Tansen Tomb, Gwalior
Keynotes on Gwalior Tansen Tomb
Address: 27 B, Tansen Rd, Tansen Nagar, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh 474002
Opening time: 9.00 am to 6.00 pm
Entry Fee: Free
Famous for: Stunning architecture and enchanting landscape
Visit Duration: One hour
Best time to visit: October to March is suitable for the trip
How to Reach: Being a popular tourist spot of Gwalior, visitors can book a cab or board a bus to reach the destination.
As one of the most fascinating historical towns of India, Gwalior is a history buff’s paradise. Home to a supposedly 10th-century hilltop fort (many believe that the fort is much older), Gwalior offers its visitors a chance to come across the most interesting periods of Indian history. Located an important strategic point, the metropolis has been conquered, lost, and recaptured by several dynasties trying to make a holding in the rocky Deccan plateau.
Among the important landmarks of the city, the Gwalior Tansen Tomb is undoubtedly one of the favorites among the tourists. Located in a stunning lawn compound, the landmark houses the tombs of royal musician Tansen and his teacher Sufi saint Mohammed Ghaus. The beautiful tombstones have a beautiful architecture, which enhances the beauty of the place.
The write-up is trying to uncover the delicate beauty of the place, helping the visitors in exploring the place better.
The overview of the Tansen Tomb, Gwalior
Dedicated to two important historical figures in the Mughal court, the smaller tomb structure was dedicated to Tansen while the larger one is dedicated to Sufi saint Mohammed Ghaus. Historical records point out that the monuments were constructed in the 16th century, during the reign of Emperor Akbar – the third Mughal ruler of India.Tansen was an important figure in the Mughal court. He was the royal singer and has been one of the biggest contributors to the Hindusthani School of Music. According to some legends, Tansen would create beautiful and enchanting music renditions that could cause rain or spell-bind birds. Each year, an annual music festival is organized in the area in the honor of the great maestro.
Sufi saint Mohammed Ghaus was an Afghan prince turned mystic, had a great influence in the Mughal court – especially during the reign of Babar and Humayun. The mystic accompanied the first Mughal Emperor, Babar, during his campaign to Gwalior.
A few historical texts propose that Akbar commissioned these tombs, honoring the two important figures of the Mughal court. However, there are a few scholars who beg to differ.
The architecture of the Tansen Tomb
This 16th-century monument is made from sandstone and bears several significant features of Mughal architecture including a vast garden area, columnar hexagonal pillars, and a primary dome. Both the tombs are built on an elevated platform and have detailed jali-work on them. Tansen’s tomb is a comparatively smaller structure and is supported by multiple pillars. Intricate and detailed latticework could also be found here, giving this place an interesting look. The tomb of Mohammed Ghaus or Ghaus Mohammed is housed in a larger room, which opens up to a verandah.The accompanying garden area, during the blooming season, is a beautiful sight.
Annual Tansen Sangeet Samaroh
One of the important social events of Gwalior, the Annual Tansen Sangeet Samaroh hosted at the mausoleum complex. Tansen, an important music figure of Hindustani School of Music, is attributed to developing several styles of singing. The annual four-day-long festival, hosted at the end of the year, honors singers who have devoted their lives to Indian classical music. Each year the biggest names of classical music and singing, participate at the festival.The mausoleum and the nearby garden area are one of the popular destinations among locals for picnics and evening strolls. The stunning landscape and the lush greenery is always a pleasurable sight for tourists, after a hectic sightseeing schedule.
A pilgrimage for Indian Classical music aficionado, the Gwalior Tansen Tomb along with the Gaus Mohammad tomb is a beautiful place to visit.