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All India Agra John Hessing's Tomb
AO Edited

John Hessing's Tomb

Also known as the "Red Taj Mahal."

Agra, India

Added By
Anirudha Vaddadi
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John Hessing’s Tomb   DeepanjanGhosh
John Hessing’s Tomb   DeepanjanGhosh
  MissBez / Atlas Obscura User
  MissBez / Atlas Obscura User
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About

John Hessing was a Dutch traveler turned army officer who served the Scindia Marathas in Agra at the turn of the 19th-century. He was eventually in charge of defending Agra Fort and during a battle with the British in 1803, he was killed. Just as the original Taj Mahal was built as a symbol of love by emperor Shah Jahan for his wife, this monument was commissioned by Hessing's widow, Ann, in his memory.

This smaller version of the Taj Mahal mirrors much of the same design as its predecessor. Visitors can see typical Mughal-style engravings, arches, domes, and symmetrical designs. Unlike the original, however, the structure is much tighter with a simple square layout. Hessing's tomb was designed using red sandstone rather than white marble. At the entrance to the tomb are two inscriptions in Persian: one expressing his wife's grief and the other marking the year of his death.

Hessing's tomb reflects the interactions of different cultures that occurred prior to British imperial rule. Hessing was incorporated into the local Hindu kingdom and given a high position of authority to defend the kingdom against European powers.

The monument, housed in a Catholic cemetery, incorporates common elements of Islamic tomb architecture. 

Related Tags

Tombs History & Culture Architecture Burial Places

Know Before You Go

The tomb is in a cemetery off one of Agra's main roads and can be accessed by its Google Maps location. Note that the cemetery is often closed and that there are no official timings listed. Since the cemetery is within the main town of Agra, it's not much of a detour to stop by and see if it's open.

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Community Contributors

Added By

anirudhavaddadi

Edited By

dondoughty, jonathancarey, MissBez

  • dondoughty
  • jonathancarey
  • MissBez

Published

January 25, 2021

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Sources
  • https://www.travelscopeindia.com/activity/red-taj-john-hessings-tomb/
  • https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/destinations/a-red-taj-in-memory-of-a-beloved-husband/as65951165.cms
  • https://goo.gl/maps/jj8bsBMyQM9TLY7w9
John Hessing's Tomb
125 Mahatma Gandhi Rd
Agra, 282002
India
27.209608, 78.00514
Get Directions

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