Nizamuddin Dargah Walk: Delhi is still far

The Dargāh of Nizamuddin Auliya is situated in the midst of Nizamuddin bastīt onwards South Delhi. Beside large number of tombs of saints, royal dignitaries and high nobles, there were baolīs, a mosque called ChinikaBurj (tower of tiles) and several medieval structures erected surrounding this holy shrine. Nizamuddin Auliya(1236-1325) died in 1325 A.D., but his original tomb does not exist any longer.It was repaired and decorated by Firoz Shah Tughlaq, but even the repaired building has disappeared. The present structure was built in 1562-88 by Faridun Khan, further repairs and additions to the complex continued by the devotees. The complex consists of a square chamber surrounded by verandahs, with arch openings, while the roof is a dome placed on an octagonal drum. The areas around the tomb are regarded as sacred, as a result large number of persons including royalty, lie buried here. On the death anniversaries of Hazrat Nizamuddin and Amir Khusraw, an ūrs or fair is held here. Amir Khusrau, alas Abul Hasan, was the chief disciple of Shaikh Nizamuddin. He enjoyed the patronage of several rulers and was also a celebrated saint and poet. After his death he also buried here. Bearing inscriptions of several dates, his tomb lies towards the south, probably erected in 1605-06 during the reign of Jahangir by Tahir Muhammad Imaduddin Hasan. The tomb proper is built of marble and is covered with vaulted roof supported on twelve pillars and crowned externally by a pair of guldastās. Jahanara Begum, the elder daughter of emperor Shahjahan died in 1681 A.D. and buried in this pious place. The unroofed enclosure of perforated marble screen to the south containing the grave of Jahanara. But Jahanara’s open-air tomb chamber is unique in that it is the only one in the Dargāh to have the graves of three women- she is buried alongside Jamalunnisa, a Mughal princes and the latter’s daughter. Her tomb has no roof. It was her own wish, and is inscribed in Persian on a marble slab there. “He is the living, the sustaining; let no one cover my grave except with greenery; for this very grass suffices as a tomb cover for the poor; the annihilated faqir lady Jahanara; disciple of the Lords of Chist; Daughter of Shahjahan the warrior; (may God illuminate his proof)”. As it happens, green vines grow on Jahanara’s grave. When Atagha Khan was killed by Adham Khan, his son Mirza Aziz Kokaltash built a small tomb hereand it was completed in 1566-67. The tomb of Muhammad Shah Rangeela(1719-48) also lies within a small enclosure as well as Mirza Jahangir, the elder son of Akbar II (1806-37). The Jama’atKhana or congregation house lies to the west of Nizamuddin’s tomb.The mosque was built in 1325 by Khizr Khan, the son of Alauddin Khalji. The rectangular red sand stone structure is the oldest buildings in this area. On the other hand, the Chausath Khambaor hall of sixty-four pillars marbled structure is built Mirza Aziz Kokaltash, governor under Akbar. He himself buried here.
Wondering who said the words “Delhi is still far” to by Nizamuddin Auliya? Well Join us and be a part of India City Walks and know more about what made this man the most popular and most revered Sufi saint and what is that one thing that draws us to him even in present days.

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