The Forgotten 17th Century Tomb of Mian Bai

Date of Visit (29-03-2023)

(All pictures and writeup text used in this blog, is author's property, kindly respect copyrights)

Right at the entrance of Poonch House Colony, a neglected and weathered Mughal-era tomb from the seventeenth century stands forlorn. Its architectural style is somewhat reminiscent of the Zeb-un-Nisa tomb a few kilometers south at Nawakot.

Once, the tomb's original outer plaster remained untouched, but regrettably, the current caretaker covered it with a layer of cement and sand. Even the plaque indicating that the tomb belonged to Mian Bai was replaced with a new name, Mai Bukhari. Interestingly, this tomb has transformed into a shrine, where an annual Mela festival is celebrated.

Not far from this tomb, merely a few hundred meters away, the historic Chauburji gate stands. This splendid architectural marvel was once encircled by a grand garden, now lost to the passage of time. The story behind its creation is as captivating, intertwined with the enigmatic figure of Mian Bai.

In the year 1646, the Chauburji gate proudly showcases an inscription attributing its construction to "Sahib-e-Zebinda Begam-e-Dauran." The arch above it carries verses in Persian that describe the garden as a reflection of paradise, founded with the bounty of Zebinda Begam, gifted to Mian Bai.

"This garden, In the pattern of the garden of paradise, has been founded,

(The second line has been effaced)

"The garden has been bestowed on Mian Bai.

"By the bounty of Zebinda Begam, the lady of the age."

According to the nineteenth-century historian Syad Muhammad Latif, Mian Bai held a special place in Zebinda Begam's heart. As the garden's completion approached, Zebinda Begam presented it to Mian Bai. The Shah Jahan-nama, a historical text, narrates how this gift came to be. The garden was planned by Zebinda Begam, and Mian Bai was entrusted with its construction and supervision.

A remarkable incident occurred when the garden was near completion. The Princess, Zebinda Begam's daughter, heard people discussing her visit to "Mian Bai's Garden." Recognizing the garden's connection to Mian Bai, the Princess decided to gift it to her. Upon reaching the garden, Mian Bai warmly welcomed the Princess, praying for her long life. This gesture was seen as a positive omen, leading Zebinda Begam to immediately transfer ownership of the garden to Mian Bai.

Syad Muhammad Latif's assumption that the inscribed "Zebinda Begam" refers to Zeb-un-Nisa might not withstand scrutiny. Zeb-un-Nisa, born in 1637, would have been a mere child when the garden's construction took place, making it improbable for her to command the resources needed for such an endeavor. A more plausible candidate emerges in the form of Jahan Ara Begam, Shah Jahan's daughter and Zeb-un-Nisa's aunt.

photo taken by Dr. Zishan

My good historian friend Dr. Zishan helped me out in writing this article, he also told there were two other graves in outer perimeter of some person from Gurdaspur.