Photo 1000/31(3216)

Genre: Architectural Photography

568 and 569. - Show two of the many windows, which grace the colonnade surrounding this mausoleum. Under No. 568 may be seen some of the broken slabs of white marble which have been allowed to fall from the tombs in the Quadrangle. The effect of these windows is light and graceful, and both in these and the doors the arch has been happily introduced. What the appearance of this mausoleum may have been from without, cannot now be ascertained. the natives having been allowed to build their miserable abodes in such a manner as completely to intercept the view.

Exactly facing the Ranee Hazeera mausoleum across the main street is that of Ahmed Shah. It is a massive structure lighted by windows of pierced stone similar to those shown in Photograph 603: here repose also besides the Sultan himself, his son Mahomet Shah, and his grandson Kootub Shah, and others of the same family. The tombs are of pure white marble covered with rich silks. A talc ball suspended from the ceilings hangs over the tomb of the Sultan Ahmed. The countenances of all are turned toward Mekkah in the West. Thus does it appear that in this proud city, the separation of the sexes was continued even in death, and different tombs were considered necessary for the Sultans and their Queens. There is a door communicating with the Jumma Musjid from the enclosure outside the tomb, but it is kept locked and seldom used.