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Photo: Nandanupadhyay, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The Tomb of Sher Shah Suri follows the Indo - Islamic form of architecture. It was constructed by Mir Muhammad Alawal Khan and was constructed between 1540 - 45. The octagonal tomb stands on an artificial island located at the center of a square man made lake, hence the name Pani Roza. Each side of the square lake measuring 427 meters. The entire complex is fenced and the entry is through a dome pavilion styled gateway on the north side. The Tomb is a protected monument under Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The island, housing the tomb, is connected to the main land by a causeway from the north side. The causeway was broken and was reconstructed by ASI in 1914 - 15. The causeway has two arched openings connecting the both sides of the lake. The island is surrounded by battlement with four octagonal chatris at the four corners. Each of the three sides (excepting the one on the west) have two projected square chhatris. The main tomb is octagonal and has two levels. There are chatris at the corner of each level. The upper level is crowned with a huge dome measuring 20 meters in diameter. The lower level have triple arched entrances on each side, Seven of the eight inner walls of the lower stage have arched gateways in the centre and is flanked with recessed arches on both sides. The eight or the western side have no entrance. There are several graves inside but the one of Sher Shah is covered with decorative cloth. The western wall has the kibla and the tomb doubles up as a mosque. Apart from Sher Shah's grave there are several graves inside. The interiors are accessible and one has to remove his/her shoes to access the interiors. The eastern side of the pond houses a few chatris and a structures with steps leading down to the water.
The Tomb of Sher Shah Suri is a mausoleum located in Sasaram, in the Indian state of Bihar. Sher Shah Suri, who was the founder of the Sur Empire, commissioned the tomb for himself. It was completed on 16 August 1545, about three months after his death.
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Sukha Roza
Hasan Shah Suri was Sher Shah's father and his tomb lies just east of his son's tomb. This also is designed by Mir Muhammad Alawal Khan and is a protected monument under Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The architecture pattern is same as Sher Shah's Tomb but it is smaller in size and is located on ground, hence the name Sukha Roza. Hasan Shah’s Tomb is surrounded by a high wall with gateways on three sides. The western wall houses a mosque and has no gate way. The boundary wall houses four chatris in the four corners. Unlike the Sher Shah's Tomb the lower level has no chatris at the corner, instead the space between the first and second level is filled up with 24 small domes, 3 each on the eight sides. the interior contains the grave of Hasan Shah along with several other graves, sadly the interior is kept under lock and key and access is denied. Sadly the Tomb of Hasan Shah is not well maintained and local boys play cricket in the tomb complex.
This small fort like structure is located in the vegetable market area of Sasaram. Locals refer to it as the Kandahar Quila and nothing much is known about the history of the structure but it is in a very sad condition. The area in front of the structure is used as a garbage dump and also doubles up as an open public urinal. The interiors of the structure are used by locals for playing card and drinking alcohol.
Tomb of Salim Shah
Islam Shah, also known as Salim Shah, is the son of Sher Shah. He is the second ruler of the Sur Dynasty, and ruled from 1545 - 54. The tomb follows the plan of Sher Shah's Tomb, but it was supposed to be bigger and the pond larger, Sadly it was never complete. Today the unprotected monument lies in utter neglect and a few pillars and arches are all that remains of the incomplete tomb. The pond also has lost its former glory and so have the causeway. Interior contains several graves, which are exposed to the open sky. Some of the graves are new and it seems the interior of the tomb still functions as an active graveyard.
Mir Muhammad Alawal Khan (Alawal Khan) was the architect of the tombs of both Hasan Shah and Sher Shah. Sher Shah commissioned a third tomb in Sasaram, which was meant for the architect himself. It was Sher Shah's unique way of paying tribute to his favourite architect, something unparalleled in the history of the world. Today the tomb lies in the southern end of Sasaram. Sadly it lies inside the compound of an active Muslim Graveyard and is not easily accessible. The tomb actually is a walled complex with an entry gate on the east, The gate was crowned with two chatris one of which have collapsed. The interior contains a mosque and the grave of the master architect.
Maa Tara Chandi Temple is one of the "52 Shakti Peetha". The right eye (Netra) is said to have fallen here. It is dedicated to Maa Durga or Maa Shakti.