Lodi Gardens, New Delhi, India

Welcome to my blog. I have not done much posting this year, but aim to get back to normal soon. I recently visited Delhi again. Sky was a whitewash but here are some photos of a walk across Lodi Gardens from the Khan Market side, one of my favourite places in Delhi. Grateful to Wikipedia for the information

Walled enclosure of the Sikander Lodi's Tomb

Lodi Gardens (Hindi: लोधी बाग़, Urdu: لودھی باغ) is a park in Delhi, India. Spread over 90 acres (360,000 m²)

It contains Mohammed Shah's Tomb, Sikander Lodi's Tomb, Sheesh Gumbad and Bara Gumbad, architectural works of the 15th century Sayyid and Lodis, a Pashtun dynasty which ruled much of Northern India during the 16th century, and the site is now protected by the Archeological Survey of India (ASI)

The entrance to Sikander Lodi's Tomb

Sweet kiss......

Sikander Lodi's Tomb within its enclosure. It is a fine example of a an octagonal tomb

Sikandar Lodi (died November 21, 1517), born Nizam Khan, was the Sultan of Delhi between 1489 to 1517

Internal detail with the sun reflecting on the wall through one of the openings

Hard to believe you're in Delhi!

In the centuries, after the 15th century Sayyid and Lodi dynasties, two villages grew around the monuments, but the villagers were relocated in 1936 in order to create the gardens. During British Raj, it was landscaped by Lady Willingdon, wife of Governor-General of India, Marquess of Willingdon, and hence named the 'Lady Willingdon Park' upon its inauguration on April 9, 1936. In 1947, after Independence, it was given its present name, Lodi Gardens

Sheesh Gumbad ("Glass dome")

Sheesh Gumbad is so named because of the glazed tiles used in its construction

Sheesh Gumbad and opposite is Bara Gumbad

Sheesh Gumbad contains the remains of an unknown family, this was also built during the reign of Sikander Lodi

Framed

In the middle of the gardens is the Bara Gumbad ("Big Dome"), it consists of a large rubble-construct dome. It is not a tomb but a gateway to an attached a three domed masjid (mosque), both built in 1494 during the reign of Sikander Lodi

Beautifully situated

Detail of the three-domed mosque

Amazing that such a grand tomb was built and we don't know who the family was that it was built for

The tomb of Mohammed Shah, the last of the Sayyid dynasty rulers, the earliest of the tombs in the garden, was built in 1444 by Ala-ud-din Alam Shah as a tribute to Mohammed Shah

Octagonal in shape and circled by beautiful arches

Lines of palm trees.....

......surround the tomb

Qtub Minar next, followed by Fes, Morocco. Hope to see you again!
Alan 

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!!!