The short answer
Tombs of Sher Afghan and Qutbuddin Koka: what visitors should know first
Worth a short stop if Mughal history interests you. Expect a quiet, modest site and narrow lanes; go by auto in the morning. Allow half an hour and ask locally for timings.
History and context
The story behind Tombs of Sher Afghan and Qutbuddin Koka
Sher Afghan and Qutbuddin Koka are recorded as dying here in a fight in the early 17th century; sources give 1607 or 1610 and differ on the reasons for the quarrel. The tombs were built later and are maintained by the ASI.
Useful facts
Tombs of Sher Afghan and Qutbuddin Koka facts at a glance
- Location
- Alamganj, Bardhaman, near Pir Bahram
- Experience type
- Historic tombs
- Known for
- Link to Nur Jahan's early life
- Maintained by
- Archaeological Survey of India
- Time or schedule
- Check local timings before going
Why it matters
Why Tombs of Sher Afghan and Qutbuddin Koka is worth your time
Sher Afghan was a Mughal officer in Bengal and the first husband of Mehr-un-Nissa, who later became the Empress Nur Jahan. His death in Bardhaman, in a clash with the Mughal officer Qutbuddin Koka, is one of the best-known episodes in the story of how she reached Emperor Jahangir's court.
The tombs make Bardhaman a footnote in that story. Few visitors know them, but for anyone interested in Mughal-era Bengal they are among the district's few direct links to the empire.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Two graves side by side
Sher Afghan and Qutbuddin Koka are commemorated in the same enclosure.
- 02
The Nur Jahan story
The site is a physical link to the early life of the future empress.
- 03
Pir Bahram shrine
An active Sufi shrine in the same compound.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
The tombs lie inside the compound of the shrine of Pir Bahram in Alamganj, not far from the old Rajbati and Bardhaman railway station. Ask the auto driver for Sher Afghan's mazar and be prepared for narrow lanes in the last stretch.
The graves are modest, set in an enclosure maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India. What you will find is quiet and mostly atmosphere, not decoration, so the stop works best if you know the story. Allow a few minutes for the shrine of Pir Bahram next door, which is an active place of worship and requires respectful dress.
Photography is usually possible outside but ask before shooting inside the shrine. Combine the visit with Curzon Gate and Sarbamangala Temple, both reachable by a short auto ride.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Ask a driver for Sher Afghan mazar
- Dress modestly
- Check timings locally
- Ask before photographing worshippers
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Alamganj, near Pir Bahram and the Rajbati, close to Bardhaman station
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Best time
- Morning
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- Short, level approach from the street, but the area is cramped and lanes are narrow. A short auto ride to the entrance is better than walking from the station.
- Tickets and access
- ASI-protected; ticket and timing rules are not clearly published. Check with a local guide or driver on the day.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Tombs of Sher Afghan and Qutbuddin Koka
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
Short, level approach from the street, but the area is cramped and lanes are narrow. A short auto ride to the entrance is better than walking from the station.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Who was Sher Afghan?
A Mughal officer in Bengal and the first husband of Mehr-un-Nissa, later Empress Nur Jahan.
When did he die?
Sources give 1607 or 1610; accounts differ.
Is it ASI-protected?
Yes, the tombs are listed as maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.