SAFDARJUNG TOMB Delhi – Looks more like a mini TAJ MAHAL

Safdarjung Tomb was built for Nawab Safdarjung in 1754. It is made of sandstone and marble. It has the Mughal style architecture which has a domed and arched structure of reddish brown and white color. Safdarjung was a rich and powerful ruler at that time.

Visiting Detail

• Location: Air Force Golf Course, Delhi Race Club, Delhi 110021
• Timings: 7.00 am to 6.00 pm
• Best time to visit:
  • During Summer: 4.00 pm to 5.00 pm 
  • During Winter: In morning time
• Closed: Open all 7 days
• Entry fee: Rs.25 for Indians | Rs. 200 for foreigners
• Is Photography allowed: Yes
• Is Guide available: Yes

History

Mirza Muqim Abul Mansur Khan, known as Safdarjung ruled on Awadh as the viceroy of Muhammad Shah. He moved to Delhi after Shah’s death after which he ascended to the throne. In 1748, Safdarjung became the Prime Minister of the Mughal empire and received the title of “Wazir ul-Mamalk-i-Hindustan“.  During that time, his empire was diminishing because he had the command only in North India.

Safdarjung Tomb was constructed in 1754. He seized all the power of the King under his control because the King was involved into wine and women and not committed to his duty. The King was not happy with him and so the King called Marathas to throw him out of Delhi. As a result in 1753, Safdarjung has to leave Delhi.

After Safdarjung’s’ death in 1754, his son Nawab Shuja Ud Daulah built the tomb for his father with the help of Bilal Muhammad Khan. The tomb was designed by the architect from Ethiopia which costed of Rs. 3 lac at that time.

Architecture

It is also known as the Tomb Garden of Mughals which is built like an enclosed garden similar to Humayun’s Tomb. The entry gate of the tomb has 2 storeys and is beautifully ornamented on plastered surfaces coloured in purple. The surface of the tomb has the arabic inscription. There are many rooms and a library in the tomb in the rear side of the entrance. There is a 3 domed structured mosque in the right of the gate.

Walls of the tomb are very high and the main mausoleum is built on the terrace of the tomb. The main mausoleum is built with red and buff stones measuring around 92 feet square. There are 8 partitions including one empty tomb in the middle of the mausoleum. Center of the mausoleum is beautifully decorated with rococo plaster. The main tomb has the 4 towers at the corners. The towers have the marble panels and decorated arches which are now faded. The ceiling of the mosque is decorated and painted.

The mausoleum  has an underground hall where the dead bodies of Safdarjung and his wife had been buried.

The front of the tomb looks more like Taj Mahal. Though the design of the mausoleum was appreciated but was also depreciated. The reason behind its depreciation was the quality of material used in the construction and dearth of proportioning of many units. 

Garden

There is a large square shaped garden surrounding the tomb. The garden is further divided into smaller squares. It has broader footpaths and water tanks. The garden is built in the Mughal Charbagh Garden technique which is very similar to the garden of Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi.

The garden has 4 pavilions with 3 directions. The western direction is known as Jangli Mahal (palace in the forest), northern direction is the Moti Mahal (pearl palace) and southern direction is known as Badshah Pasand (King’s favorite). 

It is said that the Nawab’s family used to stay in the pavilions in the tomb.

Attractions near SAFDARJUNG tomb

• Lodhi garden:  Distance: 1.5km
• Shish Gumbad:  Distance: 1.5km
• Gandhi Smriti:  Distance: 2.3km
• Indira Gandhi Memorial Museum:   Distance: 1.3km