 Itimad-ud-daulah (Pillar of the State) is the tomb of Mirza Ghiyas Beg, chief minister and father-in-law of Emperor Jahangir. Known as the 'Baby Taj' it is a few miles down river from the Taj Mahal. As the first building to be faced entirely in marble in Mughal Agra, it embraces lavish use of 'pietra dura' inlaid decoration. Much less famous than its neighbour, a visit here is relatively quiet and, for many, Itimad-ud-daulah surpasses the Taj in both its setting and in the profusion of its floral and geometric patterned surfaces.      |