Sasaram
Sasaram, a dreary and dusty little town is located on the Grand Trunk
Road, the famous Indian Highway built by the master architect, Aliwal
Khan, in the reign of Sher Shah in the mid -16th century. Sasaram
lies half way between Varanasi and Gaya. 17km west of the main railway
junction of Dehri-on-Sone and the three-kilometre-long Sone River
Bridge is noteworthy as the site of the impressive mausoleum of Sher
Shah Suri.
It is one of two majestic Muslim monuments, which bear the distinctive
heavy lines of the early Lodhi monuments of Delhi.
The well-maintained five-storeyed, red sandstone mausoleum capped
by a massive dome, stands in the middle of a 430-square-metre artificial
lake. The 46m high dome has 22metre span, which is 4metres wider
than the dome of the Taj Mahal.
The tomb was once adorned by red, white, blue and yellow geometrical
designs, and the dome, once white, topped with a golden lotus. At
its centre, a large octagonal chamber contains the tomb itself,
while pavilions mark each corner of the building and steps lead
down to the water.
Around 500m east, visible from the upper storeys of Sher Shah's
mausoleum, is the tomb of his father, Hasan Sur Khan. Built in 1535,
within a walled enclosure, it has been engulfed by the rustic town
of Sasaram and is in a somewhat dilapidated condition. Despite its
status as a protected monument, some of the flagstones are being
removed.
Excursion
There are quite a few Muslim tombs at Maner at Dehri, 17 kms from
Sasaram.
Getting There
By Air
There is no direct air connection.
By Rail
There are only two direct trains from Varanasi, but from Mugal Sarai
station, there are frequent trains to Sasaram.
By Road
There are frequent buses for Sasaram, from Patna, Varanasi and Gaya.
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General Information & Accomdation info on Sasaram city of Bihar
- India
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