Itimad Ud Daula

 

The first two were commissioned by women and the third was in memory of a woman. The tomb of Itimad Ud Daula, built between 1622 and 1628 CE, was commissioned by Nur Jahan, Consort of  Emperor Jahangir, in memory of her father, Mirza Ghais Baig, a noble who started his career under Akbar, the Great. The noble was honoured as 'Itimad Ud Daula' i.e, "pillar of the state".  The building, essentially a mausoleum, marks a paradigm in Mughal architechture, as the Red Sandstone was replaced by White Marble. By early 17th Century, the Mughals were an established power in North India, with their confidence aided by imperial consolidation reflected in their buildings.

@ Tomb of Itimad Ud Daula

 

The mausoleum's exterior is betrayed by it's rich interior. The European technique of 'Pietra Dura' was first applied here, wherein exquisite precious stones and gems were used in creating beautiful paintings and decoration, often embellished in the form of flower vases, symmetrical objects etc,. The minarets and the overall façade point to a methodical and mathematical precision. Few years later, the tomb would inspire the Taj Mahal, now a Wonder of the World. Verily, it stands up to the moniker, ‘Baccha Taj / Baby Taj’ and ‘Jewel Box’.   

 

Pietra Dura Work @ Tomb of Itimad Ud Daula

The 'Jewel Box' of Agra

Maheeth Veluvali,
16 Saladi Jamindar Street, Palakollu,.
24th of May, 2025.

The Taj Mahal

March 2023 CE (Chaitra 1945 SE) - Taj Mahal, Agra, Uttar Pradesh

"

An idyllic walk down the battered roads of Agra, by and by,

led to the Mausoleum of the Emperor's ladylove. 

And lo, this glittering monument of beauty,

more a symbol of skill and power, than love.

Pages of praise, poignant and poetic mark this Mahal's story, 

where medieval engineering married opulent endeavor.

The Mughals left, so did the British, with no sorry,

Yet this timeless grandeur flourishes with matchless measure.

The outward pointed Minars and the Bulbous Ivory White Double Dome,

the Pristine Pietra Dura  and the Joyful Jali work;

Here, the nightmares of reality are toyed by dreams that roam,

and sheer marvel and appreciation make their mark.

 

On the banks of Yamuna, refusing to be ravaged by the tests of time;

stands this Wonder of the World, in all glory and prime.  

 "    

"The Taj Mahal" - on Taj Mahal, Agra

16 Saladi Jamindar Street, Palakollu

Sunday, 08th of September, 2024.

Maheeth Veluvali.

Akbar's Abandoned Project

@ Buland Darwaza, Fatehpur Sikri

Fathepur Sikri, Uttar Pradesh. - March, 2023
Fathepur Sikri is a city in Uttar Pradesh, located 43 kms away from Agra housing Mughal Monuments like imperial palace, Buland Darwaza, Sheikh Salim Chisti's Tomb, Jama Masjid, Pancha Mahal etc. Prima Facie, the dusty, dotted road connecting Agra with Jaipur offers a deceptively simple view of Fathepur Sikri - the brief capital of Great Mughals in 16th Century, a pet project of Akbar I (r.c.1556-1605 CE), and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Infact, the city was inhabited even before the advent of Mughals, right from the times of Sungas.

View from Buland Darwaza

@ Buland Darwaza, Fatehpur Sikri

The red sandstone ramparts are dominated by Buland Darwaza, world's tallest gateway. Commissioned by Akbar after his conquest of Gujarat in c.1570s CE, standing at 55 meters / 177 feet, the gateway leads to the Jama Masjid of Fatehpur Sikri. The white marble encased tomb of Sheikh Salim Chisti is a popular Dargah that attracts the devout. One must be wary of the wayside hawkers and self styled guides who seem to be omnipresent. The site offers great insights into Muhgal era lifestyle. Of particular interest is the five storied Pancha Mahal, with a gradual size decrease in each tier, an amalgamation of Buddhist, Hindu and Islamic styles. 

Treasury, Fatehpur Sikri

@ Tomb of Sheikh Salim Chisti

The Shabistan-I-Iqbal (wrongly called as Jodha Bhai's Palace), Turkish Queen's House, Treasury, Elephant Stables are other important places of interest. The Diwan-i-Aam (People's Assembly) as well as the lavish Diwan-i-Khaas, the quintessential Mughal buildings are also constructed.  It appears that the city was conceived in a grandiose way. One of the local guides pointed out a simple yet elegant Mughal creativity - air ducts embedded into walls that provide a breadth of fresh and cool air even in the heights of summer!  

Elephant Stables, Fathepur Sikri

Fathepur Sikri, at it's zenith matched Delhi and Agra and was the grandest Mughal city, citadel of Great Mughals under Akbar. However, the city was abandoned later on, during Akbar's time itself. In the words of British traveler William Finch, "it is all ruinate, lying like a waste desert" (c.1610s CE). The reason for the abandonment was simple - water! The lack of planning and execution regarding water supply spelt doom and caused disinterest in Akbar, making Fatehpur Sikri his most ambitious abandoned project. 

Pancha Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri

One would fervently hope that the planners of the modern smart cities are aware of Fathepur Sikri!

Akbar's Abandoned Project - on Fathepur Sikri

16 Saladi Jamindar Street, Palakollu

Sunday, 28th of July, 2024

Maheeth Veluvali.