The mausoleum was commissioned by Nur Jahan, the wife of Jahangir, for her father Mirzā Ghiyās Beg, originally a Persian Amir in exile,[4] who had been given the title of I'timād-ud-Daulah (pillar of the state).

Mirzā Ghiyās Beg was also the grandfather of Mumtāz Mahāl (originally named Arjumand Banu Begum, daughter of Asaf Khan), the wife of the emperor Shah Jahan, responsible for the construction of the Taj Mahal.

[5] The only asymmetrical element of the entire complex is that the cenotaphs of her father and mother have been set side-by-side, a formation replicated in the Taj Mahal.

He was made Vazir (Prime Minister) after Nur Jahan's marriage with Jahangir in 1611 and held the mansab of 7000/7000 and the title : "I'timad-Ud-Daulah" (The Lord treasurer).

The tomb, situated on the eastern bank of the river Yamuna, is planned in the centre of a Char-Bagh (four-quartered garden), with the usual enclosing walls and side buildings.

[1][5] Shallow water channels, sunk in the middle of the raised stone paved pathways, with intermittent tanks and cascades, divided the garden into four equal quarters.

Space for large plants and trees was reserved just adjoining the enclosing walls, leaving the mausoleum fully open to view.

It stands on a plinth with a stairway of red stone, having in the middle of each side facing the central arch, a lotus tank with fountain.

The plinth also has a star-pattern inlay[6] The interior is composed of a central square hall housing the cenotaphs of Asmat Begum and her husband, Mirza Ghiyas.

Beautiful, floral, and stylized arabesque (spandrel and interior), geometrical designs (parapet and jali), opus sectile mosaic with (stones, tiles, glass and enamel) and slices of pietra dura inlay (of semi-precious stones) have been decorated on the whole exterior in inlay and mosaic techniques, in various pleasing tints and tones.

[1][6] Wine vase, dish and cup, cypress, honeysuckle, guldasta (flower bouquet) and such other Iranian motifs, typical of the art of Jahangir, have been emphatically used.