Art is that powerful form of expression that knows no boundaries, no geographies and no limitations!!
The Art of ‘Marble Inlay’ originates from the Mughal Inlay Art and blossomed beautifully in the age of Mughal Empire. The Marble Inlay Art is indigenously identified as ‘Pachchikari’ or ‘Parchinkari’. It implies the delicate and exquisite process where marble is inlaid with designs in precious or semi-precious stonework. This form of Art is peculiar and one will find it only in Agra and parts of Rajasthan in India. The skilled workers (‘Karigars’) carve incredible designs with their hands and it takes months to complete a piece, and in the process the Karigars survive injuries to the fingers. There is huge demand for the end products in foreign markets and the range of the sale price depends from piece to piece.
The Origin
The Monuments of Agra showcase the different development stages of Mughal Inlay Art in a progressive sequence spanning from 16th to 17th century as practiced under Akbar (r. 1556-1605), Jahangir (r. 1605-1627), and Shah Jahan (r. 1628-1658). However the Marble Inlay Art evolved and progressed during the reign of Jahangir, the application of same can be seen in the monuments that were completed in the period of his reign.
The Inspiration
It is believed that the inspiration for this form of art was drawn from the distinctive monuments of Mandhavgarh in Madhya Pradesh. Mausoleum in the Ashrafi Mahal and the Tower of Victory in Mandu are the earliest examples of inlaying with rare stones in Mandu and their construction dates back to first half of the fifteenth century though the Asharfi Mahal is in total ruins today.
Jahangir had interests for fine arts and cultural activities. Jahangir encouraged and promoted ‘Marble Inlay’ art and its application can be seen in Jahangiri Mahal to Akbar’s Tomb and then in Tomb of Salim Chisti and Itmad-ud-Daulah’s tomb in Agra.
Today, Marble Inlay art is integral part of Agra’s heritage and its presence can be widely observed in the forms of Tabletops, Lamps, Miniature Elephants, and Miniature Taj Mahal and possibly everything that one can imagine.
So, next time you’re in Agra, do visit a workshop if possible, you’ll be amazed at the process and do pick a beautiful souvenir.
Reblogged this on O LADO ESCURO DA LUA.
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Thank you!!
Good day, Charu
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those designs are so beautiful…… I have seen Taj Mahal being sold at many places in agra……
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The miniature form of Taj is very popular among the tourists. It is the table tops and other designs that are more intricate and cost more too. I had a privilege to visit the workshop and observe the process of how it’s done, it’s just remarkable.
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i will try to visit the same in my next visit……. seeing them making must be wonderful……
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Yes, Sudhir. And if you need any help let me know, Agra is Ashish’s hometown 🙂
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oh great….. I have passed from the city many times as I frequently travel from Delhi to my in-laws place in Gwalior….. but never took much interest in Agra…. though my wife always insisted that we should spend some time here…. will let you know for sure…..
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Oh! You stay in Delhi? We’re in Delhi too. Oh, you must visit Agra, you’ll be happily surprised 🙂 I have relatives in Gwalior too. And I hail from Indore. A small world 🙂
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World is very small….. I have worked in Indore…. and it was that time that I got married….. We have spent few happy months in Indore only……
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Beautiful
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Thank you !!
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Whoaa! So beautiful
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Gorgeous. What would be the approximate cost for one of the plates? I have a sister-in-law who really loves unusual plates. –Curt
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Hi Curt,
Apologies for the delayed response. The comment went to Spam folder, I moved it here while browsing.
Regarding the cost, depends on how intricate the work is and the size, so the items range between INR 10,000 – INR 2,00,000. The average falls somewhere around INR 30,000 – 50,000.
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Thanks. Appreciated. –Curt
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Indeed beautiful!! Reminded me of my agra trip!! I had bought a beautiful marble box with this amazing inlay….
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Thank you! I’m glad to know you had a beautiful experience. The Taj Mahal is so favorite 🙂 even in miniature forms.
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Yes it was a wonderful experience…i didnt want to come back i remember!!!! Wished to stay and watch in full moon light!! So serene and captivating!! And soothing to the senses…have you seen it in full moon light? After that i we drove to fatehpur sikri and it was beautiful!! Will go again someday!
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But u thought they don’t allow people to stay beyond 7.30ish or 8 max… I have witnessed Taj Mahal in Sunset but not so lucky as far as other monuments are concerned.
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Sorry typo. .. Was writing ‘I thought’
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I think on full moon nights they do allow some batches in….you have witnessed it at sunset!!! Wow…im already trying to imagine how you must have felt!!
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Wonderfully informative post. We learned so much. What a talent to be able to do something like this. I know how difficult it is to do when doing woodwork but working with stone is another level of gifts. Thank you.
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Thank you friend 🙂 Indeed this great form of Art is difficult to execute and is restricted to Agra. Some of the piece are sold for lakhs.
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Interesting. That would mean a lot of money correct (lakhs to dollars)?
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I am thrilled just by reading this post. There is so much creativity that goes into making a great piece!
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Thank you Alok ☺️ A single piece take months to finish… The huge table tops as i have shared in my post took five to six months to complete depending on the intricacy. I had an opportunity to meet the artisans they actually showed me the process, hats off to them for keeping this art alive…
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Yes, truly!
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Such amazingly precious art work.
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Absolutely beautiful, my friend! I love your photos of these masterpieces of inlaid marble. I bet one might find a bargain in one the shops in Agra.
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Thank you Peter! It’s just amazing, one can find the genuine stuff in workshops. If you ever plan to visit Agra, do let me know 🙂
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Dear Charu, I am a virtual traveler on the Internet, Netflix and YouTube. This is the reason I follow your outstanding travel blog. But thank for the invitation! That was very kind of you.
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Quite an informative post accompanied with beautiful pics!
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Thank you my friend, yes I did try to bring out the history in an interesting manner.
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Interesting!
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Thank you !!
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🙂
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Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. WOW! Such beautiful artistry. Thank You for sharing! 🙂
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Thank you ! Thank you ! Indeed it’s incredibly beautiful
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Great information. I’ve seen this artwork displayed in shops at Agra, but had no idea about the process or history.
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Thank you Kiran. I’m glad that liked the write-up 🙂
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Just. So. Beautiful 🙂
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Thank you Fiona!! How have u been? Seems like Life keeping you busy 🙂
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Yes, very busy but actually looking at a calmer few weeks. I am studying which takes up much of my time but I intend to post a couple of articles this week since I am mindful that my poor blog has been sorely neglected recently!
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Oh! What are you studying my friend?
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I am training to teach English as a foreign language. I needed something to get me out of the house since I am here on my own much of the time (my husband is globetrotting and based in the US …. there is a story but I haven’t shared it yet because I think immigration is a touchy subject. I will though when I feel confident 🙂 )
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Wow! I’m glad you have taken up a new project ☺️ I can understand how tough it can get to do justice to everything!
Love, Charu
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Charu, that is a lovely message that I take to heart … thank you 😊
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It was really an amazing read, when you know the history behind a certain thing it becomes more interesting.
Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you so much! Indeed, once you know history the perspective changes 🙂
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Oh this is so cool! I’ve never seen anything like this before, but it looks incredible and I would love to see some of these works of art in person one day! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
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Charu, years ago when we lived in London, we visited India and Agra was one of the highlights. We fell in love with the inlaid marble and we bought a small, hexagonal tabletop much like the ones you show in this post. Through many years of simplifying and downsizing, we still have that lovely piece. Thanks for this post that tells some of the history. ~James
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Beautiful work, thanks for sharing
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I really like art, I post about it a few times a month. Thank you for this treasure chest of delights.
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I’m so happy to know that you liked it so much….If I ever get an opportunity to meet you I shall get inlay art gift for you 💛💛
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Whenever I remember about marbles Taj comes to my mind and whenever Taj does I remember the view of Taj from Agra fort . That was one the most beautiful things I ever saw. It’s imprinted forever in my mind.
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