Information on Sultan Ghari's Tomb (New Delhi) - History & Architecture

Sultan Ghari was the first Islamic burial chamber built in the year of 1231 AD. The tomb was built for Prince Nasiu'd-Din Mahmud, the eldest son Iltutmish. The tomb is built in the funerary of Delhi, Malakur village. Iltutmish was the third Sultan of the slave reign. He ruled in Delhi from 1210 -1236 AD. The Ghari tomb is to be found in the part of the foremost city of Medieval Delhi, which is known as the Slave Dynasty which feints during the period 1206-1290. Conversely the rule of the Mughal emperor lasted from 1526-1857. The last resting place is entrenched in the Ghari. Approached by meandering steep stairs made of stone and is supported by the pillars and the flooring. The Ghari is covered by the unique octagonal roof wedge. The peripheral of the tomb arrangement built in Delhi sand stone with sandstone embellishment exhibits the walled area with bastion on the corner, which imparts the look of stronghold in artistic Persian and Oriental architecture.

Sultan Ghari's Tomb Architecture

The arrangement of the tomb structure is extraordinary. It is in the figure of a bastion with a courtyard like design, not universal among tombs. It is built over a raised platform of definite height in wreckage masonry work. The octagonal figure of the tomb is also distinctive as it is built inside the bastion like external structure with four spot towers, over a Ghari which is in border of the western Qibla partition of the mosque. It is an amalgamation of an overland tomb with towers and an alternative chamber for the crypt.

The octagonal grave cavity with the crypt in an alternative opening is supported on four columns raised with two pillars each that maintain beams, and portray ancient Indian temple remnants both on the columns and on the floor. The covering of the chamber is built in substantial lime-concrete. The western Qibla with mihrab, is made of marble in delicate Turkish and Afgan design. The marble mihrab also has inscriptions from the Quran. The front wall height of this west wall has a marble facade, from Feroze Shah's rule. The entreaty chamber in front of the Qibla depicts a linga.

The complete tomb depicts a tribute or corbel arches construction, which was ordinary in India earlier than the true semicircle design of the Romans was introduced, which are seen in consequent Islamic monuments. Firoz Saha Tuglaq is recognized to have repaired the tomb, which had been considerably damaged. The Chhatri, unconnected structure, opposite to the Sultan Garhi, sons of Iltumish, was also restored during Firuz Shah's reign. Old village carcass encircles the tomb. Old shell of a Tugluq mosque, Jami Masjid and a Khanqah are also to be found on the southern part of the tomb.

It was built of a stone having golden touch and a platform which is 3 meters long. The crypt spreads transversely an area of 23.6 square meters. It is octagonal in figure and is placed in the midpoint of a closed foundation. The courtyard has ramparts on the northern and southern side and colonnade on stonework pillars on the western and eastern sides. There is a vaulted bastion in the corners of the foundation. The colonnades in the western angle is used as a mosque as there is an vicinity made of marble and raised on pillars, which is used for prayers. The corridor is used as the madrasa-a consign for learning.

Sultan Ghari's Tomb History

Iltutmish who feint Delhi since 1210 AD, invaded eastern India in 1225 AD to incarcerate Lakhnauti. However the battled ended in signing of the agreement between Izaz and iltutmish. The ruler compensated a surety of 80 lakh silver currency, 38 elephants, mint and issue of coins in the name of Iltutmish and accommodating the Sultan's suzerainty over the province. Before returning to Delhi, Iltumish alienated the province into Bihar and Lakhnauti, and installed Alauddin masud jani as his feudatory in Lakhnauti. But Jani's direct was short lived as he was overthrown by Iwaz before long after Iltumish's disappearance.

Subsequently, Iltutmish deputed his eldest son prince Nasiru'd-Din Mahmud to clash against Iwaz. In the clash, which took place in the neighborhood of Lakhnauti, Iwaz was overwhelmed and executed in 1227 AD, alongside with his aristocrats. Prince Nasiru'd-Din Mahmud was then prearranged as administrator of Lakhnauti province, combination to his pioneering province of Oudh with Bengal and Bihar, and established his wealth at Lakhnauti. This action of his united with the fact that he was the son of Iltumish superior his prestige in the province. He was given the honorific title of 'Malik-us-Sharq' by Iltutmish. His imperative was short lived, action-packed and he could strengthen his territory. After a ruling of 18 months, Nasiru'd-Din Mahmud was defeted. Incalculably grieved by the passing away of his much loved eldest son, Iltumish built a tomb called the Sultan Ghari in reminiscence of his son, in 1231 AD, close up to the Qutb complex.soon, Iltumish died in 1236 and his tomb can be seen in the Qutb complex. His two further sons, namely Ruknuddin Feroze and Muizzudin Bahram Shah was defeted in 1241 AD, they ruled for diminutive periods. Thereafter their sister Razia Sultan ruled Delhi. Soon after their death they were buried in separate Chittars, subsequently to the Sultan Ghari. One of the two Chhatris is restored while the other has been shattered. Some archaeological conclusion reported by the Archeological Survey of India are the dedication of 1361 footage the excavation of a tank on the circumstance of a marriage, a stone linga and a ramshackle mosque Sultan Sultan Firoz Tughlaq' s moment and a few speckled miscellany of the Mughal period.

Sultan Ghari's Tomb Tourism Significance

The historical tomb which lies 6 kms west of Qutb was built in the year 1231 and owing to its historical importance, huge number of tourist flock the site to relish its historical beauty and splendid architectural phenomenon which displays the blend of Persian and Oriental Structural Designs. One can visit the site by just paying a minimum entry fee of Rs. 5 per head while for citizens of other countries have to pay INR 100 as entry fee.