An Architectural Marvel: Safdarjung Tomb

Delhi is a vibrant city with a rich history that is seen today via its spectacular architecture and landmarks. While people usually do not miss the prominent ones like Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb or Red Fort, they often fail to take notice the lesser-known structures which too played an important role in shaping the capital’s history. One such architectural wonder is the Safdarjung Tomb. The magnificence of the Mughal era is reflected in this historical structure.

Safdarjung Tomb; Pictures clicked by Adrita

Representing the last phase of the Mughal style of architecture, Safdarjung Tomb also referred as ‘Safdarjung ka Maqbara’ is a garden tomb in New Delhi, India.

It was built of red sandstone and buff stone as the mausoleum of Safdarjung, a statesman who served as the Wazir ul-Hindustan (India's Prime Minister) during Ahmad Shah Bahadur's reign. It was built by his son, Shauja-ud-Daula, the Nawab of Awadh, in 1754 to house the remains of his father.

With its domed and arched red-brown and white coloured structures, the Safdarjung Tomb exudes a sense of grandeur and is often referred to as the “last flicker in the lamp of Mughal architecture”.

It was designed by an Ethiopian architect and has four key features: The Char Bagh plan with the mausoleum at the center, a ninefold floor plan, a five-part façade, and a large podium with a hidden stairway.

It was built with slabs taken from Abdul Rahim Khankhana's mausoleum. The mausoleum's two-story main entry gate provides a superb perspective of the monument. Intricate decorations are produced on its façade, the back side of which holds multiple rooms and a library.

"When the hero of plain bravery goes from the transitory, may he become a resident of god's paradise," reads a translated version of an Arabic inscription inscribed on its surface. Its square-shaped central room includes an octagonal cenotaph in the centre and eight partitions. In the mausoleum's ornate interior, Rococo plaster is used.

Inside the tomb, the rubble walls have a number of depressed arches as well as octagonal-shaped 'Chattris' or towers on each of the four corners. The tomb's rooms are mostly rectangular, with the corner chambers being octagonal in design. At each corner of the main tomb are four polygonal towers with kiosks. The monument's basement chamber has the actual graves or burial chambers of Safadrjung and his wife Amat Jahan Begum.

The tomb's massive garden, designed in the Mughals' traditional charbagh garden style, is divided into four squares with footpaths and water canals surrounding them. Each square is further divided into four smaller gardens. One of the water canals leads to an elegantly painted gateway, while the other leads to three pavilions: the Jangli Mahal, or 'Palace in the Woods,' the Badshah Pasand, or 'The Emperor's Favourite,' and the Moti Mahal, or 'Pearl Palace.'

A close-up view of Safdarjung; Pictures clicked by Adrita

Tomb of Safdarjung; Pictures clicked by Adrita

These pavilions, which according to historical records were formerly used as residences by the Safdarjung family, now serve as the headquarters of the 'Archaeological Survey of India' (ASI). The ASI is currently in charge of the entire mausoleum, as well as the library located above the main gate.

The Safdarjung tomb is a testament to the city's splendour and provides a fascinating glimpse into Delhi's illustrious history. The chilly, dry season is the finest time to visit the tomb while between November and March, one can go sightseeing at any time. It is one of the finest monuments of the eighteenth century and is really worth visiting.