Safdarjung’s Tomb is a beautiful garden tomb not known to many, including Delhiites. It is located at a walking distance from the Lodi Garden. Built by Nawab ‘Shuja-Ud-Daulah’ as a tribute to his father Mirza Abul Mansur Khan entitled Safdarjung, construction work began in 1753 and was completed in 1754. As the prime Minister of the Mughals during Mohammad Shah’s reign from 1719 to 1748, Safdarjung was a powerful and efficient administrator.
- Safdarjungs Tomb was completed in 1754
- The entrance gate exhibit some fine ornamental paintings
- First glimpse of Safdarjungs Tomb from the entrance
- The Mosque near the entrance gate at Safdarjungs Tomb
- Safdarjung Tomb is one of the last monuments to be constructed in Delhi
- Details of the ceilings inside Safdarjungs Tomb
The main entrance is near a buzzing red light stop. It is difficult to imagine such two contrasting world coming together at one place. The main entrance is huge and exhibits some fine ornamental paintings. This doubled storied gateway has many apartments and is beautiful in its own way. There is also Mosque attached to the gate. A blazing red gulmohar blossoms nearby compliments the red sandstone domes.
The garden is divided into four squares by tanks and side pathways. There has been some major construction work going on for some time now. But lovers often frequent the quieter parts of the garden.
The tomb measures 18.29m and is built with redsandstoneand buffsandstone. The tomb rises from a high platform. The platform has many compartments; one in the centre surrounded by eight apartments around it. The interiors of the main mausoleum exhibit great designs and carvings mostly on marbles and buff sandstones. Unlike most tombs it is in a good state. The marble and red sandstones for this tomb were removed from the tomb of Abdur Rahim Khan-i-khana. Safdarjung’s Tomb has been described as 'the last flicker in the dying lamp of Mughal Architecture of Delhi'. This structure was one of the last monument to be constructed anywhere in Delhi.
