Name of Monuments: Unknown tombs of Lala Mara Sharif
Location. Lal Mara Sharif near Dera Ismail Khan
Date of Construction: c13- early 14th Century
Material of Construction and finishes: bricks, glazed tiles
Brief Description
A group of four tombs in Lal Mahra Tomb Complex is located 24 miles from the villages of Puroa and Muhra near Dera Ismail Khan. The tombs were built around 14th century. The local site known, as Andira is a vast graveyard filled with both historic and contemporary tombs. The tombs are unique in their design and execution. These tombs A, B, C and D are of great historic and architectural value. These tombs are most significant and present a special but distinctive construction technique. Square in plan these tombs were constructed sometimes around early half of the fourteenth century. Tomb No 1and 2 has inward sloping circular towers at each corner which increase stability and grandeur to the building. Each tomb has arch entrances on three sides while the west side has mihrab set within the thickness of the wall. In case of tomb 1 and 2 these mihrabs project out from the western wall. The arched entrances are set within rectangular frames. The eastern entrance in each case, is regarded as main entrance, are more ornate than the other sides. The construction of walls was carried out in brick masonry. However, plain X shaped and glazed square terracotta plugs has also been used. In case of tomb-1 wooden wall plates have been used except the qibla side to avoid settlement of structure. In addition, four beams one at each corner above the squinch arches further strengthen the corner. The squinch arches as a zone of transition also have tetrahedron form of brick arrangement formed by overlapping of brick courses. In the tombs a wide variety of decorative designs have been used in the friezes and horizontal bands.
Naqoosh-e-Javidan 