Sep 8, 2010

Banu Begum's tomb - Aurangabad 1860

Photograph of a view looking towards Banu Begum's mausoleum in Aurangabad from the Allardyce Collection: Album of views and portraits in Berar and Hyderabad, taken by J. Johnston in the 1860s. Aurangabad is situated on the Kham river in the Dudhana valley between the Lakenvara Hills and the Sathara mountain range in Maharashtra. Originally known as Khadke, it was founded in 1610 by Malik Amber at a crossroads of the region's major trade routes. It later became the base of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb and was renamed in his honour. This photograph is of the tomb of Bani Begum, the wife of one of Emperor Aurangzeb’s sons. Built in the 18th century, the tombs pavilions are balanced on slender pillars surmounted by Bengali-style domed roofs.

Photographer: J. Johnston
Source: British Library Website