Thursday, June 3, 2010

Tomb of Adham Khan, Mehrauli




















Adham Khan was the foster brother of Emperor Akbar. He was the younger son of Maham Anga, Akbar's wet nurse.

In 1561, the Mughal army led by Adham Khan and Pir Muhammad Khan invaded Malwa. They defeated the army of Baz Bahadur, the Sultan of Malwa in the battle of Sarangpur. 

Adham Khan tried to take possession of Baz Bahadur's mistress Rani Roopmati but she killed herself by consuming poison. 

Adham Khan killed Akbar’s favourite general Shams-ud-Din Muhammad Ataga Khan who was appointed the prime minister.

As a punishment for his crime Adham was thrown down twice from the ramparts of the Agra Fort which was 40 ft (12 m) high from ground level by the royal order and put to death. 

Akbar himself broke this news to Maham Anga.This sudden demise of Adham Khan, made his mother mentally depressed and after forty days she also died.

Akbar built this mausoleum of Adham Khan in Mehrauli, where both Adham Khan and his foster mother Maham Anga were buried. 

This mausoleum, popularly known as Bhul-bhulaiyan, due to a labyrinthine maze inside stands on the ramparts of the Lal Kot, located at the north of the Qutub Minar. Legend is that a marriage party got lost here.It is actually due to the jungle behind and remains of Lal Kot which got this monument this name.

This monument was used by a Britisher as his residence after which it has been used as a police station, post office etc. Lord Curzon got this vacated and restored the tomb.


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