Lodhi Gardens

Lodhi Gardens is spread over 90 acres.

In the centuries, after the 15th century Sayyid and Lodhi dynasties, two villages grew around the monuments, but the villagers were relocated in 1936 in order to create the gardens. 

During the British rule the garden was landscaped by Lady Willingdon, wife of Governor-General of India, Marquess of Willingdon, and hence the park was named the 'Lady Willingdon Park' upon its inauguration on April 9, 1936.

In 1947 after India's Independence, it was renamed Lodhi Gardens.

In 1968 it was re-landscaped by J A Stein, who also designed the adjacent India International Centre, along with Garrett Eckbo 

The park contains, Mohammed Shah's Tomb, Sikander Lodhi's Tomb, Sheesh Gumbad and Bara Gumbad,architectural works of the 15th century Sayyid and Lodhis.

Tomb of Kale Khan

 Kale Khan was a courtier in the Lodi period during the reign of Bahlol Lodi.


This tomb is dated to 1481 AD as per an inscription on the Mihrab inside the tomb.


It is stated to be the earliest dated tomb of the Lodi period and is behind the south extension 1 market close to the vocational training college for women in south extension1.

Humayun's tomb

Nasir ud-din Muhammad Humayun was the second Mughal Emperor who ruled present day Afghanistan, Pakistan, and parts of northern India from 1530–1540 and again from 1555–1556.

He originally ascended the throne at the age of 22

He was also deeply superstitious, and fascinated by Astrology and the Occult.

Humayun's tomb is a complex of buildings built as the Mughal Emperor Humayun's tomb. It was commissioned by Humayun's wife Hamida Banu Begum in 1562 CE, and designed by Mirak Mirza Ghiyath, a Persian architect.

It was the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent, and is located in Nizamuddin East close to the Dina-panah citadel also known as Purana Qila, that Humayun founded in 1533. 

It was also the first structure to use red sandstone at such a scale.

The complex was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993, and since then has undergone extensive restoration work.

The complex encompasses the main tomb of the Emperor Humayun, which houses the graves of his wife, Hamida Begum, and also Dara Shikoh, son of the later Emperor Shah Jahan, as well as numerous other subsequent Mughals, including Emperor Jahandar Shah, Farrukhsiyar, Rafi Ul-Darjat, Rafi Ud-Daulat and Alamgir II.

The site was chosen on the banks of Yamuna river, due to its proximity to Nizamuddin Dargah, the mausoleum of the celebrated Sufi saint of Delhi, Nizamuddin Auliya, who was much revered by the rulers of Delhi, and whose residence, Chilla Nizamuddin Auliya lies just north-east of the tomb.

Agrasen ki Baoli

Agrasen ki Baoli is a protected monument as designated by Archeological Survey of India .

It is a 60 meter long and 15 meter wide step well on Atul Grove Road (earlier called Hailey Road) near Connaught Place.

There are no known historical records to prove who built Agrasen ki Baoli. It is believed that it was originally built by the legendary king Agrasen and was rebuilt in the 14th century by Agrawal community which traces its origin to Maharaja Agrasen.

Mehrauli Archeological Park:my visit

got up early last sunday and decided to visit this archeological park. i had a vague idea where it was,somewhere on the mehrauli gurgaon road. So we drove down and hit the picnic hut on the MG road.The picnic hut is a park for joggers and for picnics. It is run  by the DDA. This is just off the Andheria Mor traffic light as we come from Gurgaon.

The archeological park is one km+ from this picnic hut on the same side. If one is coming from Badarpur or IIT gate then the archeological park will be on the other side of the road.

As i drove inside i found that the maintenance is as good or as bad as the other monuments. There are no markers, no dustbins and no arrangement for water. You are supposed to just find your way. I am sure this offers an employment opportunity for guides, cleaning supervisors, sketch artists etc.The park beyond is excellently maintained.

The chowkidar drove up in a car and offered us a private tour to jamali kamali mosque which we declined. (I am sure he had some honorarium in his mind.)

I am sure ASI, INTACH, DDA or Delhi governement can take the help of some corporate/s who are so keen to bring media releases about their corporate social responsibilities. Basic amenities can be arranged and revenue can be generated for sustaining these parks.

After all this is our history and those who forget history are condemned to repeat it.

directions to the park

Mehrauli Archeological Park: Metcalf's canopy

Safdarjung tomb:history

directions to safdarjung tombSafdarjung's Tomb is a garden tomb in New Delhi. It was built in 1754.The tomb was built for Safdarjung, the prime minister of Mughal emperor Muhammad Shah (1719 to 1748)


The tomb was built by Nawab Shuja-ud-Daulah, the son of Safdarjung. Safdarjung was the governor of Awadh and later became the Prime Minister of Muhammad Shah. 


Built in 1753-1754, the Safdarjung tomb lies on the Lodi road, New Delhi. Safdarjung's tomb is set in the middle of a garden, which spreads over an area of 300 sq m. The garden of Safdarjung's tomb is laid down on the pattern of the Mughal Charbagh style. 


The tomb was erected roughly on the same pattern as that of the Humayun's tomb. 


directions to safdarjung tomb