Name of Monument: Maqbara Sheikh Ali Beg
Location: Helan, Tehsil Phalia
Date of construction: 999 AH/1590-91
Materials of construction and finishes: Brickwork, lime plaster, uker kari, calligraphy
The tomb of Sheikh Ali Beg, son of Hasan Ali Khan Arab, an important commander of Akbar’s reign, at Helan is another important tomb of Akbar period built in 999 AH. The tomb is octagonal in plan with deep pishtaqs on four sides while the rest of the four sides have deep half octagonal blind niches. On top of small openings leading to the tomb are small openings for light and ventilation. Internally the tomb is square in plan with squinch arches that transform it into the octagon. The drum is circular carrying a low dome. The exterior is simple but its surfaces were treated with fine detailing in plaster. The corners of the external wall are treated with blind arches carved from plaster. From the rectangular pishtaqs one can enter into to the tomb chamber through an internal arch. The spandrel of arches incorporates medallions with kalmia tayyaba inscribed in uker kari over a red ochre base. The panel of the northwestern corner of the northern wall has the ‘Surah Fataha’ is the essence of the Quran which declares the glory of Allah and teaches the right way to man, and both these themes find full expression in the Fataha. The important feature of the tomb is Persian poetry in the memory and separation of the Ali Beg from this world inscribed on the walls. The Persian couplet indicates that Sheikh Ali Beg was martyred in a battle and did not die a natural death. The sarcophagus made in yellow stone profusely decorated from the verses of Holy Quran and hadith is one of the best specimens of calligraphy. The vertical surfaces are decorated with Ayat ul Kursi. The slab on top of the cenotaph gives us a lot of information about the person lying at rest. It contains verses from surah saff, “The Battle Array” which tells us, “ And another (favor Will He bestow), Which ye do love, help from Allah. And a speedy victory so gives the Glad tiding to the believers.” The interior is profusely decorated with uker kari paintings which are still discernible at certain places
Naqoosh-e-Javidan 