Attractions Of Kurukshetra: Sheik Chehli's Tomb

Sheik Chehli ka Maqbara OR Sheik Chehli's Tomb

flickr: Sheik Chehli's Tomb

Short Overview:

Sheikh Chehli Mausoleum is the marble tomb that was constructed by the ruler Sher Shah Suri. Located in the north direction of Thanesar, this tomb is known for its architectural splendor and remarkable beauty. The place is visited by several tourists every year. Sheikh Chehli or Abdul Rahim, as he was popularly called, was a Sufi saint who taught sacred teachings to Dara Shikoh, one of the sons of Shah Jehan. A madrasa is also present inside the mausoleum which carries a stone tank.This protected monument resembles to Taj Mahal in its architecture. Built in the shape of an octagonal, Sheikh Chehli Tomb carries several marble arches.

Long Overview:

This beautiful tomb and the madarasa (school) are associated with the Sufi saint Abdu'r-Rahim alias Aabd-ul-Razak, popularly known as Shaikh Chehli (also pronounced Chilli) believed to be the spiritual teacher of the Mughal Prince Dara Shikoh, the eldest son of Emperor Shahjahan. The tomb, overlooking the madarasa and standing on an artificial terrace, is octagonal in shape with the entrance in the south. It is built of buff sandstone and is crowned with a pear-shaped dome of white marble standing on a high circular drum. 


The cenotaph of saint occupies the centre of the chamber, while his grave is located in the lower chamber, which conjoins the madarasa through a narrow gallery. The madrassa has nine-arched openings on each side of a central courtyard that has in the centre a stone masonty tank. John Dawkins, the then collector of Thaneshar, was instrumental in getting the tomb repaired in 1854 AD. The antiquities recovered from the excavations at Harsh ka Tilla and Bhagwanpura (both failing in the district of Kurukshetra) are displayed in two small museums of the madarasa building.