Tomb of Amir Khusrau, New Delhi.

Amir Khusro(1253-1325) was the chief disciple of Hazrat Nizamuddin, the Sufi Saint, apart from being the courtier to many rulers of Delhi and writer of several works and was also called the Parrot of India.

The Tomb of Amir Khusrau.

The Mazar of Amir Khusrau and the devotees praying.

He had very close relationship with the Sufi Saint and he died within 6 months of the death of the Saint. He was buried in the vicinity of the Saint who had said if laws permitted he would like both of them to be buried in the same grave.

This tomb was later on built during the reign of Emperor Jehangir around 1605-06. It is a beautiful structure with painted ceiling, marble lattices. 

Beautiful jalis or lattices at the tomb.

The interior of the tomb is beautiful.

There is annual Urs for the poet and saint where thousands of people assemble.

Nizamuddin Baoli, New Delhi.

This baoli within the Nizamuddin Dargah Complex is very sacred to the followers of Sufi Saint Nizamuddin. This is about 800 years old and is one of the most prominent baoli in Delhi.

It is said that the Saint wanted a baoli for his followers in the present Nizamuddin Basti and it happened at the time when Delhi Sultan Ghiausdin Tughlaq was constructing his fort at Tughlaqabad. Desirious of speedy completion of his fort he forbade workers from working anywhere except his fort. Devotion to the Saint was so much that workers worked on this baoli in the night. When the Sultan forbade sale of oil to stop night work, a miracle happened through the principal follower of the Saint, namely Chirag-i-Dilli which saw water of the baoli turning as oil for the night work. 

Ever since the baoli is sacred to the followers of the Saint while Tughlaqabad fort was abandoned and is a virtual waste within a few years of its completion.

Isa Khan Tomb, New Delhi.

Since my last visit to the Tomb, lots of work has been done in way of restoration by Aga Khan Trust and recently it has been included as the World Heritage Site.

A tomb of the Sher Shah time, that of a noble in the court of Sher Shah, who built this tomb in his own life time, within the complex of Humayun Tomb Complex, this is one of the most beautiful tomb, octagonal in shape which dates back to the 16th century.

This is one of the most lovely garden tombs in Delhi and is perfectly proportional when seen from the entry point. The adjacent mosque also has been restored and looks fabulous. When inside the tomb look at the ceiling. It is beautiful. The lattice work inside the tomb is simply incredible. The mosque is one of the most beautiful structure of the Sher Shah times.

This tomb complex is within an enclosed wall and now part of the Humayun Tomb World Heritage Complex.

Jamali Kamali Tomb and Mosque.

It took me minimum three attempts to see the interior of Jamali Kamali Tomb, a 16th century structure and once I got a chance to see the interior of the tomb I was simply awe struck. It is so beautiful and so well preserved inside. 

Shaikh Fazlulla, also known as jamal Khan or simply Jamali lived from the time of Sikander Lodhi to that of Sher Shah Suri and this mosque and tomb complex, within the Mehrauli Archaeological Park has features of the mosques of Masjid Moth and Purana Qila mosque and is a fine example of Indo-Islamic architecture.

The tomb, its ceiling and walls are artistically and beautifully decorated and has survived more than 500 years and is one of the best preserved monuments in Delhi. From the complex one can have a wonderful view of the mighty Qutub.

Iltutmish Tomb: Qutub Minar Complex.

It is said that Qutubuddin Aibak commenced the construction of the Qutub Minar and it was left to Iltutmish to complete the most outstanding architecture tower anywhere in the world. It was early time of the Islamic rule and the architects in India had yet to master the art of perfect arches and domes so much prevalent in the Islamic world.

Iltutmish had the right claims to be buried within the Qutub Complex as he contributed significantly in creation and addition of the complex. 

The tomb of Iltutmish is very beautiful. All its walls are so beautifully decorated with Quranic inscriptions and the western wall of the tomb is so beautifully decorated mainly in marble. The real tomb of Iltutmish is deep inside the earth and a passage to the real grave has now been blocked. One can peep into the underground structure to get an idea of the underground grave.

The walls are done in sandstone and marble. It is not clear whether the tomb was without roof from the beginning or the dome created at that time could have fallen off. As domes were not easily made at the beginning of the Islamic rule in India because of lack of expertise by local architects it is likely that the roof created, imperfectly, must have fallen off. 

Overall a beautiful structure which was created around 700 years ago.

Tomb of Alauddin Khilji: Desolate, simple and a reminder that power does not accompany you after death.

Delhi has so many beautiful tombs of lesser mortals than the most powerful ruler of his time namely Alauddin Khilji.

In the entire history of Islamic rule in India Alauddin Khilji was one of the most powerful ruler and he extended his dominion all over the country. His administration was harsh in punishments and he created even Chor Minar to hang the heads of those who were killed as punishment.

He was so ambitious that he wanted to create a tower of the double the size of the Qutub Minar and he even started the work on his project. Today his incomplete Minar in the complex lies in ruins, only one storey of which had been created in his life time. Obviously nobody followed on his work. His creations Alai Darwaza of course is beautiful structure of his time and one of the mosque he built at Nizamuddin also shows his capabilities. 

His tomb at the Qutub complex is one of the simplest tomb anywhere in Delhi and does not do justice to his name and fame and stature. 

When you look at his simple grave you get reminded that life is a great leveller and it is not necessary that your work and power succeed your death. Today he lies totally neglected and it is seen that thousands of visitors who flock to the Qutub complex most of them do not find it worthwhile to even have a look at his tomb.

To me this tomb and the adjacent Alai Madarsa which he created to spread Islamic learning is very important and I spent quite a bit of time there during my last visit. 

The mighty hero of his time virtually lies in utter neglect in the magnificent heritage of Qutub complex.

Gurudwara Bangla Saheb: Guru Harkrishan Singhji, the eigth Guru had lived here at the time of Sawai Jai Singh.

Gurudwaras, besides being places of worship, commemorates important events in the history of Sikh religion. This Gurudwara is at the place where in 1664 the eighth Sikh Guru Shri Harkrishan Singhji at the age of 8 years came and stayed at the invitation of Raja Jai Singh on behalf of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. At that time this place used to be a Bungalow of the King which makes it Gurudwara Bangla Sahib. 

It is said that at the age of 8 when the queen thought of testing the spiritual powers of the Guru she disguised herself as maidservant and the Guru rightly identified her and sat in her lap. 

It is also said that Delhi at that time was going through the epidemic of small pox and the Guru in his immense kindness cured people of their disease by purifying and sanctifying the water of the pond which became the cure of the dreaded disease. Even today people take water from the source and consider it all purifying and health giving.

The Gurudwara is very beautiful. Its inside is gold plated and has huge space for devotees. There is a huge Sarovar in the Gurudwara which add to the beauty of the place.

Its central location and history make it as the most prominent Gurudwara in the city of Delhi. 

Early morning visit on a Sunday was fulfilling, soothing and we could absorb the beauty and spirituality of the place which was so peaceful and serene.