Restoration of the Thag Baba Shrine in Kashmir: A Forgotten Mughal Tomb for an Intoxicated Sufi Saint

The shrine of Thag Baba was constructed in the seventeenth century by the Mughals in their frontier province of Kashmir. Built for a Sufi saint whose history is lost in legends, this lone surviving Mughal tomb in Kashmir, divorced from local building traditions, represents the imperial decorative techniques of the Mughal court and served as a symbol of royal authority. Examining the history of the shrine and its possible patronage, this article traces its evolution and the reasons behind its decay following completion. It examines how issues of conservation and consolidation of the building were addressed with an aim to promote renewed community involvement and development. Highlighting the project as an exemplar, the article reflects on contemporary issues and challenges adversely affecting Kashmir’s built heritage and on how these might be addressed.