Jinnah of Pakistan
The Sarcophagus
In the middle of the tomb chamber lies the sarcophagus, aligned north and south, built
of Italian white marble and surrounded by double fencing, the inner one
of silver and the outer one of polished bronze. It stands on a triple
base, the topmost being moulded. The walls of the sarcophagus diverge
outward. Their lower portion is relieved by a series of acanthus leaves
in a row resting on the basal moulding while its upper portion has the
following Arabic inscriptions engraved in relief:
"In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
When comes the Help of God and Victory,
And thou dost see
The people enter God's Religion In crowds.
Celebrate the praises of the Lord, and pray for His foregiveness:
For He is Oft-turning (In Grace and Mercy)"
The box-like sarcophagus is covered by a flat top with its side margins relieved by a floral device. This is again covered by a flat cover, the top of which is profusely carved with an intricate creeper motif deriving from the overgrowth of grape branches and leaves in a tropical country.
Courtesy: Prof. Ahmad Hasan Dani, Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad