In all other arches with ornamental plasterwork, the missing portions, inappropriately plastered over with plain cement-surkhi plaster are being restored in traditional lime plaster. Careful cleaning of the decorative incised plasterwork is also being carried out using only soft sandpaper and thus revealing original patterns.

In the spandrels of the arches of the ground floor arcade are buff coloured sandstone slabs with decorative medallions. Significantly, each of the arches has a different motif and unusually for an Islamic tomb, the designs are not limited to geometric patterns and plant motifs but also include motifs such as peacocks. Severely damaged medallions, where original patterns could be discerned, were replaced with matching stones which were hand carved on site. Where stones were missing, replacement stones only have a plain medallion. The newly carved stones will require several years of exposure to the elements to oxidize and become darker as with the original stones.

On the external facade, the four corners of the lower arcade, where the dressed stone blocks had been missing were restored as per the original details. Missing sandstone blocks were also replaced with new stones prepared using traditional tools.

Gallery

Rahim tomb lower facade before conservation

Rahim tomb lower facade during conservation

Rahim tomb lower facade after conservation

Lower arcade was laser scanned

Rahim tomb lower facade before conservation

Decorative incised lime plasterwork on Rahim tomb lower arcade before conservation

Decorative incised lime plasterwork on Rahim tomb lower arcade after conservation

Before conservation view of the missing stone medallion on the lower arcade

Rahim tomb lower facade during conservation

Before conservation view of the missing stone medallion on the lower arcade

Master craftsman carving the decorative stone medallions

Before conservation view of the missing stone medallion on the lower arcade

Decorative incised lime plasterwork on Rahim tomb lower arcade after conservation

Craftsmen working on the conservation of Rahim Tomb

Conservation architect documenting the decorative stone medallions

Stone medallions of Rahim Tomb

Master craftsman carving the decorative stone medallions

Master craftsman carving the decorative stone medallions

Decorative incised lime plasterwork on the alcoves of lower arcade before conservation

Decorative incised lime plasterwork on the alcoves of lower arcade during conservation

Decorative incised lime plasterwork on the alcoves of lower arcade during conservation

Decorative incised lime plasterwork on the alcoves of lower arcade after conservation

Lower cells during conservation

Decorative incised lime plasterwork on the alcoves of lower arcade during conservation

Decorative incised lime plasterwork on the alcoves of lower arcade before conservation

Decorative incised lime plasterwork on the alcoves of lower arcade during conservation

3D laser scan image of the lower arcade

Decorative incised lime plasterwork on the alcoves of lower arcade during conservation

Craftsmen restoring the sand stone on the lower facade

Craftsmen restoring the sandstone on the lower facade

Craftsmen restoring the stonework on the lower facade

Craftsmen restoring the DQ stonework on the lower facade

Craftsmen restoring the stonework on the lower facade

Craftsmen restoring the stonework on the lower facade

Craftsmen restoring the stonework on the lower facade

Craftsmen restoring incised lime plasterwork on the lower facade

Craftsmen restoring incised lime plasterwork on the lower facade

Craftsmen restoring incised lime plasterwork on the lower facade

Craftsmen restoring incised lime plasterwork on the lower facade

Craftsmen restoring incised lime plasterwork on the lower facade

Decorative incised lime plasterwork on the alcoves of lower arcade after conservation

Decorative incised lime plasterwork on the alcoves of lower arcade before conservation

Decorative incised lime plasterwork on the alcoves of lower arcade after conservation

Rahim tomb lower facade before conservation

Rahim tomb lower facade after conservation