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{{short description|Dargah (mausoleum) of the Sufi saint Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2018}}
{{Infobox religious building
| building_name = Nizamuddin
| religious_affiliation = [[Islam]]
| image = Nizamuddin Dargah and Jamaat Khana Masjid, Delhi.jpg
| caption = [[Amir Khusrau]]'s tomb (left), [[Nizamuddin Auliya|Nizamuddin]] Dargah (right) and Jamaat Khana Masjid (background)
| map_type = India Delhi#India
| coordinates = {{coord|28.59136|77.24195|region:IN-DL_type:landmark|display=inline,title|format=dms}}
| map_size =
| map_caption =
| location = Boali Gate Rd, Opp The Lodhi, [[New Delhi]]
| rite =
| district = [[New Delhi]]
| territory = [[Delhi NCR]]
| country = [[India]]
| consecration_year =
| status = [[Dargah]]
| leadership =
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| architect = [[Sunni]]-Al-Jamaat
| architecture_type = [[Dargah]]
| architecture_style = [[Islamic Architecture]]
| established = 1325
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| facade_direction = West
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'''Nizamuddin Dargah''' is the [[dargah]] ([[mausoleum]]) of the [[Sufi]] [[saint]] [[Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya]] (1238–1325 CE). Situated in the [[Nizamuddin West]] area of [[Delhi]], the dargah is visited by thousands of pilgrims every week.<ref>{{Cite web|date=1 April 2020 |title=Nizamuddin Dargah: Who was Nizamuddin Auliya? |location=Delhi |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/who-was-nizamuddin-auliya/articleshow/74924333.cms|access-date=20 July 2020|website=The Times of India}}</ref> The site is also known for its evening ''[[qawwali]]'' devotional music sessions. The descendants of Nizamuddin Auliya look after the whole management of dargah Sharif.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/musicindia/rockstar-music-launch-at-nizamuddin-dargah_96390.html|title='Rockstar' music launch at Nizamuddin Dargah|date=15 September 2011|work=Zee News|access-date=6 April 2018|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/events/delhi/799th-birthday-celebrations-of-Hazrat-Nimazuddin-Auliya-held-recently-at-the-Hazrat-Nizamuddin-Dargah-in-Delhi/articleshow/28510106.cms|title=799th birthday celebrations of Hazrat Nimazuddin Auliya, held recently at the Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah in Delhi | first=Piyali | last=Dasgupta | date=7 January 2014 | newspaper=The Times of India|access-date=13 June 2018}}</ref>

==Architecture==
The tombs of [[Amir Khusrau]], Nizamuddin's disciple, and [[Jehan Ara Begum]], [[Shah Jahan]]'s daughter, are located at the entrance to the complex.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rahman returns to Nizamuddin dargah|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/music/news/Rahman-returns-to-Nizamuddin-dargah/articleshow/15891194.cms|access-date=20 July 2020|first=Suruchi|last=Sharma|date=29 August 2012|website=The Times of India}}</ref> [[Ziauddin Barani]]<ref name="HinduAfternoon15">{{Cite news|last=Srinivasan|first=Sudarshana|date=22 August 2015|title=An afternoon with the saints|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/a-heritage-walk-through-three-chisti-shrines-in-new-delhi/article7568849.ece|access-date=21 July 2020|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> and [[Muhammad Shah]] are also buried here.<ref name="CitizenWalking18">{{Cite web|last=Ali Khawaja|first=Saif|date=5 October 2018|title=Walking Through History to Reach Nizamuddin's Dargah|url=https://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/en/NewsDetail/index/9/15174/Walking-Through-History-to-Reach-Nizamuddins-Dargah|access-date=22 July 2020|website=The Citizen}}</ref> Overall, the dargah complex has more than 70 graves.<ref>{{Cite web|first=Mayank Austen|last=Soofi|author-link=Mayank Austen Soofi|date=30 March 2019|title=Delhiwale: The dargah's grave arithmetic|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/delhiwale-the-dargah-s-grave-arithmetic/story-8TVSbFJS01tfbqYt1SCQcI.html|access-date=23 July 2020|website=Hindustan Times}}</ref>

The complex was renovated and restored by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture around 2010.<ref name="NHBaolis20">{{Cite web|title=Baolis: Water conservation through intermingled traditions and faiths|url=https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/culture/baolis-water-conservation-through-intermingled-traditions-and-faiths|first=Syed|last=Wajid|date=29 March 2020|access-date=23 July 2020|website=National Herald}}</ref>

===Dargah===
[[File:Nezamaldin complex 11-2010 (3).JPG|thumb|left|Nizamuddin's mausoleum]]
Nizamuddin's tomb has a white dome. The main structure was built by [[Muhammad bin Tughluq]] in 1325, following Nizamuddin's death. [[Firuz Shah Tughlaq]] later repaired the structure and suspended four golden cups from the dome's recesses. Khurshid Jah of [[Hyderabad]] gifted the marble [[balustrade]] that surrounds the grave. The present dome was built by Faridun Khan in 1562. The structure underwent many additions over the years.<ref>{{Cite news|date=5 February 2017|title=Celebrating the mystic tradition|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/society/faith/Celebrating-the-mystic-tradition/article17194923.ece|access-date=23 July 2020|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> The dome is about six metres in diameter.<ref>{{Cite web|first=Firoz|last=Bakht Ahmed|date=30 July 2011|title=Legacy of Hazrat Nizamuddin|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/180155/legacy-hazrat-nizamuddin.html|access-date=23 July 2020|website=Deccan Herald}}</ref>

The dargah is surrounded by a marble patio and is covered with intricate ''[[Jali|jalis]]'' ({{trans|[[Trellis (architecture)|trellis walls]]}}).<ref name="CitizenWalking18" /> The dargah complex also has a ''wazookhana'' ({{trans|wash basin}}).<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 August 2001 |title=No new structures at Nizamuddin dargah |location=Delhi |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/No-new-structures-at-Nizamuddin-dargah/articleshow/134613785.cms |access-date=22 July 2020 |website=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=ASI seeks action on illegal construction at Nizamuddin|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/delhi/2019/jun/13/asi-seeks-action-on-illegal-construction-at-nizamuddin-1989670.html|date=13 June 2019|access-date=22 July 2020|website=The New Indian Express}}</ref>

===Jamat Khana Masjid===
[[File:Nizamuddin Dargah Mosque mhirab (3545005499).jpg|thumb|left|Interior of the masjid]]
Next to the dargah is the Jamat Khana Masjid. This mosque is built of red sandstone<ref>{{Cite web |first=Richi |last=Verma |date=19 February 2017 |title=Khilji-era mosque getting a facelift |location=Delhi |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/khilji-era-mosque-getting-a-facelift/articleshow/57227497.cms |access-date=22 July 2020 |website=The Times of India}}</ref> and has three bays. Its stone walls are carved with inscriptions of texts from the [[Quran]]. The mosque has arches that have been embellished with lotus buds, in addition to the facade of its dome having ornamental medallions. The structure was built during the reign of [[Alauddin Khalji]] by his son [[Khizr Khan]]. Completed between 1312 and 1313, Khizr was responsible for the central dome and hall, and was a follower of Nizamuddin. Around 1325, when Muhammad bin Tughlaq took over the reign, he constructed the two adjoining halls, each of which has two domes. The southern hall, ''chhoti masjid'' ({{trans|small mosque}}) is restricted to women and features a wooden door. The large dome of the mosque features a golden bowl that is suspended from the centre.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Restoring an era of pious glory|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/thesundaystandard/2019/jul/21/restoring-an-era-of-pious-glory-2006968.html|first=Parvez|last=Sultan|date=21 July 2019|access-date=23 July 2020|website=The New Indian Express}}</ref>

[[File:Nizamuddin Boali.jpg|thumb|Nizamuddin Boali]]
===Baoli===
At the back entrance of the complex is a ''[[baoli]]'' ({{trans|stepwell}}), commissioned by Nizamuddin himself<ref name="HinduAfternoon15" /> and completed in 1321. It is close to the [[Yamuna]] river and is always filled. People believe that its waters have magical powers and bathe in it.<ref name="NHBaolis20" /> According to legend, [[Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq]] had commissioned the [[Tughlaqabad Fort]] at the same time the baoli was being built. Because he forbade all workers from working on the baoli, they would work on it at night. Upon discovering this, the supply of oil was restricted. The masons then lit their lamps with the water of the baoli, after a blessing.<ref name="HinduAfternoon15" />

[[File:Basant Celebrations at Dargah.jpg|thumb|:Basant Celebrations at Dargah]]

==Location==
The neighborhood surrounding the dargah, Nizamuddin Basti, is named after the saint. The area was initially the site of the settlement of Ghiyaspur, where Nizamuddin lived, and was later named after him.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mamgain|first=Asheesh|date=8 December 2017 |title=Nizamuddin Basti: 700 Years of Living Heritage|url=https://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/en/NewsDetail/index/9/12456/Nizamuddin-Basti--700-Years-of-Living-Heritage|access-date=21 July 2020|website=The Citizen}}</ref> The Basti's population mainly grew after refugees settled here during the [[Partition of India]].<ref name="HTRefugees16">{{Cite web|first=Prerna|last=Lidhoo|date=10 May 2016|title=Once a colony for refugees, now Capital's green heart|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/once-a-colony-for-refugees-now-capital-s-green-heart/story-OPY9j8AY7ArmF0erHVRbvN.html|access-date=22 July 2020|website=Hindustan Times}}</ref> Prior to that, the area was mainly occupied only by the ''pirzade'', the direct descendants of Nizamuddin.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Jeffery|first=Patricia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LlDaAAAAMAAJ|title=Frogs in a Well: Indian Women in Purdah|date=2000|publisher=Manohar|isbn=978-81-7304-300-0|page=10}}</ref>

[[File:market in nizamuddin area.jpg|left|thumb|190px|Market in Nizamuddin area]]
[[File:Sabz Burj in Delhi 03-2016.jpg|150px|thumb|[[Sabz Burj]] on the traffic circle near the dargah]]
The Basti area has small lodges, small eateries and shops selling elements related to Islamic culture, such as religious books, kurtas, skull caps and ''[[ittar]]'' ({{trans|perfumes}}). It also has butcher shops.<ref name="HTSufiCentral20">{{Cite web|first=Adrija|last=Roychowdhury|date=3 April 2020|title=Nizamuddin dargah: Sufi central suffers ripples of Jamaat|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/nizamuddin-dargah-sufi-central-suffers-ripples-of-jamaat/story-4NnomWLvZkxRBFaVzxGwqM.html|access-date=21 July 2020|website=Hindustan Times}}</ref>

The area is divided into two parts along Mathura Road: [[Nizamuddin West]] where the Dargah complex and a lively market dominated by Muslim vendors is located, and [[Nizamuddin East]], where the [[Nizamuddin Railway Station]] is situated.<ref name="HTRefugees16" />

The area has been a hub for cultural activities in Delhi since the 13th century, leading to many building important buildings in close proximity to the area. This includes [[Humayun's Tomb]] and [[Sunder Nursery]], a 16th-century heritage park. The tombs of [[Mirza Ghalib]] and [[Abdul Rahim Khan-I-Khana]] are also located in this area due to its cultural significance.<ref name="HTSufiCentral20" /> The other important monuments in the Nizamuddin heritage area include [[Barakhamba]] and Lal Mahal.

The dargah complex is immediately surrounded by the [[Sabz Burj]] at the intersection of Lodhi Road and Mathura Road, the Urs Mahal (a stage for the ''qawwalis'') and the [[Chausath Khamba]].<ref name="CitizenWalking18" />

==Culture==
[[File:Qawwali hazrat nizamuddin delhi.jpg|Qawwali session at Nizamuddin|thumb|240px|left]]
The area is referred to as the "nerve centre of [[Sufi]] culture in India". On the 17th and 18th day of the Islamic month of [[Rabi' al-awwal]], thousands gather to observe the birth anniversary and ''[[urs]]'' (death anniversary) of the saint. Besides this, thousands also visit on the birth and death anniversaries of [[Amir Khusrau]], Nizamuddin's disciple. Hundreds visit the dargah everyday throughout the year to pray and pay their respects. The dargah has a tradition of ''[[qawwali]]'', especially the one on every Thursday night attracting about 1500 visitors.<ref name="HTSufiCentral20" /> The regular ''qawwalis'' occur every evening after the [[Maghrib prayer]]. The dargah has multiple intergenerational darbari qawwals.<ref>{{Cite web|title=For the qawwals of Nizamuddin Dargah, it's a long wait for a real live performance|url=https://www.theweek.in/leisure/society/2020/06/08/it-is-a-long-wait-for-the-qawwals-of-nizamuddin-dargah.html|first=Sneha|last=Bhura|date=8 June 2020|access-date=21 July 2020|website=The Week}}</ref> Women are traditionally not allowed inside the dargah’s inner sanctum.<ref>{{Cite news|date=11 December 2018|title=Plea seeks entry of women inside Nizamuddin dargah|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/plea-seeks-entry-of-women-inside-nizamuddin-dargah/article25713798.ece|access-date=21 July 2020|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Besides this, the dargah organizes a daily ''[[Langar (Sufism)|langar]]''.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Tankha|first=Madhur|date=5 December 2019|title=Hazrat Nizamuddin basti celebrates diversity|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/art/hazrat-nizamuddin-basti-celebrates-diversity/article30189487.ece|access-date=22 July 2020|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

The evening prayers in which lamps are lit, called the Dua-e-Roshni, is an important ritual. Pilgrims gather around the ''khadim'', the caretaker, who prays for the wishes of all those gathered to be granted.<ref>{{Cite web|first=Mayank Austen|last=Soofi|author-link=Mayank Austen Soofi|date=14 March 2017|title=Discover Delhi: The Hindu connection to Nizamuddin dargah's evening ritual|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/discover-delhi-the-hindu-connection-to-nizamuddin-dargah-s-evening-ritual/story-lY9y4pn4GYt0C09R6pOmSJ.html|access-date=21 July 2020|website=Hindustan Times}}</ref>

Death is celebrated in most Sufi orders. As part of the ''urs'', the dargah complex and the tombs are lit up in the tradition of ''charaghan''. Lakhs of people from different religions come from across the world and recite verses in the tradition of ''fateha''. Plates of rose petals and sweets are offered to the tombs and fragrant ''chaddars'' ({{trans|sheets}}) are draped on them. People tie colourful threads on the jaalis and make vows (''mannat'') to the saints. Each thread symbolizes a wish.<ref>{{Cite web|first=Nawaid|last=Anjum|date=18 June 2020|title=While the world is at pause, the world of the Sufis can never end|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/art-and-culture/urs-sufi-urdu-rekhta-nizami-brothers-6454008/|access-date=21 July 2020|website=The Indian Express}}</ref>

The festival of [[Basant Panchami]] is also celebrated at the dargah. According to legend, Nizamuddin was deeply attached to his nephew, Khwaja Taqiuddin Nuh, who died due to an illness. Nizamuddin grieved over him for a long time. Khusrau, his disciple, wanted to see him smile and dressed up in yellow and began celebrating the onset of Basant, after spotting some women do the same. This caused Auliya to smile, an occasion that is commemorated to this day.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Safvi|first=Rana|date=12 February 2016|title=How Delhi's Hazrat Nizamuddin dargah began celebrating Basant Panchami|url=http://scroll.in/article/702044/how-delhis-hazrat-nizamuddin-dargah-began-celebrating-basant-panchami|access-date=21 July 2020|website=Scroll.in}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Celebrating Basant The Sufi Way At Nizamuddin Dargah|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.in/taimur-shamil/celebrating-basant-the-sufi-way-at-nizamuddin-dargah_a_21706239/|first=Taimur|last=Shamil|date=3 February 2017|access-date=21 July 2020|website=HuffPost India}}</ref>

==In popular culture==
"Arziyan", a ''qawwali'' in the 2009 film ''[[Delhi 6]]'' composed by [[A. R. Rahman]] is dedicated to Nizamuddin Auliya. "Kun Faya Kun", a song in the 2011 movie ''[[Rockstar (2011 film)|Rockstar]]'' and again composed by Rahman, is also shot at the dargah, featuring [[Ranbir Kapoor]] and [[Nizami Bandhu]], the traditional qawwal of the dargah.<ref name="ToIZafarVisit">{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Ali-Zafar-visits-Nizamuddin-Dargah/articleshow/12004488.cms|title=Ali Zafar visits Nizamuddin Dargah|work=The Times of India|first=Piyali|last=Dasgupta|date=24 February 2012|access-date=6 April 2018}}</ref> The dargah has also been featured in movies like ''[[Bajrangi Bhaijaan]]'' featuring [[Salman Khan]] and [[Kareena Kapoor]], and in "Aawan Akhiyan Jawan Akhiyan" a ''qawwali'' in the 2006 film ''[[Ahista Ahista (2006 film)|Ahista Ahista]]'' featuring [[Soha Ali Khan]] and [[Abhay Deol]].<ref>{{Cite web|first=Samira|last=Sood|date=26 February 2016|title=How to experience qawwali at Hazrat Nizamuddin|url=https://www.cntraveller.in/story/how-to-experience-qawwali-at-hazrat-nizamuddin/|access-date=24 July 2020|website=Condé Nast Traveller India}}</ref>

==Management==
The dargah is a property that belongs to the Delhi [[Waqf]] Board. Offerings are collected under the ''baridari'' system through ''pirzadas'', who are the custodians of the Sufi dargahs. This usually comprises descendants of those buried at the dargah. The committee, Anjuman Peerzadan Nizamiyan Khusravi, looks after the dargah.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah: New board to look into 'mishandling of funds'|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/delhi/2018/dec/17/new-board-to-look-into-mishandling-of-funds-1912579.html|date=17 December 2018|access-date=21 July 2020|website=The New Indian Express}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Ajmer Sharif Dargah]]
* [[Shah Jalal Dargah]]
* [[Shrine of Baba Farid]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book |title=The Sufi Courtyard: Dargahs of Delhi |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=13dQsd7D6EsC |first=Sadia |last=Dehlvi |author-link=Sadia Dehlvi |publisher=Harper Collins |year=2012 |isbn=978-9350290958}}
* {{Cite journal|last=Snyder|first=Michael|year=2010|title=Where Delhi Is Still Quite Far: Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya and the Making of the Nizamuddin Basti|url=http://www.columbia.edu/cu/cujsas/Volume%20I/Issue%20II/Michael%20Snyder%20-%20Where%20Delhi.pdf|journal=Columbia Undergraduate Journal of South Asian Studies|volume=I|issue=2}}
* {{Cite journal|last=Zuberi|first=Irfan|title=Art, Artists & Patronage: Qawwali in Hazrat Nizamuddin Basti|url=https://www.academia.edu/10298757|publisher=Aga Khan Trust for Culture|via=academia.edu}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|http://www.nizamuddinaulia.org}}
* {{commons category-inline|Nizamuddin Dargah}}

{{Mosques in India}}
{{Delhi|state=autocollapse}}

[[Category:Dargahs in India]]
[[Category:Mausoleums in Delhi]]
[[Category:Architecture of the Delhi Sultanate]]
[[Category:Mughal architecture]]
[[Category:Islam in Delhi]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Delhi]]
[[Category:Ziyarat]]
[[Category:Archaeological monuments in Delhi]]
[[Category:History of Delhi]]
[[Category:Monuments of National Importance in Delhi]]

Nizamuddin Dargah - Revision history

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