Beaches

Monuments of India

Indian Festivals

Colleges

Schools

Universities

Companies

Forts

Museums

Places to See in India Places to Visit in Bangalore Tourist Places in Delhi Mumbai Places to See Tourist Places in Nasik Places to See in Pahalgam Places to See in Chennai India Tourism Delhi Attractions Delhi Mosques Bara Gumbad Masjid Begumpuri Masjid Fatehpuri Masjid Jama Masjid Khirkee Masjid Quwwat-ul - Islam Masjid Delhi Temples Birla Mandir Kali Bari Mandir Kalkaji Temple Lotus Temple Delhi Tombs Humayun’s Tomb Jamali Kamali Tomb Ala-ud-dins Tomb Sultan Ghari’s Tomb Tomb of Altamash Tomb of Ghiyasuddin Delhi Churches Cathedral Church Roman Catholic Church Delhi Forts Delhi Red Fort Purana Qila Tughlaqabad Fort Nai-ka-Kot Ruins Colonial Architecture India Gate Supreme Court King George V Memorial Northern Ridge Parliament House Regal Building Rashtrapati Bhavan Connaught Place Monuments Jantar Mantar Alai Darwaza Alai Minar Qutub Minar Other Attractions Bijai Mandal Feroze Shah Kotla Gole Dak Khana Gurudwara Bangla Sahib Jeevan Bharti Bhawan Lodi Garden Patel Chowk Satpula Surajkund Teen Murti Bhavan About Delhi History Delhi Attractions Contemporary Delhi Land Food & Cuisine Arts Faclities Museums Shopping Sports Hotels In Delhi

The Tomb of Altamash

In the same complex is the tomb of Shams-ud-din Altamash (1211-36), the son-in-law and successor of Qutub-ud-din Aibak.
Altamash is widely regarded as the real founder of the Delhi sultanate and had a very successful reign (see history).

His tomb was built in 1235 and is quite an interesting example of Islamic architecture in India. It marks the phase when the sultans had stopped spare parts from broken temples for their buildings. The building was made from foundation up and not assembled.
It seems that there had been plans to cover the tomb chamber with a dome, as is obvious from the squinches which make their first appearance in this building. It is said, once the dome fell but was replaced by Feroze Shah Tughlaq and then again fell down, beating even his patience for it was not replaced.

Inside the tomb there are three mihrabs (prayer niches). The central one of these is located higher than the other two and is profusely decorated with marble. The tomb itself is quite simple, but its entrance is intricately carved with geometrical and arabesque patterns. There are some Hindu motifs too though – like wheels, the lotus, diamonds and so on.