Fatehpur Sikri

Fatehpur Sikri is a historic city located about 37 km west of Agra, the city famous for Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. Fatehpur Sikri complements Agra with its own share of historical monuments, which are in an excellent state of preservation. Fatehpur Sikri is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a popular tourist destination in India.

HISTORY

Fatehpur Sikri is all about the reign of the great Mughal emperor Akbar. Akbar became the Mughal king of Delhi Sultanate in the year 1556. Agra had been a prominent city since Sikandar Lodi founded it in the year 1504 and developed it as the second capital. Akbar realized the importance of Agra and made it his capital in 1565. The work on Agra Fort was started, and, with more than a million workmen, the Fort was completed in eight years time in 1573.

Akbar was highly influenced by Shaikh Salim Chishti, the great Sufi saint, who was greatly revered in India. Akbar went to Shaikh Salim Chisti to seek his blessings. Shaikh Salim Chishti predicted that Akbar would get a son. Afterwards, Akbar got a son, whom he named as Salim in honor of Shaikh Salim Chishti. Salim, later became known as Jahangir and became the emperor after Akbar. Akbar built a royal city in Fatehpur Sikri in honor of Shaikh Salim Chishti and made it his capital in 1571. He built a grand mosque, Jama Masjid, and a complex of palaces and meeting places for the royal family and the ministers.

It is believed that the founding principles and concept of main nine ministers, the Navratnas, evolved in Fatehpur Sikri. However, because of water shortage and strategic reasons, Akbar decided to leave the city of Fatehpur Sikri, moving to Lahore, which became his capital in 1585. In 1599, Akbar returned back to Agra and Agra remained the Mughal capital thereafter, till Shah Jahan decided to move the capital to Shahjahanabad (Delhi) in the year 1649.

BULAND DARWAZA

Buland Darwaza

Buland means “high”, or “soaring”; Darwaza is “gate”. So Buland Darwaza is a high gate. It is indeed very high, at 176 feet from ground and 134 feet from the top step, making it one of the biggest gateways in the world. One has to climb 42 steps to reach the entrance to the monument. Viewed from outside, Buland Darwaza offers a grand majestic look. It is believed to have been constructed in 1573, celebrating Akbar’s conquest of Gujarat.

Buland Darwaza is the main entrance to the Jama Masjid mosque complex.

Buland Darwaza, another view

Buland Darwaza interior

BADSHAHI GATE

Badshahi Gate

Badshahi gate is on the eastern side of the mosque complex. This gate was used by Akbar for attending the congregation at Jama Masjid.

Badshahi Gate interior

JAMA MASJID

Jama Masjid is one of the most important and largest mosques of the world. It was built in 1571. Also known as the Friday Mosque and Dargah mosque, it is most sacred building and is situated at the highest point in Fatehpur Sikri,

Jama Masjid mosque

TOMB OF SHAIKH SALIM CHISTI

Tomb of Shaikh Salim Chisti

The white marble shrine inside the mosque complex houses the tomb of Shaikh Salim Chisti. People come here to seek blessings for fulfillment of their wishes.

PALACE COMPLEX

BIRBAL’S PALACE

Birbal's Palace

Although this building is attributed to Birbal, it is believed to be the residence of Akbar’s senior queens, Ruqaiyya Begam and Salima Sultan Begum. There is a beautiful balcony on the first floor as are the windows, called jharokhas, also on the first floor.

DIWAN-I-AM

Diwan-I-Am

Diwan-I-Am, or the Hall of Public Audiences, was the place for public meetings. There is a pavilion for the emperor’s throne. The audience would gather in the open spaces on three sides of the pavilion.

DIWAN-I-KHAS

Diwan-I-Khas

Diwan-I-Khas, or the Hall of Private Audiences, was the place of official meetings where Akbar would meet his ministors, visitors, scholars and generals. The central pillar of Diwan-I-Khas is piece of architectural novelty. It has thirty six volutes supporting a circular platform at the top of the pillar. The platform provided the place for the emperor’s seat.

Diwan-I-Khas, another view

The central pillar at Diwan-I-Khas

PANCH MAHAL

Panch Mahal

Panch Mahal is the five-storied palace, supported on columns, with third story onwards, floors getting smaller and at the top there is single domed small structure supported on four columns. From Panch Mahal, one could enjoy the cool breeze and a panoramic view of the city around.

ANUP TALAO

Anup Talao

Anup Talao, or the Peerless Pool, is a square pool, with a platform in the center. This platform was used as a stage and it is said that Tansen used to perform here.

©2010 Karunesh's Blog. All Rights Reserved.

Mehrauli Archaeological Park, New Delhi

Mehrauli Archaeological Park is a heritage park covering an area of about 200 acres located close to the Qutub Complex in New Delhi. The park has been developed around historical monuments dating back to almost a millennium. Parts of the park had been covered by thick forests for over a century. As a part of a major conservation effort by development agencies, the parts of forests were removed to uncover the ruins that give a picture of the civilization that lived here. The park is also an excellent place for walking as the trees and open spaces make an ideal environment for taking a break from the daily routine. The main entrance to the park is near Andheria More on the Anuvrat Road.

BALBAN’S TOMB

Balban's Tomb

Ghiyas ud din Balban (1200-87) was the ruler of Delhi Sultanate from 1266 to 1287. It is believed to be the first building with arches built in India. The tomb must have had a dome which has not survived the passage of time.

Balban's Tomb - Another view

LANDSCAPE

There are lush green lawns, open spaces and children’s park. To a large extent the path is clearly marked with trees on both sides. The arrangement of stones on top of a small hillock is quite intriguing.

Landscape - stone arrangement, not random

Landscape at Mehrauli Archaeological Park

Walking Trail

Walking Trail, another view

Landscape - another view

METCALFE’S CANOPY

Metcalfe's canopy

Metcalfe’s canopy was built by Charles Metcalfe, in the early nineteenth century as an attempt to make it look like a building of an earlier era. Since the canopy is located at a higher elevation, it provides an excellent location for a good view of surrounding areas.

Metcalfe's Canopy, a closer view

JAMALI KAMALI MOSQUE AND TOMB

Jamali-Kamali Mosque

Shaikh Fazlu’llah, also known as Shaikh Jamali Kamboh or Jalal Khan or Jamali, was a great saint and poet during the reign of Sikander Lodi and Humayun. Shaikh Jamali died in the year 1536. The mosque was built during 1528-1529. The tomb was built in the year 1528. It has two graves. One grave is of Jamali. The other one is of a person known as Kamali. No other information is known about Kamali.

The mosque is believed to be first pioneering work of Mughal architecture in India. The prayer hall has five arches, with the central arch being the biggest and having a dome. The tomb is of square structure with a flat roof. Both the mosque and tomb are beautifully decorated. Both, the mosque and the tomb have large courtyards.

Jamali-Kamali Tomb

Jamali-Kamali Mosque and Tomb

RUINS

Ruins

These are the ruins of buildings estimated to be of sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. This part was uncovered from dense forests in the years 2001-02.

KHAN SHAHID’S TOMB

Khan Shahid's Tomb

Khan Shahid was the son of Balban. This tomb was built for him, although it is believed that he was buried in Balban’s Tomb. The tomb is believed to have been built sometime during the late thirteenth or early fourteenth century. The tomb is octagonal in an enclosure and, originally, had a dome. The entrance to the tomb is elevated and there was a waterfall below the stairs.

Rajon Ki Baoli

Rajon Ki Baoli

A baoli is a step well. There are steps that take you to the bottom of the well. In the olden times, they made chambers with steps close to the shaft of the well. Here, people use to gather for social interaction and also to enjoy the cooler environment surrounding the well, away from the heat outside. It is called Rajon Ki Baoli because it was primarily used by Raj, the masons.

Stairs at Rajon Ki Baoli

Tomb and Mosque adjacent to Rajon Ki Baoli

Quli Khan’s Tomb

Quli Khan's Tomb

Mohammad Quli Khan was the brother of Adham Khan. The two brothers were generals of Mughal emperor Akbar. It was constructed in the early seventeenth century.

©2010 Karunesh's Blog. All Rights Reserved.

Lodi Gardens, New Delhi

Lodi Gardens is a historic park spread over 90 acres in the heart of New Delhi. Lodi Gardens has historical monuments built during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Then there is a great park with spread out lawns, trees, plants and flowers. Visiting Lodhi Gardens can be a unique way of experiencing history and nature. It is also one of the finest places for taking a morning walk.

Lodi Gardens was landscaped by Lady Willingdon in 1936. Lady Willingdon was the wife of Marquess of Willingdon, Governor-General of India during the British Raj at that time. It was re-landscaped by American landscape architects Joseph Allen Stein and Garrett Eckbo in 1968.

The Tomb of Mohammad Shah

The tomb of Mohammed Shah at Lodi Gardens

Mohammad Shah was the third ruler of the Delhi sultanate in India from the Sayyid dynasty. Mohammad Shah ruled from 1434 to 1444. The tomb was built by his son, Ala-ud-Din Alam Shah in the year 1444. Mohammad Shah’s tomb is close to an entrance to the Gardens and is visible from the main road outside.

Sheesh Gumbad

Sheesh Gumbad

Sheesh Gumbad, or Glass Dome, called so because of the blue tiles that adorned it earlier. Some of the remnants of these tiles can be seen at the fop of the facade now also. Sheesh Gumbad has been dated as built sometime in the late fifteenth or early sixteenth century and has graves of an unknown family. Sheesh Gumbad is square in plan whereas a lot of other monuments of the same era are octagonal. It has a striking white dome and the stone walls have a good finish. The landscape around gives it a great background and the view is simply superb.

Sheesh Gumbad, a closer view

Bara Gumbad

Bara Gumbad

Bara Gumbad, or Big Dome, is a square tomb with a predominant white dome, built during the Lodi period (1451-1526). There is also Bara Gumbad Mosque, with three domes and five arched openings. The interior of the mosque is heavily decorated with florals, geometric designs and holy inscriptions. The hall in front of the mosque served as a guest house. There are remains of a water tank in the courtyard.

Bara Gumbad, a closer view

Mosque at Bara Gumbad

Bara Gumbad, another view

The Tomb of Sikandar Lodhi

Sikandar Lodhi's tomb

Sikandar Lodi was the ruler of Delhi Sultanate from 1489 to 1517, being the second ruler of the Lodi dynasty. The tomb was built by his son, Ibrahim Lodi, after Sikandar Lodi’s death, in the year 1517. Sikandar Lodi’s tomb is well inside the Lodi Gardens and there is an elaborate boundary wall which gives a unique peaceful environment inside the tomb. The tomb is octagonal, with three arched openings on the sides. There are a lot of trees in the garden around the tomb and the birds chirp a lot and the overall atmosphere is very serene.

Athpula Bridge

Athpula Bridge

Athpula, or Eight-piered, bridge is a heritage stone bridge built by Nawab Bahadur, a nobleman in the court of great Mughal emperor Akbar. It was built sometime during the late sixteenth century. The bridge has seven spans or arches and, thus, is supported by eight piers. The bridge stands over the remains of what was once a tributary of the river Yamuna. It is also known as Khairpur ka Pul.

Athpula Bridge, another view

Landscape

The landscape is simply superb. There are walking trails, jogging tracks, open spaces, trees, flowers and a lot of shade from sunshine. Some of the scenery is captured in the pictures below.

Water lily

Another flower

Red flower

Landscape

Landscape, another view

Landscape, another view

A sprinkler at work

Shade

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Qutub Minar, New Delhi

Qutub Minar, also written as Qutb Minar or Qutab Minar, was built during the years 1193-1386. The Qutub Complex, which has the Qutub Minar and other monuments of the same era, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Qutub Minar is a very popular tourist destination in New Delhi. Qutub Minar is 72.5 meters tall, with 239 steps leading to the top. The base diameter is 14.3 meters and the top floor diameter is 2.75 meters. Qutub Minar is the world's tallest minaret.

HISTORY

When we look at Qutub Minar, and the other monuments near it, we are looking at history between the twelfth and fourteenth centuries. Qutb-ud-din Aybak was the governor of northern India from year 1193 and, later, the ruler from 1206-1210. The construction of Qutub Minar started in the year 1193. During Qutb-ud-din’s lifetime, the base of the Minar was completed. Qutb-ud-din’s son-in-law, Shams-ud-din Iltutmish, became the ruler of Delhi in 1211. Iltutmish ruled from 1211 to 1236. During his reign, three stories were added to the Qutub Minar. Iltutmish died in the year 1236 and appointed his daughter Razia Sultan as his successor. But a woman ruler was not acceptable to the nobles and there a period of instability and power struggle in which Razia and others lost their lives. Finally, Ghiyas ud din Balban, became the ruler of Delhi in the year 1266 and ruled till his death in 1287. After his death, there was again instability till Jalal-ud-Din Firuz Khilji became the ruler from 1290-1296. Jalal-ud-Din Firuz Khilji was succeeded by his nephew, Ala-ud-din Khilji. Ala-ud-din Khilji, ruled during the years 1296-1316.

Ghiyath al-Din Tughluq became the ruler of Delhi in the year 1320. He founded the third city of Delhi, Tughluqabad. Ghiyath al-Din Tughluq ruled till the year 1325 and was succeeded by his son Muhammad bin Tughluq. Muhammad bin Tughluq ruled from 1325 to 1351. Muhammad bin Tughluq was succeeded by his cousin, Firuz Shah Tughlaq, who ruled from 1351-1388. Firuz Shah Tughlaq constructed the fifth and the last story of Qutub Minar in the year 1386.

Qutub Minar, another view

Historians have speculated about the purpose of Qutub Minar. Some believe it to be a tower signifying victory in battlefield. Others, think of it as a tower of defense. It is also believed to be a tower for calling people for prayer. Also, the opinion is divided regarding the source of the name of the tower. Some believe it to have been named in honor of the ruler Qutb-ud-din Aibak, while others think that the tower has been named after the saint, Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki, who was held in high esteem by Iltutmish.

Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque

Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque was built during 1193-97 by Qutb-ud-din Aybak. The mosque has a rectangular court enclosed by cloisters with carved columns taken from twenty seven Hindu and Jain temples. The lofty arches in front of the prayer hall impart a majestic look to the monument.

The main entrance to Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque

Iron Pillar

Just near the main arch, there is the Iron Pillar, famously known as the Iron Pillar of Delhi. The pillar is 7.21 meters high, weighs about six tonnes and is 98% pure wrought iron. The iron pillar may be one of the oldest edifice that one can see. It is said to have been made during the reign of Chandragupta II Vikramaditya (375–413). Some authorities date it as old as 912BCE. The iron pillar has been a subject of study of many archaeologists and metallurgists to find out how it has been able to withstand corrosion even after being kept in open air for more than 1600 years.

Iron Pillar

Iron Pillar, another view

There is an inscription on the iron pillar in Brahmi script which says that the tower was set up as a mark of lofty standard of divine Lord Vishnu. The inscription praises the warrior named Chandra, which is interpreted as the praise of Gupta King Chandragupta II Vikramaditya (375-413). It is believed that if one stood which back against the pillar and the hands meeting behind it and made a wish, the wish would get fulfilled. But the authorities felt that it was more important to preserve the heritage and save the pillar from the sweat of visitors and so a fence was erected around it in 1997.

Alai Darwaza

Alai Darwaza

Alai Darwaza was built by Ala-ud-din Khilji in the year 1311. It was meant to be a gateway to the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque from the southern side. Alai Darwaza is a square hall about 17.2 meters side and the dome reaches to a height of about 14.3 meters. The salient points are a wide but shallow dome on an octagonal base, horseshoe-shaped arches, with lotus-bud fringes adding to the beauty of arches. The gateway is decorated with carvings of geometric patterns and calligraphy on white marble bands. As the monument is quite high, there is cool air inside and sitting there for some time can be a very soothing experience.

Imam Zamim's Tomb

Imam Zamim's Tomb

Imam Muhammad Ali or Imam Zamim came to Delhi from Turkestan during the reign of Sikandar Lodhi (1489-1517). He built the mausoleum during his lifetime. Imam Zamim died in the year 1539. The tomb has perforated screens on the sides. The dome is made of sandstone and covered with plaster.

LANDSCAPE

Open Spaces at Qutub Minar

There are large open spaces in the Qutub Complex and walking on the lawns is a pleasant experience. The ground is uneven and there are ups and downs on the walking trail. As you go round the walking trail you can see the monuments from varying distances and heights and, in the process, see some delightful sights.

Walking Trail

A bougainvillea plant

In the open ground, a bougainvillea plant stands all by itself. These bougainvillea plants are amazing. They do not require much of nurturing and can grow even when you do not water the plant on a daily basis. Still the flowers are colorful and bougainvilleas can make any garden look good.

Alauddin Khilji's Tomb

Alauddin Khilji's Tomb

Ala-ud-din Khilji was the ruler of Khilji dynasty in Delhi during the years 1296-1316. Ala-ud-din Khilji was a powerful ruler who won many battles during his reign. He made many monuments during his lifetime. He made Alai Darwaza, enlarged the size of Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, started the Alai Minar, which he had planned to be double the size of Qutub Minar and also made the Madarsa, or College, which is just behind his tomb. The tomb was made in 1316, after his death.

Alauddin Khilji's Tomb, another view

Alauddin Khilji's Madarsa

The unfinished Alai Minar

Iltutmish's Tomb

Iltutmish's Tomb

Iltutmish built the tomb himself in 1235, a year before his death. The gate is heavily decorated with carvings. Inside, there are very rich decorations. There is a prayer niche on the west wall, decorated with marble and with beautiful designs and patterns.

Iltutmish's Tomb, another view

Iltutmish's Tomb

©2010 Karunesh's Blog. All Rights Reserved.

Safdarjung's Tomb, New Delhi

Safdarjung

Mirza Muqim Abul Mansoor Khan (1708-54), better known by his title, Safdarjung, was the powerful governor of the province of Awadh and a key member of cabinet under the Mughal emperor Muhammad Shah (1719-48) and later prime minister under his successor, Ahmad Shah Bahadur (1748-54). It is said that by the year 1750, Safdarjung was the most powerful person in the Mughal empire.

Safdarjung’s influence on Delhi is evident from the number of entities named in his honor. There is Safdarjung Road, Safdarjung Airport, Safdarjung Hospital, Safdarjung Development Area and Safdarjung Enclave.

Safdarjung’s Tomb

Safdarjung’s Tomb was built by his son Nawab Shauja-ud-Daulah as a tribute to his father in the year 1754. The monument is a classic example of Mughal architecture. The tomb has a prominent white marble dome, built on a sixteen sided drum. The entrance is through an ornately decorated gateway on the eastern side. The double-storied gateway has apartments, mosque and a courtyard. There are three pavilions, Moti-Mahal, or Perl Palace on the north side, Badshah Pasand, or King’s Favorite on the south and Jangli Mahal or the Sylvan Palace on the west side. There are octagonal towers at the four corners. The garden is known as Char Bagh, or Four Gardens. This is because the garden is divided into four squares by pathways and water tanks.

Safdarjung’s Tomb is the only prominent monument built in the post-Aurangzeb Mughal era. In fact, it is known as the last flicker in the lamp of Mughal architecture.

Safdarjung's Tomb, another view

Safdarjung’s Tomb is a peaceful and serene place. There is heavy traffic on the roads outside, but once one enters the tomb, the environment is quiet. The breeze is cool and the overall environment is serene.

MORE PICTURES

Octagonal Tower - a closer view

A flower in the garden

Another flower

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Abdul Rahim Khan-i-Khana's Tomb, New Delhi

Abdul Rahim Khan-i-Khana

Mirza Abdul Rahim Khan-i-Khana (1556-1627), popularly known as Rahim, was son of Bairam Khan and was one of the Navaratnas, or main ministers, in the court of the great Mughal emperor, Akbar. Abdul Rahim was a learned man with great command over Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Hindi and Sanskrit languages. Abdul Rahim is most famous for his couplets, or dohe in Hindi language, which are timeless words of wisdom in the form of poetry.

Apart from dohe, Abdul Rahim wrote two books on Astrology, Kheta Kautukama and Dwawishd Yogavali. He also translated Babar’s memoirs, Baburnama from Chagatai language to Persian.

Abdul Rahim was an able general and a good administrator. In the year 1573, he accompanied Akbar to Patan, Gujarat for the battle for annexation of the Gujarat Sultanate. In 1576, he was appointed as Vazír of Gujarat for management of the province. Later on, he became Mír 'Arz and Átalíq to Prince Salim. In 1583, the last ruler of Gujarat Sultanate, Muzaffar Shah III, regrouped and regained the throne for a short period. Abdul Rahim defeated him twice, first in the battle of Sarkich, near Ahmadabad and, later on, near Nadot. For these two victories, Akbar made him commander of Five Thousand, Khán Khánán.

Abdul Rahim was a noble, kind-hearted and humble person. While giving charity, his hand would be high, with eyes looking downwards. For, he thought, as he said to the great Tulsidas, “The Giver is someone else, giving day and night. People mistakenly give me credit, so my eyes are looking downwards.” After the final victory at Gujarat, Abdul Rahim gave all his belongings to his soldiers. When the last soldier came, and nothing was apparently left, he gave his inkstand to him.

Abdul Rahim Khan-I-Khana’s Tomb

Abdul Rahim Khan-i-Khana's Tomb

Abdul Rahim Khan-I-Khana’s tomb is located on Mathura Road in Nizamuddin area in New Delhi. It was built by him for his wife in the year 1598. It became his final resting place when he died in 1627.

Lawns at Abdul Rahim Khan-i-Khana's Tomb

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PREVIOUS RECORDS

Ever since the one day international (ODI) cricket matches got started in the 1970s, a century in an ODI match has been considered a major achievement. The first ODI was played between England and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on January 5, 1971. The first ODI century was scored by the English batsman Dennis Amiss, when he scored 103 against Australia in Manchester on August 24, 1972, about one and a half years after the ODIs were started. Amiss, an attacking batsman, scored 103 in 134 balls hitting 9 fours. Since then, the batsmen have vied to score more and more runs in the ODIs.

On June 18, 1983, India and Zimbabwe played a group stage ODI in the Cricket World Cup at Tunbridge Wells, England. Batting first, India were quickly 5 wickets down for 17 runs. Kapil Dev played an innings of a lifetime and scored 175 not out in 138 balls, hitting 16 fours and six sixes. About a year later, on May 31, 1984, in a match between West Indies and England played at Old Trafford, Manchester, Vivian Richards scored 189 not out in 170 balls hitting 21 fours and 5 sixes. This record stayed for quite sometime until on May 21, 1997, Saeed Anwar scored 194 in 146 balls, hitting 22 fours and 5 sixes for Pakistan against India at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai. Anwar broke Richards’ record, which had stood for almost 13 years. On August 16, 2009, Charles Coventry of Zimbabwe scored 194 not out against Bangladesh at Bulawayo and equaled the record. Coventry hit 16 fours and 7 sixes in his 156-ball knock.

DOUBLE HUNDRED – AN ELUSIVE BARRIER

For the last 40 years, people have wondered whether a batsman would score a 200 in ODIs. The progress of the batting record in ODIs has been steady – first scores in 170s, then 180s and 190s and finally the coveted 200 mark. The 200 mark has been some kind of an elusive barrier, with people wondering whether it would ever happen or not. So it is a pioneering record and a great achievement. And it is time for all cricket loving people to savor it,

©2010 Karunesh's Blog. All Rights Reserved.

Humayun's Tomb

Humayun’s Tomb is a splendid monument. It was built by Humayun’s widow, Hamida Banu Begum during the years, 1565-72. Humayun (1508-56) was the second Mughal emperor who ruled during 1530-56. Humayun’s Tomb is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are a lot of other historical monuments in its vicinity. There is Sabz Burj right at the main road. Then, there is Isa Khan Tomb on the right side on the way to Humayun’s Tomb.

BU HALIMA GATE

The cream colored Bu Halima Gate comes just before the entrance to Humayun’s Tomb. This 16th century gate leads to the tomb garden of Bu Halima. Unfortunately, not much is known about Bu Halima.

Bu Halima Gate

ARAB SERAI GATE

The Arab Serai Gate (1560-61) is about 14 meters high and provided housing for craftsmen from Persia, who came for the construction of Humayun’s Tomb.

Arab Serai Gate

Arab Serai Gate Interior

AFSARWALA TOMB

Afsarwala means an “officer”. Afsarwala Tomb (1566) is an Officer’s tomb built during Mughal rule. The mosque is located next to the tomb.

Afsarwala Tomb and Mosque

Afsarwala Tomb, another view

WEST GATE

The West Gate is the main entrance to Humayun’s Tomb. It is 16 meters high. The white dome seen on the top is of the main monument inside.

West Gate to Humayun's Tomb

HUMAYUN’s TOMB

Humayun’s Tomb (1565-72) stands on a platform of size 12,000 square meters and is 47 meters high. It was designed by Persian architect, Mirak Mirza Ghiyath. The Persian influence is evident form the gardens around, use of red sandstone and white marble and the use of double dome with a high neck drum. The brass finial over the white marble dome is itself about 6 meters high.

Humayun's Tomb

Humayun's Tomb, a closer view

CHAR BAGH GARDEN

The Char Bagh Garden,or Four Gardens, are four square shaped gardens with pathways and two bisecting water channels. The gardens create an ambiance of peace and tranquility.

Char Bagh, the garden at Humayun's Tomb

BARBER’S TOMB

Behind Humayuns Tomb, in the south-east corner, is Nai-ka-Gumbad, or Barber’s Tomb (circa 1590). It is said to be the tomb of the barber who worked for the royal family.

Barber's Tomb

NILA GUMBAD

Nila Gumbad, or the Blue Dome, is actually situated outside the Humayun’s Tomb complex. It was built by Abdul Rahim Khan-I-Khana, whose Hindi couplets are known under his familiar name of Rahim.

Nila Gumbad, or Blue Dome

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Isa Khan Tomb

Isa Khan Niyazi was a noble in the court of Sher Shah Suri. Isa Khan Tomb Enclosure is located just outside the Humayun’s Tomb. The Enclosure has his tomb and a mosque, which were built in 1547-48, during his lifetime.

The entrance is through a picturesque gate, symmetrical even though in ruins.

The entrance to Isa Khan Tomb

Isa Khan Tomb Entrance - Interior

The tomb’s layout is octagonal in plan an has striking domes, screens and decorations. It is believed that Isa Khan’s tomb influenced the architecture of Humayun’s Tomb.

Isa Khan Tomb

Just across the tomb is a mosque, known as Isa Khan Mosque.

Mosque at Isa Khan Tomb Enclosure

There are stairs at the tomb, mosque and also along the boundary wall, allowing visitors to go up and get an aerial view of the surroundings.

©2010 Karunesh's Blog. All Rights Reserved.

Sabz Burj, New Delhi

It is a monument that one can not miss because it is located at the busy Mathura Road crossing. Sabz Burj means Green Dome. However, the dome is predominantly blue. Actually, it was green initially, but as a part of restoration work, the dome has become blue. And, for this reason, it is also known as Neeli Chattri. However, the monument is striking and deserves a place of its own.

Not much is known about Sabz Burj. It is said to have been built sometime in the sixteenth century. It is not known who built this monument or whose tomb it is.

Sabz Burj is also important in the sense that it signals the beginning of a group of monuments culminating into the splendid Humayun’s Tomb.

Sabz Burj, a closer view

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