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{{Infobox historic site
| designation1 = MANI
| designation1_offname = Shamsher Khan's tomb
| designation1_number = N-PB-7
| image = Shamsher Khan's Tomb, Batala, Gurdaspur (Punjab).jpg
| coordinates = {{Coord|31|48|43.7|N|75|12|48.2|E|type:landmark_IN-PB|display=inline,title}}
| location = [[Batala]], Punjab, India
| architecture = [[Mughal architecture|Mughal]]
| built = c. 1589–90
}}

'''Tomb of Shamsher Khan''' is a [[mausoleum]] and historic site located in [[Batala]], in the Indian state of [[Punjab]]. Built during the 16th century, it is an example of [[Mughal architecture|Mughal]] architecture. Situated upon a raised platform, the tomb is octagonal in plan, with each side featuring two rows of recessed arches. It is surmounted by a low dome. It is listed as a [[Monuments of National Importance (India)|monument of national importance]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alphabetical List of Monuments - Punjab |url=http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_alphalist_punjab.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714020029/http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_alphalist_punjab.asp |archive-date=2014-07-14 |website=[[Archaeological Survey of India]]}}</ref><ref name="ASI Inventory">{{Cite book |last= |first= |url=https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.84884/page/n161/mode/2up |title=Inventory of monuments and sites of national importance |date=1999 |publisher=The Director General, [[Archaeological Survey of India]] |volume=1, Part 2: Chandigarh Circle |location=New Delhi |pages=141}}</ref>

== Background ==
An inscription, carved near the entrance of the southern tomb, states that Shamsher Khan had built a reservoir, a mosque, and a garden in [[Batala]] in 1589–90, during the reign of [[Akbar]].<ref name="ASI Inventory" /> While there is no mention of the tomb, it was presumably constructed around the same time.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Parihar |first=Subhash |url=https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.72767/page/n49/mode/2up |title=Mughal monuments in the Punjab and Haryana |date=1953 |publisher=Inter-India Publications |location=New Delhi |pages=32}}</ref>

Not much is known about the identity of Shamsher Khan. The only contemporary source in which the name appears is the ''[[Muntakhab-ut-Tawarikh]]'', where it is noted that he was an [[eunuch]] who served as the superintendent of the exchequer in 1577–78. Later sources variously describe him as a foster brother of Akbar, or as a ''[[Rajput]]''. However, the inscription of the tomb does not identify him as so.{{sfn|Parihar|1999|pp=106}}

== Description ==
[[File:Hazira park.jpg|thumb|Tomb of Shamsher Khan]]

The tomb is an example of [[Mughal architecture|Mughal]] architecture. It is situated on a platform, measuring {{Dimensions|34|39}} meters. At each corer of the platform, a circular [[Turret (architecture)|turret]] is provided, crowned with a small dome. A low wall runs around it, with a ''[[mihrab]]'' (prayer-niche) carved into its western side. The platform is accessible through an entrance at the southern side.<ref name=":0" />{{sfn|Parihar|1999|pp=104}}

The plan of the mausoleum is an irregular octagonal, with sides that alternate in length. Each side of the facade features two stories of [[Niche (architecture)|niches]] formed by pointed [[Arch|arches]]. The smaller sides, measuring 6 meters in length, have semi-octagonal niches, while rectangular niches are found on the larger sides which measure about 8.3 meters in length. The larger sides correspond with the cardinal directions. The [[Spandrel|spandrels]] of the arches are decorated with [[Arabesque]] designs, and each arch is flanked by two rows of panels on either side.<ref name=":0" />{{sfn|Parihar|1999|pp=104}}

A [[parapet]] runs along the top of the building, with its height including the parapet being 10.4 meters. It is surmounted by a [[dome]], resting upon a [[Tholobate|drum]] about 1.6 meters tall. The entrance to the tomb is from the south, and features the tomb's inscription, carved into red [[sandstone]]. The interior is a regular octagon, with each side measuring about 3 meters. The interior as well as the exterior of the mausoleum contained painted floral, geometric, and calligraphic designs. However, while the decoration on the interior has survived, only traces of it remain on the exterior.{{sfn|Parihar|1999|pp=104}} A pattern of ''[[Swastika|swastikas]]'' runs along the base of the [[soffit]] of the dome.<ref name=":0" />

== References ==
===Citations===
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
* {{Cite book |last=Parihar |first=Subhash |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6hlxZfrFPEoC&dq=%22tomb+of+shamsher+khan%22&pg=PA10 |title=Some Aspects of Indo-Islamic Architecture |date=1999 |publisher=Abhinav Publications |isbn=978-81-7017-381-6 |pages=104–106 |language=en}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Shamsher Khan's Tomb}}
* [https://vmis.in/ArchiveCategories/collection_gallery_zoom?id=1239&siteid=6959&minrange=0&maxrange=0&assetid=68452&self_archive_id=105728&index=5&page=&count=24 Some images of the tomb]

[[Category:Domes in India]]
[[Category:Monuments of National Importance in Punjab, India]]
[[Category:Mughal tombs]]
[[Category:Tombs in India]]
[[Category:Historic sites in Punjab, India]]

Tomb of Shamsher Khan (Batala) - Revision history

Bahoglalat: added stub