The city of Agra in Uttar Pradesh is historic in true sense. It has many monuments and landmarks that give a peek into the pomp and glory of the Mughal Dynasty. Chini Ka Rauza is one of those icons here - a funerary monument which contains the tomb of Allama Afzal Khan Mullah, a poet, scholar and Prime Minister of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan.
It was built in 1635 and is 1 km away from Itmad-Ud-Daulah tomb. Afzal Khan died in 1639 in Lahore but was buried here. The name, Chini Ka Rauza, is derived from two different Persian words – Chini Mitti and rauza, which means glazed tiles and tomb. It is brown and rectangular mausoleum built facing towards Mecca. The monument is landmark of glazed tile work known as chini or kasha in Mughal era.
It is one of the finest examples of Indo-Persian architecture and first monument in India to be embellished with tile work. Afzal Khan himself constructed Chini-Ka-Rauza with elaborate ornamentation, by choosing glazed tiles for this tomb. The inner side of tomb is decorated with inscriptions from the Quran and paintwork. The main attraction is embroidery work on facets and prominent decoration on exteriors and facade.