Sunday, October 20, 2024

Tomb of Bibi Pari, Dacca

Tomb of Bibi Pari / Image Credit

One of the famous Mughal monuments in Bangladesh, the seventeenth century tomb of Bibi Pari  was built by the Mughal Subahdar of Bengal Shaista Khan for her daughter Iran Dukht Rahmat Banu. She was married to Muhammad Azam Shah, son of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. 

Tomb of Bibi Pari is located within the Lalbagh Fort in Dacca. The construction of Lalbagh Fort, then known as  Aurangabad Qila, was started by Muhammad Azam Shah in 1678, and was being continued by his successor Shaista Khan. 

Mirza Abu Talib, popularly known as Shaista Khan, was appointed Mughal Subahdar of Bengal by his uncle and Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb after the death of Mir Jumla in 1663. 

Mir Jumla was made governor of Bengal in 1659 by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. He died while he was on his way to Dacca and was entombed at Thakurbari on the Assam-Meghalaya border in the westernmost part of West Garo Hills. 

Shaista Khan was sent by Aurangzeb to defeat Shivaji. However, he had to retreat when in 1663 Shivaji embarked on a surprise attack at the well-guarded mansion of Shayista Khan in Poona. In the scuffle Shaista Khan lost his thumb and his son, Abul Fath, was killed. This incident served a body-blow to the Mughal prestige in the Deccan. Aurangzeb recalled Shayista and transferred him to Bengal. 


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