Tomb of Ala al-Din Bahmani
Ashtoor, India
The tomb of Sultan Ala al-Din Bahmani (r. 1436-1458/839-863 AH) is located in the necropolis of the Bahmani sultans in Ashtur, 2.5 km northwest of Bidar. The tomb is dated based on historical evidence to the sultan's death in 1458/863 AH, and is one of the earliest and largest in the necropolis along with the tomb of Ahmad Shah Bahmani. Strong Persian influence can be seen in the tomb, with the first appearance of true four-centered pointed Persian arches and traces of blue tilework. Each face of the single story facade has a large central arch flanked by two smaller recessed arches on each side. The pairs of smaller arches differ in dimensions, but are all of the same shape.

The square plan, domed tomb is notable for the first use of mosaic tile in Bidar, and for the black stone bands outlining decorative tile panels and running along the four corners of the monument.

Sources:

Merklinger, Elizabeth Schotten. Indian Islamic architecture: the Deccan 1347-1686, 114. Warminster, England: Aris & Phillips, 1981.

Merklinger, Elizabeth Schotten. Sultanate architecture of pre-Mughal India, 133. New Delhi: Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers, 2005.

Michell, George"Bidar." Grove Art Online. Oxford Art OnlineOxford University Press, accessed June 2, 2014http://www.oxfordartonline.com/subscriber/article/grove/art/T008773.

Yazdani, Ghulam. Bidar: its history and monuments, 130-132. London: C. Batey at the University Press, 1947.
Location
Ashtoor, India
Images & Videos
Events
1458/863 AH
Style Periods
Variant Names
Tomb of Ala al-Din
Variant
Tomb of Sultan Ala al-Din Shah Bahmani
Variant
Building Usages
funerary
Materials/Techniques