Safdarjung Tomb Information :

Location : Near Safdarjung Airport,Delhi
Memorial Of : Mirza Muquim Abul Mansur Khan
Area : 300-Sq-Metre
Built In : 1753-54

Safdarjung Tomb in Delhi : 

Safdarjung's 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, the Mughal emperor. Built in 1753-1754, the Safdarjung tomb lies at 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 Safdarjung tomb was erected roughly on the pattern of Humayun's tomb.

Safdarjung's tomb represents the last phase of the Mughal style of architecture. The tomb of Safdarjung was built in red sandstone and buff stone. There are two graves here, one of Safdarjung and the other apparently his wife's. The square central chamber of the mausoleum is surrounded by eight rooms all around. All the apartments, except the corner ones are rectangular in shape, the corner ones being octagonal. The dome of the tomb rises from a sixteen-sided base. On either side of the Safdarjung tomb are beautiful pavilions, known as "Moti Mahal" or the pearl palace, "Jangli Mahal" or the sylvan palace and "Badshah Pasand" or the emperor's favorite.

An important monument :

After the death of Aurangzeb , the only significant structures raised were the tomb of Safdarjang, who was Prime Minister in Delhi. The tomb stands on a high terrace surrounded by an extensive walled garden. It makes a pleasant retreat from the urban bustle. It's short walk from Lodi Garden.

In the memory of Mirza Abul Mansur Khan :

Nawab Shuja-ud-daulah, built the memorial in the memory of his father Mirza Muqim Abul Mansur Khan, popularly known as Safdarjung (1739-54). Safdarjung was the governor of the province of Awadh under Muhammad Shah (1719-48).

The wonderful architecture of Safdarjang's Tomb :

The tomb is roughly on the plans of Humayun's tomb, though much scaled down. It is set in the middle of an extensive garden, which spreads over an area of over 300-sq-metre. The garden itself is on the pattern of the Mughal 'Chaharbagh' style. In the center piling up with effortless arrogance is the massive gateway to the enclosure which rises to two levels. Inside there is the tomb, the courtyard and a mosque.

Moti Mahal, Jangli Mahal, Badshah Pasand :

On either side are beautiful pavilions known as "Moti Mahal" or the pearl palace, "Jangli Mahal" or the sylvan palace and "Badshah Pasand" or the emperor's favorite. The mausoleum built with red sandstone and buff stone is faced with marble and stands squarely in the middle of a garden. There are two graves here, one of Safdarjung and the other presumably his wife's. The square central chamber of the mausoleum is surrounded by eight rooms all around. All the apartments, except the corner ones are rectangular in shape, the corner ones being octagonal. The dome of the tomb rises from a sixteen-sided base. The tomb has been criticized for its weakness in proportions hence a lack of balance in its make-up.

How to reach :

Safdarjung Tomb lies at the Lodi road, New Delhi. To reach there, the nearest airport is the Indira Gandhi International Airport located 23 km southwest of Central Delhi and the domestic terminal at Palam is 5 km away from the international terminal. Taxi and coach transfer is available from both International and Domestic Arrivals.