The Nakodar Tombs are a pair of early-17th-century Mughal-era tombs on the edge of Nakodar town, in Jalandhar district, Punjab. Locally they are called the Ustad-Shagird (teacher-pupil) tombs, and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) looks after them as a Monument of National Importance. They repay a visit for one reason above all: the coloured glazed-tile (kashi) work that still clings to their walls, towers and domes.
The Nakodar Tombs are two early-17th-century Mughal-era tombs in Nakodar town, Jalandhar district, Punjab, built for the court musician Ustad Mohammad Momin and his pupil Haji Jamal. The ASI protects them, chiefly for their coloured glazed-tile work. Entry is free and the site is quiet.
Key takeaways
- The Nakodar Tombs stand outside Nakodar town in Jalandhar district, Punjab, and are an ASI Monument of National Importance (listed N-PB-16).
- They are the tombs of Ustad Mohammad Momin, a tambura player at the Mughal court, and his pupil Haji Jamal; an inscription dates Momin’s tomb to AD 1612 and Haji Jamal’s to AH 1067 (AD 1657).
- The standout feature is the glazed-tile (kashi) decoration on the panels, arch spandrels, turrets and dome pinnacles, according to the ASI and the Jalandhar district administration.
- Entry is free and no ticket counter is reported; the site is usually open in daylight hours (reconfirm locally).
- Nakodar is about 24–32 km from Jalandhar City by road and rail, so the tombs work best as a half-day detour, not a standalone trip.
- Do not confuse these with the separate Tombs of Ustad-Shagird near Sirhind, in Fatehgarh Sahib district.
About the Nakodar Tombs and quick facts
The Nakodar Tombs are two free-standing Mughal-era mausolea on the outskirts of Nakodar, a tehsil town in Jalandhar district, Punjab. According to the Jalandhar district administration, they are maintained as protected monuments by the ASI, and the Wikipedia list of Monuments of National Importance records them as N-PB-16, “Tombs of Mohd. Momin and Hazi Jamal”.
They once stood inside a walled Mughal garden called the Hadironwala Bagh (“garden of the tombs”), which has largely disappeared. First-time visitors should not confuse them with the similarly named Tombs of Ustad-Shagird at Sirhind, in Fatehgarh Sahib district, which are a separate, earlier pair attributed to a master mason and his apprentice.
| What it is | Two early-17th-century Mughal-era tombs (Ustad-Shagird tombs) |
|---|---|
| Where | Nakodar town, Jalandhar district, Punjab |
| Protected by | Archaeological Survey of India, Chandigarh Circle (Monument of National Importance N-PB-16) |
| Built for | Ustad Mohammad Momin (musician) and his pupil Haji Jamal |
| Dates (inscriptions) | Momin’s tomb AD 1612; Haji Jamal’s tomb AH 1067 (AD 1657) |
| Standout feature | Coloured glazed-tile (kashi) decoration |
| Entry | Free; no ticket counter reported (reconfirm locally) |
| Time needed | 45–60 minutes |
Who were Mohammad Momin and Haji Jamal
The tombs belong to a teacher and his pupil, which is why they are known as the Ustad-Shagird (teacher-pupil) tombs. According to the Jalandhar district administration, the larger tomb was raised over the remains of Ustad Muhammad Momin, also called Muhammad Husseini alias Hafizak, a tambura (a long-necked drone lute) player in the service of the Khan-i-Khanan.
The Khan-i-Khanan was Abdul Rahim, one of the nobles associated with Emperor Akbar’s court. The district record dates Momin’s death to AH 1021 (AD 1612), at the start of Jahangir’s reign. The second tomb, close by, was raised for Haji Jamal, described as Momin’s pupil, towards the close of Shah Jahan’s reign.
According to the account on the tombs, the inscriptions on both monuments quote the same chapters and verses of the Quran in the same hand, which suggests a single calligrapher worked on both. A Tribune report from March 2025 notes that some historians give Momin’s tomb as 1623, but the inscription-based date of AD 1612 is the one the official record uses; where you see 1623, treat it as a secondary reading.
Architecture and the glazed-tile work
The architectural draw of the Nakodar Tombs is their coloured glazed-tile (kashi) decoration, set against brick and plaster. The two tombs are built on the Mughal octagonal plan but differ in detail, and seeing them side by side is the point of the visit.
According to the district administration, Momin’s tomb stands on an octagonal platform reached by steps on two sides. It is square inside and octagonal outside, carrying a hemispherical dome on a low cylindrical drum, a pinnacle and four corner cupolas. Entrances open on the north and south; the other recesses are closed with pierced tracery (jali) screens. Geometric glazed-tile panels and tilework in the arch spandrels decorate the façade, and the framed plaster panels once carried painted guldastas (stylised flower-vase motifs).
Haji Jamal’s tomb sits on a square platform with flights of steps on each side. It reverses the earlier plan — square outside, octagonal inside — with octagonal corner turrets topped by domed cupolas and a bulbous dome on a high drum. The district record notes red stucco brick panels painted with white lines, flower-pot motifs on the larger panels, and glazed tiles on the octagonal towers, the battlements and the dome pinnacles.
Heritage documentation of the site describes the tombs as following the Mughal “Baghdadi octagon” ground plan, an eight-sided form with four larger and four smaller sides, with lattice screens at the side gateways and a crypt holding the sarcophagi. Momin’s two sarcophagi, once of sienna-coloured marble inlaid with white marble inscription, are recorded by the district administration as now lost.
Best time to visit the Nakodar Tombs
The best time to visit is October to March, when the Punjab plains around Jalandhar are at their most comfortable for walking around an open-air site. Summers from April to June are hot and glaring, and the monsoon from July to September brings humidity and spells of rain. The table below is a planning guide; check a current forecast before you set out.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | Nov–Feb | Cool, often foggy mornings; the easiest time to walk the site. Carry a layer. |
| Spring/autumn | Oct, Mar | Mild and clear; good light for photographing the tilework. |
| Summer | Apr–Jun | Hot and bright; visit early morning and carry water and sun cover. |
| Monsoon | Jul–Sep | Humid with rain spells; the open courtyard can be muddy. |
How to reach Nakodar
Nakodar lies roughly 24–32 km south-west of Jalandhar, so most visitors come on a day trip by road or rail. According to the district administration, Nakodar is a station on the Jalandhar City–Nakodar railway line and the Lohian Khas–Nakodar–Ludhiana line of Northern Railway, and it is well linked by road to Jalandhar, Phillaur and Kapurthala.
By air, the nearest full-service international gateway is Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport at Amritsar, roughly 90–110 km away (reconfirm the exact distance and current flights). A smaller domestic airport operates at Adampur near Jalandhar; schedules there are limited, so check before you rely on it. From any of these, finish the journey by road.
| From | Distance | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Jalandhar | 24 km (road); 32 km (rail) | Taxi, bus or train |
| Phillaur | 34 km | Road |
| Kapurthala | 35 km | Road |
| Sultanpur Lodhi | 40 km | Road |
| Ludhiana | 47 km | Road or rail |
| Amritsar airport | ~90–110 km (indicative) | Road after flight |
What to see at the site
The two tombs are the centrepiece, but the old garden complex holds a few more fragments worth a slow look. The two mausolea stand close together; walk around each to compare the tilework and the contrasting plans before stepping back for the full view.
According to the district administration, the complex also preserves a west gateway said to have been built in AD 1667, a smaller east gateway now in ruins, a tank to the north, and a summer house beside it that was later used as a court. Beyond the tank is a baradari (a twelve-doored pavilion) containing the shrine of Bahadur Khan, who died in Jahangir’s reign, along with an old, dilapidated mosque. The Dakhni Gate, once an entrance to the Mughal garden, is reported to be in poor condition.
| Spot | What it is | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Momin’s tomb (Ustad) | Octagonal-plan tomb, AD 1612, with glazed-tile panels and dome cupolas | 20 min |
| Haji Jamal’s tomb (Shagird) | Tomb of AH 1067/AD 1657, tiled turrets and painted panels | 20 min |
| West gateway | Garden gateway said to date from AD 1667 | 10 min |
| Tank, baradari and old mosque | Surviving water tank, pavilion with Bahadur Khan’s shrine, ruined mosque | 15 min |
A suggested half-day plan
The tombs suit a half-day detour from Jalandhar rather than a trip in their own right. A simple plan:
- Leave Jalandhar after breakfast; drive about 45 minutes to Nakodar.
- Spend 45–60 minutes at the tombs: Momin’s first, then Haji Jamal’s, then the gateway, tank and baradari.
- Stop in Nakodar town for a quick dhaba (roadside eatery) lunch.
- Return to Jalandhar by mid-afternoon, or carry on towards Kapurthala or Sultanpur Lodhi if you want to add another stop.
If you are building a wider Punjab route, the tombs pair naturally with the heritage and gurdwara circuit covered in our Punjab travel guide.
Where to stay
There is no notable accommodation at the tombs themselves, so base yourself in Jalandhar, which has the widest choice within an easy drive. The bands below are indicative planning estimates for a double room per night as of October 2026 and move with season and demand — reconfirm live rates and book ahead on weekends and festival dates.
| Type | Indicative band | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | ₹1,200–₹2,500 | Simple hotels and guesthouses in Jalandhar city and near Nakodar |
| Mid-range | ₹2,500–₹5,000 | Business hotels in Jalandhar with parking and restaurants |
| Upper/luxury | ₹5,000–₹9,000+ | Larger branded hotels in Jalandhar |
Treat all of these as planning estimates to reconfirm at the time of booking.
Food to try
Nakodar and Jalandhar sit in the heart of Punjabi food country, so eat where the locals do — the dhabas along the main roads. Dishes worth seeking out include:
- Sarson da saag te makki di roti (mustard-greens curry with cornmeal flatbread), a winter staple, usually with a dab of white butter.
- Dal makhani (slow-cooked black lentils with butter and cream) and chhole (spiced chickpeas) with rice or bhature (puffed fried bread).
- Tandoori breads and kebabs cooked in a clay oven, and a glass of lassi (sweet or salted churned yoghurt).
- Pinni (a dense sweet of wheat flour, ghee and jaggery), good to carry back as a gift.
Budget breakdown
A visit to the Nakodar Tombs is cheap because entry is free and the stop is short; your spend is mostly transport and a meal. The table gives a per-person planning estimate for a day trip from Jalandhar as of October 2026, assuming local transport shared or by taxi, and does not include your stay in Jalandhar.
| Item | Indicative cost | Assumption |
|---|---|---|
| Entry to the tombs | ₹0 | No ticket reported |
| Return transport | ₹400–₹1,500 | Shared cab/bus to private taxi for the Jalandhar–Nakodar round trip |
| Lunch and chai | ₹150–₹400 | Dhaba meal in Nakodar or Jalandhar |
| Water, snacks, tips | ₹100–₹200 | Sundries |
| Total | ₹650–₹2,100 | Half-day detour, excluding your hotel |
Permits, rules and photography
No permits are needed to visit the Nakodar Tombs — this is an open ASI monument in Punjab, not a restricted or border-area site, so Indian and foreign travellers alike can visit freely. As of October 2026 no entry ticket or camera fee has been reported for these tombs; carry a little cash in case a local arrangement applies and reconfirm on arrival.
Treat the monuments gently: this is a protected site, so do not scratch, touch or lean on the fragile glazed tiles and painted plaster, and do not climb the structures. Still photography for personal use is normally fine at open ASI sites; for drones or any commercial or pre-wedding shoot, seek written permission from the ASI in advance, as drone flying in India is separately regulated.
Practical tips
A few things make the short visit smoother:
- Timing: go in the morning for softer light on the tiles and to beat the afternoon heat; aim to finish before dusk, as the site is unlit.
- Connectivity and cash: mobile networks work in and around Nakodar town, and UPI is widely accepted at shops and dhabas, but keep some cash for a shared cab or auto.
- Facilities: there is little by way of cafés or toilets at the site itself, so use facilities in Nakodar town or Jalandhar.
- Health: the nearest well-equipped hospitals are in Jalandhar; carry any personal medication, water and basic sun protection.
- Solo and women travellers: the area is a quiet residential edge of town; visit in daylight, tell someone your plan, and keep your return transport arranged, as cabs are not always waiting at the gate.
- Dress: modest, comfortable clothing and closed shoes suit an uneven, open-air heritage site.
Nearby places
Nakodar fits well into a wider Punjab itinerary. From here you can turn north to Jalandhar and Amritsar, or build east towards the Shivalik foothills and the state capital region.
| Place | Distance (approx) | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Jalandhar | ~24–32 km | Nearest city for hotels, transport and food; base for the trip |
| Kapurthala | ~35 km | Palaces and the Moorish Mosque in the former princely town |
| Sultanpur Lodhi | ~40 km | Historic town linked to Guru Nanak Dev Ji |
| Anandpur Sahib | Day trip via Rupnagar | Takht and the Virasat-e-Khalsa; a major Sikh heritage town |
| Chandigarh | Onward by road/rail | Planned city, gardens and museums; a comfortable regional base |
Frequently asked questions
Where are the Nakodar Tombs and who are they for?
The Nakodar Tombs stand on the edge of Nakodar town in Jalandhar district, Punjab. They are two early-17th-century Mughal-era tombs built for Ustad Mohammad Momin, a court musician, and his pupil Haji Jamal, which is why they are known as the Ustad-Shagird (teacher-pupil) tombs. The ASI protects them.
Who were Ustad Mohammad Momin and Haji Jamal?
Mohammad Momin, also called Muhammad Husseini alias Hafizak, was a tambura (drone lute) player in the service of the Khan-i-Khanan, according to the Jalandhar district administration. Haji Jamal was his pupil. The district record dates Momin’s death to AH 1021 (AD 1612); Haji Jamal’s tomb carries a gateway inscription dated AH 1067 (AD 1657).
Is there an entry fee for the Nakodar Tombs?
No entry fee or camera charge has been reported for the Nakodar Tombs as of October 2026, and there is no ticket counter on record; it is an open ASI monument. Carry a little cash in case a local arrangement applies, and reconfirm on arrival. The site is usually accessible in daylight hours and is unlit after dark.
What is the best time to visit the Nakodar Tombs?
October to March is the best time to visit, when the Jalandhar plains are cool and clear and the light is kind to the glazed tilework. April to June is hot and glaring, and the July–September monsoon brings humidity and rain. Visit in the morning for the best light and the coolest conditions.
How do I reach Nakodar from Jalandhar or Amritsar?
From Jalandhar, Nakodar is about 24 km by road and around 32 km by rail, reached by taxi, bus or train in under an hour, according to the district administration. From Amritsar, drive roughly 90–110 km (reconfirm) via Jalandhar. Nakodar has its own railway station on Northern Railway lines; finish any flight by road.
What makes the Nakodar Tombs architecturally important?
Their coloured glazed-tile (kashi) work is the headline feature, surviving on the panels, arch spandrels, octagonal turrets and dome pinnacles, according to the ASI and the district administration. The two tombs also show contrasting Mughal octagonal plans — one square inside and octagonal outside, the other the reverse — built about 45 years apart in the reigns of Jahangir and Shah Jahan.
Last updated and sources
Go if you care about Mughal tilework, quiet heritage and small detours off the Jalandhar–Amritsar circuit; the best months are October to March, ideally in the morning. Keep it a short, respectful visit and reconfirm transport before you set out.
Last updated: 30 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Jalandhar district administration, “Nakodar Tomb” and culture & heritage pages (jalandhar.nic.in); Wikipedia, “List of Monuments of National Importance in Punjab” (N-PB-16) and “Tombs of Ustad-Shagird, Nakodar” (used to locate the official record and coordinates); The Tribune, “Nakodar’s ustad-shagird tombs cry for attention,” 13 March 2025 (tribuneindia.com); and heritage documentation of the tombs’ plan and tilework. Accessed September 2026.
