Page:The Architecture of Ancient Delhi Especially the Buildings Around the Kutb Minar 1872 by Henry Hardy Cole.djvu/157

 Sultan GJwri. 105 Photograph XIX. NICHE IN THE TOMB CALLED "SULTAN GHORL' Note. — The white marks near the right pillar indicate feet. 9 HIS tomb is situated about three miles to the west of the Kutb and contains the remains of the eldest son of the Emperor Shams-ud-din Altamsh, — Nasir- ud-din Mahmud who was created Prince of Bengal by his father. He reigned at Lakhnauti [i. e. Gour the ancient capital of Bengal), and on his death, during the lifetime of Altamsh, was removed to Delhi, a. d. 1228. The tomb, which is called " Sultan Ghori." consists of a square enclosure with apartments on the four sides, on the west is a small moscpie made entirely of marble. In the centre of the enclosure is an underground chamber in Avhich is placed the tomb. The entrance is of marble, and above it are some verses from the Koran in Nuskh and Kufic characters. The examination of this photograph, so kindly undertaken by Dr. Rieu, resulted in the following information : — The outer band of inscription consists of Koran XLVIIL, verses 1-5. The inner border is Koran III., verses 16-17; and the band round the arch of the niche is Koran III., verses 90-91 ; whilst the inscription above the panel is the Muham- madan Creed. The Niche here photographed is situated in the building, and is composed of several blocks of white marble. The dimensions round the outer band of inscription measure ten feet nine inches wide by twelve feet six inches high, and the niche itself is four feet wide and eight feet high to the crown of the arch. It is curious as a piece of thirteenth century carving of somewhat crude design, and is dependent almost entirely on the Arabic and Kufic letters for ornamental details. Taken as a whole it has an agreeable effect, and possesses a character of outline and treatment which is to be found repeated in the niche in the tomb of Imtim Zamin ; but in this latter example the elaboration is greater, and the date of carving some three hundred years later. (See Photograph XXIII.)