Safdarjung's Tomb and Lodi Gardens, Delhi, India

Hi and welcome. This blog shows photos of two ancient Tomb sites in the heart of Delhi. This first photo is the entrance to Safdarjung's Tomb in New Delhi. Although in a poor state of repair I find this building very beautiful. It was my second visit to this wonderful Tomb. There are more photos from my earlier visit here

When I walked through the entrance I saw a photo shoot was going on. I just had to ask if I could join in!

As you can see I was given permission. An exquisitely beautiful lady and dress

Safdarjung's Tomb is a garden tomb with a marble mausoleum.
Safdar Jung (Hindi: सफदरजंग, Urdu: صفدرجنگ‎) (b. c. 1708 – d. 5 October 1754) was the Subadar Nawab of Oudh (the ruler of the Indian state of Oudh, also known as Awadh) from 19 March 1739 to 5 October 1754

It was built in 1754 in the late Mughal Empire style, and was described as "the last flicker in the lamp of Mughal architecture"

There are four water canals leading to four buildings. One has an ornately decorated gateway while the other three are pavilions, with living quarters built into the walls

The tomb was built for Safdarjung, the powerful prime minister of Muhammad Shah who was the weak Mughal emperor from 1719 to 1748

There is a three-domed mosque within the complex

The Bada Gumbad Tomb in Lodi Gardens

Apparently we don't know who was buried there, probably some high-ranking official in the period of Sikandar Lodi 1489-1517

One of my favourite buildings in Delhi

Anyone who has been to India will know how keen children are to have their photo taken

I arrived at the tomb to find there was a school trip!

These three managed to maintain a classic pose

This lot just appeared in a moment of spontaneous joy!

Looking across to Sheesh Gumbad, another tomb

Sheesh Gumbad means "Glass Dome"because of the glazed blue ceramic tiles on the outside. You can see the remains of a line of them above the door inlay

Beautiful detail

A splash of bright colour

Endless photo opportunities!

The other side of Bada Gumbad

Some historians have suggested that it is the tomb of the first Lodi Sultan, Bahlol Lodi, who died in 1489

A common and beautiful Mughal architectural feature

Proud Mum and Molly. She asked me to take a photo of them both. How could I say no!!!

Qutub Minar & the Qutub Complex, New Delhi

Thanks for coming to see my blog. This posting is dedicated to a stunning set of ancient and medieval ruins called the Qutub complex with the famous Qutub Minar (minaret, tower) as its centrepiece. In the first photo you can see a group of colourful Indians about to enter the complex.

The Qutub Minar is the tallest brick and sandstone Minaret in the world, Construction took nearly 200 years. It was completed in 1386 and is a fine example of Indo-Islamic architecture.

I fell in love with it and could hardly drag myself away. I hope the photos give you a sense of the beauty, history and culture that it evoked for me.

Daniela and I are going to Australia on 1 November for 2 weeks so look out for a new posting after 15 November! I can't wait to take photos in Australia!!

Happy Diwali for Monday 27 October to everyone who celebrates it.

Alan
















A gateway arch on the perimeter of the
ruin complex






















The beautiful and imposing Qutub Minar.
72 meters high and made of red sandstone
















The sandstone creates a warm and inviting
feel to the buildings. Reminds me of some of
the temples I saw in Tamil Nadu
















The elegance of the Hindu pillars is stunning






















Very cute little visitor to the ruins.
I wonder what he thinks of it all.
















Alai Minar, the Victory Tower. This minaret
was meant to be twice the height of the completed
Qutub Minar. It was commenced by Alauddin Khalji
but he died before the first storey was completed
and the project was abandoned
















Tomb of Iltutmish. He was the third
Muslim Turkic sultan of the Sultanate of Delhi
He died in 1236






















The arches that define the boundary of the
courtyard of the Quwwatu'l-Islam. The
pillars have clear Hindu motifs and are
believed to have been taken from the 27
temples of Qila Rai Pithora, the city of the
Rajput King Prithviraj Chauhan.






















The famous iron pillar situated in the courtyard
of the mosque is from the 4th century.
It is thought it was brought to Delhi by Anangpal,
the Tomar king who founded Delhi
















Those gorgeous pillars!
















Alai Darwaza the southern gateway of the
Quwwatu'l-Islam






















Iman Zamin's tomb, Alai Darwaza
and Qutub Minar
















Iman Zamin's tomb. Iman Zamin was a Turkish
holy man called Mohammad Ali. He came to
India during the reign of Sikandar Lodi and
was a revered Iman.






















Mirror, mirror in my hand,
who is the fairest in the land?






















Qutub Minar from the Mughal gardens






















Classic view of the minaret.
Difficult to stop taking photos of it!






















Interior of part of the ruins






















Ancient street
















The Qutub complex
















It was a very hot day!
















I don't know what this is.
It is in the Mughal gardens
















The Hindu pillars in all their elegance
















An entrance to the mosque. You can see the
iron pillar in the courtyard on the right






















Soooooooo cute!
Bye bye from Qutub Minar.