Information on Sher Shah Suri Tomb (Rohtas, Bihar) - History & Architecture

The tomb of Sher Shah Suri is located at Sasaram town in the state of Bihar. The tomb is a memorial dedicated to the founder of the Suri Dynasty by defeating the Mughal Empire. The tomb was started in the year 1540 and took 5 years to complete.

Sher Shah Suri Tomb Architecture

The tomb is a symbol of the architectural magnificence that existed even during those erstwhile days. The construction of the tomb and its design was headed by Aliwal Khan who was an architect. The style that the tomb has been built in represents the Indo-Islamic architecture which was at its height during those days.

The tomb has been constructed out of red sandstone and is one of the grandest structures to be made by Sher Shah Suri. The tomb stands tall and elegant in the middle of a square water tank and looks down from a height of 9.15 metres. The tank measures around 305 metres and is filled with water. The tomb has a terrace which is enclosed with a perimeter of parapet walls that are separated by octagonal domes at the four corners.

The mausoleum is located at the center of the terrace on a plinth that is octagonal in shape. The mausoleum is a large one and has a large octagonal chamber that is surrounded by 310 meters wide veranda. Each arm of the octagonal chamber is 17 metres in length and at the corner of each octagonal arm is a pillared cupola.

The tomb measures at a height of 37.57 metres and its interiors are well ventilated via the large windows. The interior of the tomb is well lighted by the natural light that enters through the windows that have been placed at the top of the walls. There is an inscription on the western wall above the mirabh that records the completion of the tomb by Salim Shah. The inscription on the wall states in two lines that the tomb was completed on the 7th day of Jumada AH 1952 which in AD would be 1545.

Sher Shah Suri did not get to see the completion of his tomb as it was completed somewhere around three months after his accidental death.

Sher Shah Suri Tomb History

Sher Shah Suri was a Pathan and hailed from Bihar. His most known conquest was that of the Mughal Empire whom he defeated to establish the Suri dynasty. He actually was served in the Mughal army as a soldier and quickly rose to the ranks of a commander. He was then appointed as a governor of Bihar due to his brilliance in strategy and administration.

The establishment of the Suri dynasty by him was brought about in the year 1537 when Humayun the son of the Mughal Emperor Babur was away for an expedition. He attacked Bengal and over ran it during this opportunity to gain ground in Northern India. The Mughal Empire fell in 1940 after his siege of Northern India and then Sher Shah Suri took over. His rule however was short lived as he died in an accidental explosion of gunpowder at the fort of Kalinjar on the 13th of May 1545.

Sher Shah Suri Tomb Tourism Importance

The tomb is visited by people from far and near to explore and marvel at its architectural magnificence. There is an entrance fee to visit the tomb and it is Rs. 5 for the Indian nationals and those of SAARC countries but for other foreign nationals it Rs. 100.