Lahore – Khan-e-Jahan Bahadur Zafar Jang Kokaltash was a high ranking officer during the reign of Emperor Aurangzeb Alamigir. Khan Jahan Bahadur Zafar Jang Kokaltash, original name Mir Malik Husain, was Aurungzeb’s foster brother and a nobleman in the imperial court. In 1673, he was sent to the Deccan as governor.
He rebuilt the fortress of Surat to fight against Shivaji. He was also sent against Abul Hasan, the last king of Golconda. In 1674, Aurungzeb raised him from the rank of 700 horses to 7000 horses and conferred upon him the title of Khan Jahan Bahadur Zafar Jang. In 1691, Khan-e-Jahan was appointed governor of Allahabad. In the same year he served as subhadar (governor) of the Punjab from April 11th, 1691, but was dismissed from office in 1693. He is also said to be the author of a book titled “Tarikh-i-Assam” (History of Assam). He died four years later on November 23, 1697 and was buried in east of Lahore.
The tomb is located besides the Canal Road near railway crossing, a few yards next to Dharmpura underpass. Standing on octagonal platform with high arches on each side the tomb is composed primarily of cut brick work, without any use of red sandstone. Although bereft of its front, its beautiful and detailed brick masonry lends it a character entirely its own. The division of wall surface in a pattern of sunken panels would have lent itself admirably to treatment with fresco painting and possibly even tile mosaic. However, the current appearance of the tomb is much denuded. Numerous holes in the fa
matters of heritage – THE DEBACLED TOMB OF KOKALTASH
