Safdarjung Tomb – It Is The Last Model And Bounded By The Garden Style Of Mughals

SAFDARJUNG TOMB

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NEW DELHI

Safdarjung Tomb is one of the most magnificent tombs of India, situated in the capital city of Delhi. The tomb of Mirza Muqim Abul-Mansur Khan, entitled Safdar-Jang, who was the viceroy of Oudh under Muhammad Shah (1719-48) and later on prime minister under Ahmad Shah (1748-54). The tomb was built in about 1754 by Shuja'u'd-Daula, Safdar Jang's son.

Safdarjang Tomb dates back to the year 1753 and lies at the Lodi Road of New Delhi, near the Safdarjung Airport. Surrounded by blooming gardens, the entire complex of Safdarjung tomb covers an area of approximately 300 sq km.

The tomb is the last example of the pattern which began with Humayun's tomb. Enclosed within a large garden, divided into squares on the charbagh pattern, with tanks and fountains along the central pathway, with a gate on the east and pavilions on the other three sides, the tomb proper stands out in the centre of the enclosure.

The garden of the tomb has been designed as per the Charbagh style of the Mughal gardens. It is also said that tomb of Safdar Jung is built almost on the same pattern as the Humayun's tomb.

Safdarjung tomb has been constructed out of red sandstone and buff stone. Along with Safdarjung, the tomb also houses the remains of his wife.

All the apartments in the Safdarjang Tomb, with the exception of the corner ones, are rectangular in shape.

Red and buff sandstone has been used in its facing, a large proportion of which was stripped off from' Abdu'r-Ral,lim Khan-i-Khanan's tomb. The marble panels on its corner-towers are pleasing but rather florid.

In fact, its exaggerated ornamentation and lack of proportions, evidenced particularly by its vertical elevation, rob it of the character of a great building, although it has been rightly described as 'the last flicker in the lamp of Mughal architecture at Delhi'.

Entrance Fee:

Citizens of India and visitors of SAARC (Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Maldives and Afghanistan) and BIMSTEC Countries (Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Myanmar) - Rs. 15 per head.

Others:

Indian Rs. 200/- per head

(Free entry to children up to 15 years)

Safdarjung’s tomb is on Aurobindo marg, near Safdarjung Airport. One can take the metro to Central Secretariat and then take a bus or an auto.