The tomb was built between 1320 and 1324 CE by Ghiyath al-Din Tughluq in the pre-Mughal architectural style.

[4] The main entrance has since been shifted to the east, in an attempt to align the shrine's axises with Mecca, in accordance with orthodox interpretations of Islam.

The first tier features bands of timber that create a visual break in the exterior brickwork.

[8] The mausoleum is built entirely of red brick, bounded with beams of shisham wood, which have turned black over the centuries.

Buttresses, turrets, and crenellations at the top of the shrine reflect the influence of Tughluq military architecture on even non-military buildings.

[9] The exterior is further embellished with regional-style tile-work in floral, arabesque, and geometric motifs with dark blue, azure, and white tiles - all of which contrast the deep red finely polished bricks.

[3] The sarcophagus of Rukn-e-Alam is slightly off-centre, and is surrounded by the graves of 72 of his relatives,[4] which allude to the 72 martyred companions of the Prophet Muhammad's grandson, Imam Hussein, at the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE.