Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Saturday, October 17, 2009
ADHAM KHAN'S TOMB, MEHRAULI, NEW DELHI, INDIA
Adham Khan's Tomb tomb lies to the north of the Qutub Minar, Mehrauli, Delhi, built in 1561.
It lies on the walls of Lal Kot and rising from a terrace enclosed by an octagonal wall provided with low towers at the corners. It consists of a domed octagonal chamber in the Lodhi Dynasty style and Sayyid dynasty early in the 14th century. It has a verandah on each side pierced by three openings. It is known popularly as Bul-bulaiyan.
Adham Khan, son of Maham Anga, a wet nurse of Akbar, was a nobleman and general in Akbar's army. In 1561, he fell out with Ataga Khan, Akbar's Prime Minister, and husband of Ji Ji Anga, another wet nurse, and killed him, whereupon he was thrown down from the ramparts of Agra Fort twice, by the order of the emperor Akbar and died .His mother after fortieth day of mourning also passed away out of grief, and both were buried in this tomb believed to be commissioned built by Akbar, in a conspicuous octagonal design, not seen in any Mughal building of that era, a designed perhaps designated to the traitors, as it was common design features visible in the tombs of the previous Sur Dynasty, and also the Lodhi dynasty now within in the present Lodhi Gardens (Delhi), which the Mughals considered traitors.
In 1830s, a British officer named Blake of Bengal Civil Service, converted this tomb into his residential apartment and removed the graves to make way for his dining hall. Though the officer died soon, it continued to be used as a rest house for many years by the British, and at one point even as a police station and a post office. The tomb was vacated and later restored by the orders of Lord Curzon, and the grave of Adham Khan has since been restored to the site, and lies right below the central dome, though that of his mother Maham Anga never was.
Friday, October 16, 2009
'MEHRAULI ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARK', NEW DELHI, INDIA
The Mehrauli Archaeological Park -- located next door to the Qutab complex is -- probably the "best'' conserved part of the city. A successful collaboration between the Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC), the State Department of Archaeology, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), this patch of "green'' has the remains of all the cities of Delhi.
Delhi’s only Archaeological Park, spread out over a sprawling 200 acresin Mehrauli, encompasses over 100 historically significant monuments built over five centuries—from the early 11th century to the late Mughal period. Among its attractions are the Jamali Kamali mosque, Quli Khan’s tomb, Gandhak-ki-baoli, Rajaon-ki-baoli, Madhi Masjid and Balban’s tomb—all within walking distance of each other.
Metcalf's Canopy
One of Metcalf's follies overlooking Jamali Kamali. This part of the archaeological park has been landscaped, though grass is not the most ecological way of doing that
Thursday, October 15, 2009
JAMALI KAMALI MOSQUE AND TOMB, MEHRAULI, NEW DELHI, INDIA
The Jamali Kamali masjid and tomb, which has recently been renovated by INTACH, an autonomous cultural organization. Jamali was the alias of the Sufi saint Shaikh Fazlullah, who was also known as Jalal Khan. The saint had a prodigious life – he lived right through Sikander Lodi's reign, the famous battle of Panipat in 1526, Babur and died during the lifetime of Humayun. Who Kamali was remains a tantalizing mystery.The tomb and mosque bearing their names lie within yards of each other. They were started in Babur's time in about 1528 and finished in Humayun's reign by 1535-36.
Jamali, the poet, who belonged to a Sunni merchant family, was indoctrinated to Sufism by Sheik Samauddin. He was a popular poet who traveled widely around Asia and the Middle East. He became court poet during Lodi Dynasty rule and continued to enjoy the patronage of the Mughal rulers, Babur and his son Humayun; it is said that his tomb was completed during Humayun’s rule. His poetry mirrored Persian mysticism of the times. His two popular works are “The Sun and Moon" and "The Spiritual Journey of the Mystics
The tomb of Jamail Kamali & Maqbara
The tomb lies immediately behind the mosque and is a smallish chamber. Small but not humble. Upon entering it your eye is immediately caught by the richly ornamented ceiling and walls. They are covered with tiles of various hues and patterns in incised and painted plaster. Several verses compose by Jamali are also inscribed on the walls.
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