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Safdarjung Tomb
Location : Near Safdarjung Airport, New Delhi
Unravel the mystical Mughal Architecture
Safdarjung's Tomb is an outstanding example of Mughal Architecture.
It represents the last phase of Mughal style of architecture,
Safdarjung's Tomb stands in the centre of beautiful garden. Built in
1753 by Nawab Shuja-ud-Daula to house the remains of his father, who
was a minister in the Mughal court, the tomb is referred to as the "last
flicker in the lamp of Mughal architecture." It shows how the
grace and simplicity of the Mughals had been overtaken by decadence.
The tomb also has a mosque.
An important monument
After the death of Aurangzeb , the only significant structures
raised were the tomb of Safdarjang, who was Prime Minister in Delhi.
The tomb stands on a high terrace surrounded by an extensive walled
garden. It makes a pleasant retreat from the urban bustle. It's
short walk from Lodi Garden.
In the memory of Mirza Abul Mansur Khan
Nawab Shuja-ud-daulah, built the memorial in the memory of his
father Mirza Muqim Abul Mansur Khan, popularly known as Safdarjung
(1739-54). Safdarjung was the governor of the province of Awadh
under Muhammad Shah (1719-48).
The wonderful architecture of Safdarjang's Tomb
The tomb is roughly on the plans of Humayun's tomb, though much
scaled down. It is set in the middle of an extensive garden, which
spreads over an area of over 300-sq-metre. The garden itself is on
the pattern of the Mughal 'Chaharbagh' style. In the center piling
up with effortless arrogance is the massive gateway to the enclosure
which rises to two levels. Inside there is the tomb, the courtyard
and a mosque.
Moti Mahal, Jangli Mahal, Badshah Pasand
On either side are beautiful pavilions known as "Moti Mahal"
or the pearl palace, "Jangli Mahal" or the sylvan palace
and "Badshah Pasand" or the emperor's favorite. The
mausoleum built with red sandstone and buff stone is faced with
marble and stands squarely in the middle of a garden. There are two
graves here, one of Safdarjung and the other presumably his wife's.
The square central chamber of the mausoleum is surrounded by eight
rooms all around. All the apartments, except the corner ones are
rectangular in shape, the corner ones being octagonal. The dome of
the tomb rises from a sixteen-sided base. The tomb has been
criticized for its weakness in proportions hence a lack of balance
in its make-up.
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