Location: - The tomb of Safdarjung is located in the lutyens New Delhi and you can easily include it in your Delhi Tour Itinerary This area of Delhi is very posh and VIP, just near is the Lodhi road junction. The road in front of the monument is a very famous road Aurobindo marg.
History of Safdarjung Tomb: - This is the last tomb from the legacy of mughal clan, Though the person buried in the tomb of Safdarjung is not related with Mughals, The Mirza Muqin Abuh Mansar Khan was conferred with the title of Safdarjung (prime minister) Mughal king Mohamed shah made the Nawab his Vajeer. The nawaab in due time became more powerful then the Mughal king, finally the mughal king connived with the Marathas to oust the Safdarjung from Delhi. After being ousted the Nawab died in year 1754. His son pleaded before the mughals to make a memorial for his father. The mughals allowed him and thus the mausoleum Safdarjung tomb came into existence. Son Shujauddaula was a powerful Nawab of Oudh.
Architecture of Safdarjung Tomb: - The mausoleum is made in the Char Bagh pattern , the main entrance is from the eastern side, the main gate is a two storied structure with white lime and mortar plaster. The inner area is divided in to four quarters separated by water channels. The water channels have fountains which are now not operational. At the centre of the garden is situated the tomb of Safdarjung, built almost entirely in red sand stone this tomb has striking similarities with Humayun’s tomb and the royal gate of Taj Mahal. On an elevated plinth similar to the Humayun’s tomb rises the monument very similar to the royal gate of Taj Mahal, the four corners have identical four facets, The royal gate of Taj Mahal design has been further supplemented with a dome and polygonal minarets on four corners. The central arches are multi cusped with small cupolas similar to the royal gate of Taj Mahal on the top the cupolas have small lotus shaped minarets at extreme end. The dome is small with white texture. The inside cenotaph chamber opens in to all four directions, The solitary grave is as per the Islamic traditions with head towards north and legs towards south, the dead were laid in the grave with face towards west (Mecca), The grave is made in white marble. Apart from the cenotaph chamber the mausoleum has four discrete chambers in four corners coupled with four chambers in the entrance making a total of eight chambers circumambulating the grave chamber. The three gates on the other three sides are not as influential as the eastern one.
On the eastern gate just adjacent towards right hand side is a small mosque with three domes having marble stripes. This is also an interesting and beautiful structure.
Nearest Metro station: - The nearest metro station is the Jor Bagh metro station which falls on the yellow line of the metro network.
