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Photo: Department of Archaeology & Museums, Government of PakistanField guides / Punjab / Tomb of Nuria
Field guide · Heritage
The third tomb in the series built on the south-east of the tomb of Bala al-Halim, is that of the architect who built the foregoing two mausoleums, square in plan, it has also only half a portion intact.
Each corner of the square has a battered turret with a cupola. It has probably two entrances, one on the south and the other on north. The other two closed sides have glazed tiles paneling decorated from within and without. The zone of transition has been created with corner squelches on which is placed the base of the dome. The base of the dome has arched opening at cardinal points. The interior of the square is faced with bands of glazed tiles created with tiles mosaics.
Why go
The Uch tombs were built through the fifteenth century for the family and followers of the Bukhari saints, in a style of glazed tile and cut brick that has no close parallel elsewhere in Pakistan. That the architect was buried among his patrons, and that his tomb was recorded and protected alongside theirs, is unusual anywhere in South Asian architecture.
Named in the January 2004 UNESCO tentative-list submission as the Tomb of Ustad — the only one of the five identified by profession rather than by name.
The third tomb in the Uch Sharif series, standing south-east of Bhawal Haleem's, and said to hold the architect who raised the other two mausoleums. It is square in plan with a battered turret and cupola at each corner, entered probably from both south and north, the two closed sides panelled in glazed tile within and without. Corner squinches carry the base of the dome, which is opened by arches at the cardinal points, and the interior is faced in bands of glazed tile worked as mosaic.
Very few buildings anywhere in South Asia mark the grave of the person who built them. This one does.
Planning tip
Best Time to Visit, November to February. Summer on the Cholistan margin is extreme.
Getting there, Uch Sharif lies about 70 km south-west of Bahawalpur. The tomb group stands together on its mound and is seen as one visit.
Allow, Two to three hours for the Uch Sharif group; a full day from Bahawalpur with travel.
Straight-line distance from Tomb of Nuria, within 30 km.
