Jinnah of Pakistan

The Fencing around the Sarcophagus

The double fencing in the tomb chamber is of unusual interest. They are both low, meant to keep away visitors and preserve the sanctity of the grave. Both of them are rectangular in plan following the alignment of the grave. The inner fencing, which is of silver, has four facetted pillars at the four corners and two in between. Each of them is topped by a finialled dome resting on a square base, which itself is relieved on all the four sides byb a thunderbolt motif. These little domes are further decorated with floral motif at the base and at the finial. They hold the rows of cross bars fitted with silver plates back to back. These plates have minute floral carvings, showing clearly two concentric six-petalled flower design among others. The outer fencing of bronze has three horizontal bars held together by square pillars, one at each of the four corners, three on the shorter side and four on the longer arm. The pillars are topped by a low cupola. On the western side an entrance is provided, which could be opened at the time of placing wreath on a stand.

Courtesy: Prof. Ahmad Hasan Dani, Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad