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{{Short description|Sandstone and marble mausoleum in Delhi}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2018}}
{{good article}}
{{Infobox building
| name = Safdarjung Tomb, Delhi
| image = Safdar Jang’s Tomb, Delhi .jpg
| caption = Front view, September 2012
| map_type = India New Delhi
| map_caption = Location within Delhi
| building_type = Tomb
| architectural_style = [[Mughal architecture|Mughal]], [[Indo-Islamic architecture|Indo-Islamic]]
| location = [[New Delhi]], [[India]]
| coordinates = {{coord|28.589266|77.210506|region:IN-DL|display=inline,title}}
| groundbreaking_date =
| start_date =
| completion_date = 1754
| opened_date =
| inauguration_date =
| renovation_date =
| demolition_date =
| destruction_date =
| height =
| architectural =
| architect =
| url =
| embedded =
| references =
}}
'''Safdarjung's tomb''' is a sandstone and marble mausoleum in [[Delhi]], [[India]]. It was built in 1754 in the late [[Mughal architecture|Mughal Empire style]] for Nawab [[Safdarjung]]. The monument has an ambience of spaciousness and an imposing presence with its domed and arched red, brown and white coloured structures. Safdarjung, Nawab of [[Awadh|Oudh]], was made prime minister of the [[Mughal Empire]] (''Wazir ul-Mamlak-i-Hindustan'') when Ahmed Shah Bahadur ascended the throne in 1748.

The tomb, within a garden, is in a late version of the style of earlier Mughal imperial tombs, most famously the [[Taj Mahal]], with inside "eight paradises" (''hasht bihisht'') or eight rooms around the main chamber under the dome, and a garden divided into four parts outside. This was the first time someone outside the immediate imperial Mughal family built themselves such a tomb and garden complex, reflecting the greatly diminished powers of the emperors by this date.<ref>Dadlani, Chanchal, in ''Histories of Ornament: From Global to Local'', ed. Michele Bacci, p. 179-180, 2016, Princeton University Press, ISBN 9780691167282, [https://books.google.com/books?id=9nACCwAAQBAJ google books]</ref>

==Geography==
The tomb is located near the [[Safdarjung Airport]] at the [[T junction]] of [[Lodhi Road]] and [[Aurobindo Marg]] (earlier name [[Mehrauli]] Road) in New Delhi.{{Sfn|Batra|2012|p=12}}

==Background==
[[File: Safdarjung, second Nawab of Awadh, Mughal dynasty. India. early 18th century.jpg|thumb|150px|left|Safdar Jung]]
The structure was constructed in 1754 in the late [[Mughal architecture]] style

Safdarjung Mirza Muqim Abul Mansur Khan, who was popularly known as [[Safdarjung]], who ruled over [[Awadh]] (Oudh) was an independent ruler of Awadh as viceroy of [[Muhammad Shah]]. He was very rich and powerful. With the death of Emperor Muhammad Shah of the Mughal Empire, he moved to Delhi.{{Sfn|Dalrymple|2003|pp=136-138}} When Mohammed Shah Ahmed Shah ascended the throne of the Mughal Empire in Delhi in 1748, Safdarjung was made the Prime Minister ([[Vizier|Vazir]]) of the empire with the title of Vazir ul-Mamalk-i-Hindustan and at that time the empire was on the decline as their rule extended only to North India. {{Sfn|Batra|2012|p=11}}

As Vazir he usurped all powers under his control as the king was only a puppet, a figurehead, who was into enjoying life with wine, opium, and women. But his control over the emperor's family was so cruel that the emperor called the [[Maratha Empire|Marathas]] to rid of their Vazir. The Marathas drove Safdarjung out of Delhi in 1753.{{Sfn|Dalrymple|2003|pp=136-138}}{{Sfn|Batra|2012|p=11}} He died soon thereafter in 1754. After his death, his son [[Shuja-ud-Daula|Nawab Shujaud Daula]] pleaded with the Mughal Emperor to permit him to erect a tomb for his father in Delhi. He then built the tomb, which was designed by an [[Ethiopia|Abyssininan]] architect. {{Sfn|Batra|2012|p=11}}It was built by Bilal Muhammad Khan, at the cost of three lacs of rupees.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.69530/page/n208/mode/1up|title = List of Muhammadan and Hindu Monuments Vol.2|year = 1919}}</ref>

To the south of this tomb is the historic site of the battle that was fought in 1386 between [[Timur|Timur of Mangol]] and [[Muhammad bin Tughluq|Mohammed Tughlaq]] when the latter was defeated.

==Architecture==
{{multiple image
|perrow=2
|total_width=400
|align=right
|image1= Tomb of Safdarjung.jpg
|caption1= Isometric view of the mausoleum
|image2= Three domes.jpg
|caption2= Three-domed mosque within the complex to the right side of the entrance gate
}}
The Safdarjung tomb, the last monumental tomb garden of the Mughals, was planned and built like an enclosed garden tomb in line with the style of the Humayun tomb. It was completed in 1754.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Ultimate BQC Book of Knowledge volume 2|date = 14 October 2012|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GZRweKeLH44C&pg=PA29|access-date=5 August 2013|publisher=Rupa Publications|isbn=978-81-291-2361-9|page=29|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180321153045/https://books.google.com/books?id=GZRweKeLH44C&pg=PA29|archive-date=21 March 2018}}</ref>{{Sfn|Brown|Hutton|2011|p=204}} The slabs from the tomb of Abdul Rahim Khankhana were used in the construction of the tomb.<ref>{{cite news|title=Tomb of neglect|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/tomb-of-neglect/article6040674.ece|work=The Hindu|date=23 May 2014|access-date=9 April 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141206084927/http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/tomb-of-neglect/article6040674.ece|archive-date=6 December 2014|last1=Tankha|first1=Madhur}}</ref>

The tomb has four key features which are: The Char Bagh plan with the mausoleum at the center, a ninefold floor plan, a five-part façade and a large podium with a hidden stairway.{{Sfn|Raezer|Raezer|2011|p=44}}

The main entry gate to the tomb is two-storied and its façade has very elaborate ornamentation over plastered surfaces and is in ornate purple colour. There is an inscription in [[Arabic]] on the surface and its translation reads "When the hero of plain bravery departs from the transitory, may he become a resident of god’s paradise". The rear side of the façade, which is seen after entering through the gate, has many rooms and the library. To the right of the gate is the mosque which is a three-domed structure marked with stripes.{{Sfn|Batra|2012|p=12}}{{Sfn|Dalrymple|2003|pp=136–138}}

{{multiple image
|perrow=2
|total_width=400
|align=right
|image1= Safdar Jang Tomb.jpg
|caption1= A view of the tomb from entrance
|image2= Roof of Safdarjung Tomb.jpg
|caption2= Ceiling at the entrance of the tomb.
}}
Entering through the main gate gives a perfect view of the mausoleum.{{Sfn|Batra|2012|p=12}} Its walls are built high and the central dome, which is the main mausoleum of Safdarjung, is built over a terrace. Red and buff stones are the materials used for building the main mausoleum which measures {{Convert|28|m}} square. The central chamber, square in shape, has eight partitions with a [[cenotaph]] in the middle. Here there are partitions in rectangular shape and the corner partitions are in octagonal shape. The interior of the tomb is covered with [[Rococo|rococo plaster]] with decorations. There are four towers around the main tomb at the corners which are polygonal in shape and are provided with kiosks. They have marble panels which are faded, and decorated arches. There is an underground chamber in the mausoleum which houses the graves of Safadrjung and his wife. The ceiling of the mosque has been plastered, painted and ornamented.{{Sfn|Dalrymple|2003|pp=136-138}}

[[File:Night view of Safdurjung's Tomb.jpg|thumb|250px|View of the tomb illuminated at night]]
The façade, though built in the style of the Taj Mahal, lacks symmetry as the vertical axis has been given prominence which has resulted in an unbalanced appearance to the tomb. The dome is more elongated; the central part has a taller ''[[pishtaq]]''. The four minarets at the four corners are part of the main mausoleum which was totally a different concept in elevation compared to the Taj Mahal where the towers are detached and away from the facade of the tomb.{{Sfn|Raezer|Raezer|2011|p=44}}

The architecture of the tomb is praised and also derided; it is derided for the lack of proportioning of its various units and use of poor material for construction. [[Reginald Heber]], who was Bishop of Calcutta between 1823 and 1826, based on the light brown colour of the stone used, had observed that the tomb has the "colour of potted meat". Even ASI has observed that the marble used for ornamentation in the towers though pleasing is "rather florid".{{Sfn|Batra|2012|p=13}} Another observation is that the tomb can not be compared to the Taj Mahal or the Humayun Tomb, as, at the time it was built, the Mughal Empire was on the decline and sandstone had to be used and lines were set improperly and the quality appeared "thread bare".{{Sfn|Dalrymple|2003|pp=136–138}}

==Garden==
The large square garden surrounding the tomb is surrounded by a wall that is approximately {{convert|280|m|ft}} long on each side.{{Sfn|Batra|2012}} The layout is in the form of four squares with wide footpaths and water tanks, which have been further subdivided into smaller squares. The garden is in the Mughal ''[[charbagh]]'' garden style, and is a smaller version of the garden of the Humayun Tomb which is also built in Delhi. One channel leads to the entrance gate and the other leads to the three pavilions. The main podium over which the mausoleum is built measures {{Convert|50|m}} on each side.{{Sfn|Batra|2012}} The high walls have been built in rubble stone masonry and have recessed arches in the interior. The towers or ''chatris'' are octagonal in shape. Its overall layout consists of four pavilions which have multiple chambers and the entrance gateway to the east is impressive. On the eastern side adjoining the gate are many apartments and a mosque, and a courtyard. The pavilions are laid out in the western, northern and southern directions and are named J''angli Mahal'' (palace in the forest), ''Moti Mahal'' (pearl palace) and ''Badshah Pasand'' (King's favorite) respectively. Nawab's family used to reside in these pavilions. Now the entire monument is under the control of [[Archaeological Survey of India]] (ASI) who have their offices in the pavilions and also a library over the main gate{{Sfn|Batra|2012|pp=11-13}}

==Recent times==
On 21 August 2012, the then Health Minister of India, [[Ghulam Nabi Azad]] offered Eid prayers in a mosque in the complex. However under the law of [[Archaeological Survey of India]] (ASI), "prayers at centrally protected monuments are not allowed unless the practice was prevalent at the time when it was notified as protected" and it is one of the 174 protected monument of ASI in Delhi. Earlier also, Indian vice president [[Hamid Ansari]] "planned to offer Eid prayers" at the tomb but was cancelled at the "eleventh hour".<ref>{{cite web|title=Azad 'breaks' protected monument rule, offers prayers at Safdarjung Tomb|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/newdelhi/azad-breaks-protected-monument-rule-offers-prayers-at-safdarjung-tomb/article1-916762.aspx|publisher=Hindustan Times|access-date=9 April 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150425122954/http://www.hindustantimes.com/newdelhi/azad-breaks-protected-monument-rule-offers-prayers-at-safdarjung-tomb/article1-916762.aspx|archive-date=25 April 2015}}</ref>
[[File:Tomb of Safdarjung, New Delhi.jpg|thumb|Tomb of Safdarjung]]

The tomb has four fountains on each of the four sides. In December 2013, it was reported that a plan was going on for "activating the fountains" as officials believed that they "were in working condition". But "in recent excavation", ASI unearthed a drainage system adjacent to the fountain. The system would "help them restart these". Though there are four fountains, but according to ASI, only one, which is opposite to the main entrance would be made "functional".<ref>{{cite web|title=Fountains of Safdarjung Tomb to run again|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Fountains-of-Safdarjung-Tomb-to-run-again/articleshow/26926053.cms|work=The Times of India|access-date=9 April 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150311025518/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Fountains-of-Safdarjung-Tomb-to-run-again/articleshow/26926053.cms|archive-date=11 March 2015}}</ref>

In June 2014, the ASI shifted their office from the tomb to General Pool Offices near the Indian National Army Colony.<ref>{{cite news|title=Shifting of ASI office from Safdarjung Tomb part of a larger move|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/shifting-of-asi-office-from-safdarjung-tomb-part-of-a-larger-move/article6154212.ece|work=The Hindu|date=27 June 2014|access-date=9 April 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140627162312/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/shifting-of-asi-office-from-safdarjung-tomb-part-of-a-larger-move/article6154212.ece|archive-date=27 June 2014|last1=Vincent|first1=Pheroze L.}}</ref> In November of the same year new visitor boards were installed in the tomb to "promote the lesser known but striking monuments in the city [referring to [[Delhi]]]".<ref>{{cite web|title=Popular monuments to get new visitor boards|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Popular-monuments-to-get-new-visitor-boards/articleshow/45084008.cms|work=The Times of India|access-date=9 April 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141112183831/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Popular-monuments-to-get-new-visitor-boards/articleshow/45084008.cms|archive-date=12 November 2014}}</ref>

The 2013 Hollywood film, [[Jobs (film)|Jobs]], was shot in the tomb.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hollywood films that have been shot in India|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/english/hollywood/news/Hollywood-films-that-have-been-shot-in-India/articleshow/43158043.cms|work=The Times of India|access-date=9 April 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140926070406/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/english/hollywood/news/Hollywood-films-that-have-been-shot-in-India/articleshow/43158043.cms|archive-date=26 September 2014}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Lal Bangla]] in Delhi, another example of later Mughal architecture
*[[Tomb of Asif Khan]] in Lahore

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Safdarjung_tomb_full_building.jpg|Safdarjung's Tomb triangle view
Safdurjung Tomb View From Entrance.jpg|View of Safdarjung's Tomb from Front Entrance
Octagonal_boundary_Safdarjung_tomb.jpg|Octagonal space on the left side of tomb
Minar_Safdarjung_tomb.jpg|Minaret
Ceiling_art_safdarjung_tomb.jpg|Ceiling art
Grave_of_Safdarjung_safdrjung_tomb.jpg|Grave of Safdarjung
Safdarjung_tomb_main_entrance_gate.jpg|Entrance of main building
Safdarjung_tomb_arc.jpg
Safdarjung_tomb_garden_jorvee.jpg|Garden
Safdarjung_tomb_interior.jpg|Interior inside the tomb
File:Tomb of Safdar Jang in Delhi (8).jpg
File:The ceiling of Tomb of Safdar Jang in Delhi (12).jpg|Ceiling art
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
*{{cite book|last=Batra|first=Ravi|title=The Splendour of Lodi Road: My Brush with Heritage|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hHPoLfMOik4C&pg=PR5|date=1 January 2012|publisher=TERI Press|isbn=978-81-7993-446-3}}
*{{cite book|last1=Raezer|first1=David|last2=Raezer|first2=Jennifer|title=Mughal Architecture in India: Guide to Delhi and Agra,Approach Guides|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wrvj0xB_VsoC&pg=PT44|date=5 August 2011|publisher=Approach Guides|isbn=978-1-936614-25-7}}{{Dead link|date=August 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
*{{cite book|last=Vassanji|first=M.G.|title=A Place Within: Rediscovering India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xaPUDCrB4zgC&pg=PA94%7CDATE%3D18|date=18 March 2009|publisher=Doubleday Canada|isbn=978-0-307-37177-5}}
*{{cite book|last1=Brown|first1=Rebecca M.|last2=Hutton|first2=Deborah S.|title=A Companion to Asian Art and Architecture|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=B0zSeyK8afYC&pg=PA204|access-date=5 August 2013|date=27 April 2011|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|isbn=978-1-4443-9632-4}}
*{{cite book|last=Dalrymple|first=William |title=City of Djinns: A Year in Delhi|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GVvUJVmVr8kC&pg=PT137|date=25 March 2003|publisher=Penguin Group US|isbn=978-1-101-12701-8}}

==External links==
{{Commons category-inline|Tomb of Safdarjung}}

{{Delhi landmarks}}

[[Category:Religious buildings and structures completed in 1754]]
[[Category:Medieval India]]
[[Category:Mausoleums in Delhi]]
[[Category:Mughal tombs]]
[[Category:Mughal gardens in India]]
[[Category:Persian gardens in India]]
[[Category:1754 establishments in India]]
[[Category:1754 establishments in the Mughal Empire]]
[[Category:Tombs in Delhi]]
[[Category:Monuments of National Importance in Delhi]]

Tomb of Safdar Jang - Revision history

Ajay Kumar: Created a new article