Welcome back to another episode of Incredible India. In the previous episode, I talked about the first Garden Tomb in India, the Humayun's Tomb. Whereas in this episode we will get to know about the last Garden Tomb in India, the Safdarjang Tomb.
Safdarjang's Tomb
It is a sandstone and marble mausoleum in Delhi, India. It is the last monumental tomb garden built by the Mughals in India. The construction finished in 1754. It was commissioned by "Shuja-ud-Daulah" as a tribute to his father "Safdarjang", who became the prime minister under Mughal Emporer Mohammad Shah's rule over the country.[source]
Stone plaque placed outside the main gate
Sarfarjung's Tomb front view
Heavy use of arches in the main tomb
How to reach
Located at the junction between Safdarjung Road and Aurobindo Road in New Delhi. There is a nearby airport called the "Safdarjung Airport". You can also take a private cab or auto-rickshaw from the Jor Bagh metro station to reach here. It is well connected to the outside world.
The tomb complex remains open during the daytime every day. Location with proximity to the Humayun's Tomb, tourist doesn't miss this easily.
Architecture and Design
Red sandstone and white marble is heavily used in the main tomb. The complex is enclosed with stone walls on all four sides. There is only one entrance to the east. The tomb encompasses a beautiful garden, a unique sign of the Mughal architecture era. The most famous garden tomb is the Taj Mahal.
Gateway
The entrance to the tomb complex is a two-storied structure located on the eastern side.
Entrance gateway to the monument complex on the eastern side
Stone plaque placed outside the entrance
View of the main tomb from the entrance gateway
Mosque
A three-domed mosque is built within the complex where the prayers were being offered daily.
Mosque in the complex, to the right side of the entrance gate
Main Tomb
The main tomb or just Safdarjung's tomb is a double storied mausoleum. It has very elaborate ornamentation over the plastered surfaces of the roofs and gates.
View of southern façade
Isometric view of the Tomb
Red and orange sandstone with white marble used outside the tomb
Beautifully carved arched gate leading inside the main chamber
View from the raised platform at the main tomb
Floral design on the outside walls (not exactlly the Mughal's style)
A controversial trident shape engraved outside the walls (trident is associated with Hindu God Shiva as his weapon)
Tomb of Safdarjung placed in the center of Mausoleum
Close up view of the central tomb of Safdarjung
Ceiling at the entrance of the tomb.
Interior inside the tomb
Mughal Garden
The Safdarjung tomb is placed as central focus of Persian and Mughal styled Charbagh. Charbagh is a popular Persian style quadrilateral garden layout. It is divided into four segments with walkways and water channels on the four sides.
Garden encompassing the tomb
Trees planted along the walkway on the east side
Mughal garden
High bricks and stone walls surrounds the complex from all sides.
Let me know what are your thoughts about the place. Would you like to visit this place when/if you come to Delhi? Constructive criticism is always appreciated. Thanks for reading.
Namaste 🙏
Stay tuned for more episodes...
Previous Episodes
Ep - #2. Living Root Bridges of Meghalaya
Note:
- All the content is mine unless otherwise stated.
- Photos taken from my phone (excuse the camera quality 😅) and edited using "Snapseed" app.
- Text dividers are from @cryptosharan.
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