The tomb of Mu'izz-ud-din Mubarak Mubarak Shah Sayyid is somewhat taller in

Shah Sayyid (1421-1434), follows the precedent proportion to the earlier tomb and its
established in the Tomb of Khan-i Jihan Tilangani. construction indicates dressed stone rather than
Mubarak Shah was the second sultan of the short a rougher construction covered with stucco as is
lived Sayyid Dynasty, a dynasty that was put in seen in the former. Over each of the central portal
place in 1414 CE, by the Mongol Tunur the Lame, of the eight sided fa~ade are found tall chatri,
the feared Tamburlaine, the Scourge of God (See: rather than the simple domes of the former. The
Cur-Emir, Plate 128, p. 275). This dynasty's tenure dome of the Tomb of Khan-i Jihan Tilangani is
was such that it is not noted for important hemispherical, whereas, that of the Tomb of
architectural achievements. However, the Tomb Mubarak Shah Sayyid is formed in elevation, by
of Mubarak Shah Sayyid'36 is of some significance. an rather flat elliptical shape extending from a
The octagonal plan-i.e., Type D-e basic shallow drum form. The dome rests upon a
plan-is nearly identical to that of the standard, sixteen sided drum, rather than the usual
the Tomb of Khan-i Jihll;n Tilangani. The inner core octagonal form seen in many tombs. Finally, both
is pierced by seven portals. The eight, on the qibla possess an ambulatory for the purpose of
is formed into a mikhrab. As with the former the circumambulating; a practice also seen in both
Tomb of Mubarak Shah Sayyid possesses a chajja the Buddhist and Hindu traditions. Originally,
with a modest extension and unlike the dramatic the mausoleum sat within its own octagonal
overhang that is to be seen in later tombs. The enclosure, but the centuries have encroached
~er masonry walls are virtually as thick as upon this space to the extent that only the tomb·
found in Tomb ofKhan-i Jihan Tilangani. However, remains.
there are a number of variations, most of which As with the earlier standard, the interior
are seen in the elevation. First, the Tomb of space is substantial (See: Figure 86). It is to be

Figure 86: Tomb of Mubarak Shah Sayyid, indication Figure 87: Tomb of Mubarak Shah Sayyid, application
of internal space of circular Manduka Mandala
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----Mecca
◄◄

65
noted that later tombs of the same basic type -- Shah Sayyid . In this application, the cenotaph is
i.e., Type D-possess thinner walls allowing for encircled by the brahmtfsthana and the domed
more inner space than is seen here. Nonetheless, inner area falls within the next ring. The third
in comparison to indigenous temples, the space band runs within the ambulatory and bisects the
is considerable. eight small chatri that rest over the central portals
Since the basic design is composed of an of the eight sides, and, of course, the outer ring
octagon, a circular Manduka Mandala is applied enfolds the whole.
(See: Figure 87) to the plan of the Tomb ofMubarak The application of a Deshiya Mandala over
the elevation indicates a number of interesting
proportions. The portals fall within the lower
three ranks of pada (See: Figure 88). The domes
of the chatri rest within the sixth rank Finally,
i ~" the dome rises to eight and a half ranks, but, more
n l importantly is contained within the middle six
1.-- r--.
V "\ files.
Seen amongst the surrounding, lather
;. ! } J I }. ) .\
;, ~- ~ encroaching buildings, the Tomb ofMubarak Shah
'\ I ~n
,J

Ill
/
'm ,n In~./ '\ I/
I\ Sayyid appears rather truncated, even squat in
nr tllilUlL , l lJi • !! 1
I 111.~ Llf i1fI II rnu "
comparison. Indeed, the the narrowness of the
ambulatory in comparison to the central space
mm p uu uu□ u
J Ulu 11 D --i,o LI □ U L IU U JU l IU CIU □ □ II.II □
and the rather short drum, coupled with a
~Ir- 1 . /j-
I '/
i '
I ...., V [\
II I'::~ .ri'\ ~ I
decidedly 'squat' dome gives this impression.
111 :11 I I "1f 11 I However, in its original form with its
/1 , 11 I I I surrounding enclosure, it must have been
I
. imposing, indeed. Certainly, it was suitable as a
Figure 88: Tomb of Mubarak Shah Sayyid, application depository for the last remains of a Sayyid ruler
of Deshiya Mandala over the elevation of the Delhi Sultanate.

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