Maqbara Malik Amber - Aurangabad

There is a Interesting info about malik amber tomb. It is malik amber tomb that was built under the guidence of malik amber but he was not burried there becoz Mughal soldiers have arrived the city........

Are you in Aurangabad and scheduling the trip to visit historical beauties? Do not forget this architectural beauty. Malik Ambar Tomb near Ellora caves is worth having a tour. Brought from Africa to India as a slave, Ambar become the Malik of Ahmednagar and Aurangabad region. He was brave and studious. Aurangabad has kept some places to these historic figures, and our duty is to help sustaining these places. It is not only for the bravery of kingly personalities, but for those who worked hard to built such huge architecture. We have to recall the life in the chapters of history.

This is the last place where you will encounter any tourist in the otherwise popular tourist destination of Aurangabad. It attracts only few locals and people like me who is interested to know and see places that somehow influenced the course of our country. Malik Ambar was one such person who lies buried here but has changed and contributed much of what is today's Aurangabad or then Khirki. People can Google about him (a dedicated Wikipedia page exist). For those interested It is marked correctly in Google Maps While following Google Maps, a small stretch, looks like you are heading nowhere but trust the maps It is in Khuldabad and can be visited while travelling to or from Ellora. The Tomb is fairly maintained but needs repairs (not sure whether it is under ASI or locals managed it). One can see Persian influence in the intricate jaali works (badly damaged though) When we visited, the lone guard was quite surprised to see us and said no one visits this tomb. I felt it is as if Malik Ambar is saying no one remembers me.

Malik Ambar (1548 – 13 May 1626) was a Siddi military leader, who served as the (Prime Minister) of the Ahmadnagar Sultanate in the Deccan region of India. Portrait of Malik Ambar by Mughal court artist in 1620 Birth name Wako Chapu Born1548 HararDied11 May 1626 (aged 77–78) Khuldabad, Ahmadnagar Sultanate (Modern day Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India)Buried Khuldabad, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India AllegianceNizam Shah of AhmednagarSpouse(s)Bibi KarimaChildrenFateh Khan Changiz Khan Born in the Adal Sultunate, in present-day Ethiopia, Malik was sold by a slave merchant and brought to India as a slave. While in India he created a mercenary force numbering greater than 50,000 men. It was based in the Deccan region and was hired by local kings. Malik became a popular Prime Minister of the Ahmadnagar Sultanate, showing administrative acumen. He is also regarded as a pioneer in guerrilla warfare in the region. He is credited with carrying out a revenue settlement of much of the Deccan, which formed the basis for subsequent settlements. He is a figure of veneration to the Siddis of Gujarat. He humbled the might of the Mughals and Adil Shahs of Bijapur and raised the low status of the Nizam Shah.

There needs to be greater awareness of our rich cultural heritage. And this monument needs to be protected more than ever before.