John Hessing's Tomb (The Red Taj Mahal)

One of the most unique experiences in Agra. Sadly, one of the least promoted places to the level where even the locals are not aware of this place. Visit it to enjoy a good quiet time in the middle of the city.

One of the lesseer known monuments of Agra. Designed using sandstone with typical mughal-style engravings, arches, domes, and symmetrical designs. An architectural delight !!

In true sense it was built in memory of a beloved soul by a lady, contrary to our belief that The Tajmahal was built. Hidden in a corner of Agra town, very few people come here but an amazing structure, full of architectural marvel. Serene, peaceful with virtually devoid of the sound of any footsteps!

Hessing's Tomb which is located in Agra is quite lesser known edifice. I was amused by this lovely memorial as it was built by the beloved wife of William Heading.

His complete name was John William Hessing and was the national of Netherlands and was born on 05th November 1739 AD in the Central city Utrecht. He served to Dutch East India Company and remain in Cylone in the year 1752. Later as a military officer he joined Nizam of Hyderabad in 1763 AD. In 1784 AD he joined as a Major in Madho Rao Scindia. He fought against the Nizam and Martha forces defeated Nizam. Later in 1798 he was promoted to the rank of Colonol and in 1800 AD he was asked to resign due to his injuries which he sustained near Ujjain against Holkar and British Army he was severely wounded. On 21st July 1803 AD he died in Agra. In the Roman Catholic Christian cemetery a square shape double storey Tomb was built by his wife Anne Hessing, sons George, Thomas and daughter Magdalene. It's built by red stone and inspired by Taj Mahal. It's considered a Red Taj. Exterior is fascinating as all the four sides grand arch gateways and each gateway is having either side Arches or Mihrab adorned by carvings stone screens blaustrades at the corner on terrace and dome is surrounded by borders and structure all the corners are having delicate cenotaphs. Original tomb is at Ground level and here the details are mentioned. Ground floor is having screened archways for the free air passage. Its Architecture is almost similar to Mughal Architecture.

It's a wonderful monument and dedicated by a wife to her beloved husband. It's a major tourists attraction among the history buffs wanderers soulseekers heritage and culture lovers

Hessing's tomb is located in the Padretola, or Padresanto, a Christian cemetery in Agra: The tomb of John Hessing, hard by, is a still more splendid edifice, being a copy, in red sandstone, of the famous Taj Mahal, and on a pretty extensive scale too, though far smaller than the original. The tomb, which was completed in or about the year of the British conquest, bears an inscription in good English, setting forth that the deceased colonel was a Dutchman, who died Commandant of Agra, in his 63rd year, 21 July 1803, just before Lake's successful siege of the place.*
The Tomb was built by John Hessing's wife, Alice.

Well kept secret of city, not much people knows about this place.
It's as beautiful as Taj and the story behind it is also same.

Nice one, Red Tajmehal

Best place to visit

Nice

Nice place to visit😀

Verify nice

लॉकडाउन के बाद से बंद है ये जगह

If you find yourself exploring the sights of Agra, this oddity is worth a quick visit. John Hessing's Tomb, with its flashy red sandstone construction in a style mimicking the nearby Taj Mahal, makes for an intriguing pitstop.

This mausoleum was built in the early 1800s as an extravagant final resting place for the Dutch aristocrat John Hessing. He deliberately chose a location in eyeshot of the Taj to draw attention. While nowhere near as refined as the Taj Mahal, the tomb still impresses with its eccentricgrandiosity.

The building is showing its age. The grounds could use some sprucing up and restoration work on the structure itself. Still, it's an interesting testament to one man's outsized vanity. It's rare to find such an ostentatious display built simply to honor someone's legacy rather than any cultural or religious significance.

You'll only need 10-15 minutes to take in the curiosity of the site. Not a must-see, but worth budgeting a quick visit if you have an extra quarter hour to spare between Agra's big attractions. An odd monument for an odd historical figure.

This place is haunted .