Delhi : Adilabad Fort near Tughlaqabad Fort and Ghiyas Ud Din Tughluq's Tomb

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

The Adilabad Fort is located very near to the Ghiyas Ud Din Tughluq's Tomb and Tughlaqabad Fort on the Mehrauli Badarpur Road. The closest railway station and metro station being Tughlaqabad.

Adilabad Fort in  distance

After visitng Ghiyas Ud Din Tughluq's Tomb, Rohan and I decided to talk to Adilabad Fort, located a couple of kilometers away. Most of the land around was barren and dry. The strong wind made it dusty too. Some children were playing cricket on it on that hot  sunny day. There were very few trees here, they offered shade to the buffaloes grazing on the remaining grass. 

Rampart and Fortification of Adilabad Fort

The fortification looked good even from a distance. It was a hill fort with a rampart led to the entrance of the fort. 

History of Adilabad Fort

Finally we were at the entrance of Adilabad Fort. Fort looked like a twin  to Tughlaqabad Fort. As the stone used to built the walls was the same. Size wise it was much smaller than the Tughlaqabad Fort. 

Bastion of Adilabad Fort

After climbing the rampart, one reached the main entrance. The bastions around it were huge, there were slits in the walls, to attack the enemy. Looking at the size of the rampart, I was sure that elephants used to climb up the fort premises. 

Entrance to Adilabad Fort

No timings are mentioned, so  it should be open from sunrise to sunset and there is no entry fee. 

Ruins in Adilabad Fort

Adilabad Fort was built by Mohammad Bin Tughluq, the son of Ghiyas Ud Din Tughluq, who ruled Delhi between 1325 AD to 1351 AD. The fort is also called Muhammadabad Fort, after him. It was the fourth fort built in Delhi and it was planned on the same lines of Tughlaqabad Fort and built on the southern side of it. It is said that this fort used to  connect to Tughlaqabad Fort via a causeway, the remains of which are still visible.  Since both forts are hill forts, it offered a very good view of the city. 

Fortification of Tughlaqabad Fort

The fort premises, is totally in ruins. There are many structures atop it with arched doors, but no roofs, Maybe the roofs have collapsed over the years. These can be the Palace, rooms of the officials who lived then. 

Ruins within Adilabad Fort

Sadly there were not  much visitors here, in comparison to Red Fort, Humayun Tomb Complex and Qutub Minar Complex. 

That's me

Ghiyas Ud Din Tughluq's Tomb from Adilabad Fort

Next pitstop on your agenda is Sultan Ghari Tomb. 

Delhi : Khan-I-Khanan Tomb near Humayun Tomb Complex

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Khan-I-Khanan Tomb is located very close to Humayun Tomb Complex. It is located on the Rahim Khan Marg which is off the Mathura Road. 

Khan-I-Khanan Tomb

It was built Abdur Rahim Khan-I-Khanan (1556 to 1627 AD). He served both Akbar and Jehangir in his lifetime. He constructed the tomb on his wife's death in 1598. He was later buried there in 1627 AD. For history of the tomb, please refer to the photos. 

Another photo of Khan-I-Khanan Tomb

The tomb has a garden around it, it was made of red sandstone, I found similarities in the design, as it was similar to Humayun Tomb in Humayun Tomb Complex. Except that the latter is more grand than this one. Again it didn't have any visitors apart from Rohan and me. 

Information on Khan-I-Khanan Tomb

The tomb is placed on the first level. The tomb structure is not in very good condition, as portions of it have fallen down over the years, and no effort is taken in maintaining what remains of it, is clearly visible. 

Information on Khan-I-Khanan Tomb

Again entry within it is restricted.

 Khan-I-Khanan Tomb

We sat here for sometime, it was almost dusk now, we then decided to head to India Gate. 

 Khan-I-Khanan Tomb

Delhi : Humayun Tomb in Humayun Tomb Complex

Monday, July 6, 2015

Humayun Tomb is situated in the Humayun Tomb Complex, which is located near Sunder Nursery and Sabz Burj on the Mathura Road, the closest railway station being Hazrat Nizammuddin.

Humayun Tomb

What you see is the restored version of the monument. Just imagine how beautiful the monument might have looked in its glory days.

Humayun Tomb

Emperor Humayun died in the year 1556, His wife Hamida Banu Begam aka Haji Begam, started teh construction of the tomb in 1569. The total cost involved to built the tomb was around 15 lakh rupees. It is called Dormitory of the Mughals as it has more than 100 graves in its premises. 

Graves in the Humayun Tomb premises

Mirak Mirza Ghiyath, a Persian national, was the architect. He planned the tomb in the centre, surrounded by gardens. The grass in it was green in color and neatly trimmed.  There were a couple of trees too, not sure what their names are. 

From the tomb, there are four pathways leading to four monuments in a distance. One of which is the entrance to the tomb. The pathways have small fountains in them. 

Humayun Tomb

The tomb is made of red sandstone and marble. Tiles adore the top of the monument, six cornered stars are placed near the top of the arch doors to the monument. Not sure about its significance.

Interior of Humayun Tomb

It has got four chatri's atop it and has a huge white colored dome with a bronze finial atop it, and two white colored chatri next to the dome. 

Humayun Tomb

The interior of the dome is beautifully carved, tehe pattern is amazing. Below the Tomb are located a series of rooms, which are under lock and key, access ot it is restricted.

Humayun Tomb

Though it was a hot and sunny day, it felt nice to stand here and watch the view around us. 

Delhi : Tomb and Mosque of Isa Khan in Humayun Tomb Complex

Thursday, June 25, 2015

Tomb and Mosque of Isa Khan is situated in the Humayun Tomb Complex, which is located near Sunder Nursery and Sabz Burj on the Mathura Road, the closest railway station being Hazrat Nizammuddin.

Isa Khan Tomb

These monuments were not open to public, when I visited it due to restoration work. But is now open to the public, if you would like to pay it a visit.

The tomb is made of sandstone. The octagonal tomb is surrounded by a octagonal garden around it. Each octagonal side has three carved entrances to it. Above which is placed a chatri. Eight chatri surrounded the dome, in the center.

Isa Khan Mosque

The mosque lies very near to the tomb. Built of grey quartzite, it has red sandstone on the face of it. Colored tile are placed within the red sandstone. Not sure as to when it was built. It has a dome in the center with a chatri on either side. The mosque has a single prayer chamber surrounded by three bays.

Delhi : Nai ka Gumbad aka Barber’s Tomb in Humayun Tomb Complex

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Barbers Tomb aka Nai ka Gumbad is situated in the Humayun Tomb Complex, which is located near Sunder Nursery and Sabz Burj on the Mathura Road, the closest railway station being Hazrat Nizammuddin.

Nai ka Gumbad aka Barber’s Tomb

By know we had seen a few Gumbad in Delhi, but this one was structured differently in comparison to the ones we had seen.

The tomb was built in 1590 to 1591. THis was denoted by an inscription found inside the tomb. 

Not sure as to who is buried here. Nai means Barber in English. Maybe the Barber to the king. A tomb built just for him, ha. Interesting. 

But when we visited it, it was closed for restoration purposes, hence we couldn't see it from the inside. 

Nai ka Gumbad aka Barber’s Tomb

The tomb built on  a podium, was built of red sandstone with a dome in the center which is currently painted white, not sure what the original color was. It as four chatri's next to it, which still has some blue, green and yellow colored tiles on them. Fitted together to form a beautiful pattern. The borders of the dome and the chatri are beautifully carved. Not sure as to which style it belongs too. 

Hoping once the restoration is over, it will add to the beauty of it. 

Delhi : Nila Gumbad in Humayun Tomb Complex

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

The  Nila Gumbad is located in the Humayun Tomb Complex, which is located near Sunder Nursery and Sabj Burj on the Mathura Road, the closest railway station being Hazrat Nizammuddin.

Nila Gumbad

Nila Gumbad means blue dome and is located behind Humayun Tomb and very close to the Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway station.

Rohan tole me that a long time the river Yamuna used to flow next to it. I did find that a bit difficult to believe. Centuries ago, it changed its course due to geographic reasons. Now it is replaced by the railway line. 

It was built in  1625 by Abdur Rahim Khan-i-Khana, a noblesman in Akbar's court.

Not sure as to whose grave lies in its premises.

Nila Gumbad

The dome still has some blue tiles on them. The walls of it are made of stone, blue colored ties in various patterns still adore the walls. Entry inside the dome is restricted and there is a watchman standing outside, but his knowledge in history is zero. 

We then headed off to see Khan-I-Khanan's Tomb which is located on the Mathura Road.

Delhi : Chillah Nizamuddin Aulia in Humayun Tomb Complex

Monday, June 22, 2015

Chillah Nizamuddin Aulia is situated in the Humayun Tomb Complex, which is located near Sunder Nursery and Sabz Burj on the Mathura Road, the closest railway station being Hazrat Nizammuddin.

Hazrat Shaikh Khwaja Syed Muhammad Nizamuddin Auliya also known as Hazrat Nizammuddin was a Sufi saint of the Chishti Order. 

Chillah Nizamuddin Aulia photo taken from en.wikipedia.org

It is believed that he lived, mediated and died here in 1325 AD, He used to perform his chilla-kashi at this place. the Humanyun Tomb Complex came into existence after his death. 

Somehow we missed it, while on our trip, but hoping that you do pay it a visit. 

Delhi : Afsarwala Mosque and Tomb in Humayun Tomb Complex

Friday, June 19, 2015

The  Afsarwala Mosque and Tomb is in the Humayun Tomb Complex, which is located near Sunder Nursery and Sabz Burj on the Mathura Road, the closest railway station being Hazrat Nizammuddin.

Afsarwala Mosque and Tomb

The Afsarwala Mosque and Tomb are located near Humayun Tomb. 

Not sure as to when these were made, but archaeological evidence states that they were made between 1560 and 1567.

The mosque structure is made of red sandstone. It consists of a prayer hall in the middle. It has a dome atop it, entry to the top of the dome via a staircase is restricted. 

Afsarwala Mosque and Tomb

Next to the mosque are located the graves. 

Both the mosque and tomb are built in honour of an afsar or officer, whose identity is not known. Very little is known about the history of this place. 

Delhi : South Gate in Humayan Tomb Complex

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

South Gate is situated in the Humayun Tomb Complex, which is located near Sunder Nursery and Sabz Burj on the Mathura Road, the closest railway station being Hazrat Nizammuddin.

South Gate

Information on South Gate

Main Door to South Gate

It is the royal entrance to the tomb complex. The gateway has walls. The ground floor comprises of series of rooms and the upper floor features a central court. To the west of the gateway is the serai

Delhi : Arab-Sarai in Humayun Tomb Complex

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Arab-Sarai is in the Humayun Tomb Complex, which is located near Sunder Nursery and Sabz Burj on the Mathura Road, the closest railway station being Hazrat Nizammuddin.

Arab-Sarai 

 The Arab Sarai Gate was built in 1560-61 AD.

Historical facts of Arab-Sarai

The 14 metre high gateway led to the walled enclosure which housed the Persian craftsmen who came here to build Humayun's Tomb. The Red Sandstone and White Marble inlay work add a striking touch to the gateway, though it was built by Delhi quartzite stone.

Wooden door at Arab-Sarai

The wooden darwaza at the entrance is huge and worth seeing. Seen plenty of them on forts in Maharashtra. It houses a small chor darwaza, for individual persons to pass by, main darwaza only be be opened during ceremonies. The iron on the door is rusted. 

Rooms for the craftsmen

All that remains are just ruins of rooms where the craftsmen used to stay,  they worked on making of Humayun's Tomb. 

Delhi : Humayun Tomb Complex

Thursday, June 11, 2015

The  Humayun Tomb Complex, is located near Sunder Nursery and Sabz Burj on the Mathura Road, the closest railway station being Hazrat Nizammuddin.

Like Sunder Nursery it is a huge piece of land the houses many beautiful monuments.

Nai ka Gumbad aka Barber’s Tomb 
Humayun's Tomb
Nila Gumbad
Chillah Nizamuddin Aulia
Afsarwala Mosque and Tomb
Tomb and Mosque of Isa Khan
Arab-Sarai
Garden of Bu Halima
South Gate

Humayun Tomb Complex is open from Sunrise to Sunset on all days of the week and charges an entry fee of Rs.10 for Indians and Rs.250 for foreigners. 

Humayun Tomb is also a famous tourist attraction like the Qutub Complex and hence draws alot of tourists to it. 

Other historic sites in and around Delhi are Sunder Nursery, Humayun Tomb Complex, Mehrauli Archaeological Park and Qutub Complex. A must for history lovers.

Delhi : Garden and Tomb of Bu Halima in Humayun Tomb Complex

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Garden and Tomb of Bu Halima is situated in the Humayun Tomb Complex, which is located near Sunder Nursery and Sabz Burj on the Mathura Road, the closest railway station being Hazrat Nizammuddin.

Garden and Tomb of Bu Halima

Once you enter the Humayun Tomb premises and start walking toward Arab Sarai Gate, you will locate this monument with a stone wall behind it, surrounded by greenery. 

Not much information is known about Bu Halima and the garden, but history states that it was built before Arab Sarai.