Forgotten Monuments of Mehrauli

Its sad that very few know of Delhi's monuments and history that exists in Mehrauli. The whole areas has been taken up on one side by the glitterati-consisting of fashion designers and socialites and on the other by encroaches. Both of them have annexed huge portions of monuments and history to erect shapeless buildings.

Tomb of Adham Khan-The Great General of Akbar. Built by Akbar after Akbar killed him by pushing him from the palace balcony. Adham Khan was accused of a palace murder. Adham Khan was Akbar's wet nurse's son and a man he loved deeply. Adham's death greatly pained Akbar. He had his tomb built here in Mehrauli area for his rememberance

Adham Khan's Tomb in Mehrauli


A goat loiters at Adham Khan's Tomb


Shaft of light inside Adham Khan's Window

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Zafar Mahal was built by Bahadur Shah Zafar -II as his monsoon retreat in 1842. After the First Indian Mutiny Bahadur Shah powers of influence were limited to the Red Fort and its surrounding areas. He came to Zafar Mahal in the monsoons. Poets like Ghalib and many other men of letters and influence would come here to pay him a visit. Today Zafar mahal is a ruin. Its neglected. A place for the locals to play cards. For couples to fornicate. The drunk to lie aimlessly. And for those in the hurry to take a quick leak.

The ruins of Zafar Mahal- Mehrauli


Modern Mehrauli from Zafar Mahal


Inside Zafar Mahal


A woman cooks in a house next of Zafar Mahal


The entrance to the Zafar Mahal


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Moti Masjid-or the Pearl Mosque -was built by emperor Shah Alam in 1709. It is a three domed white marble mosque. The mosque is next to dargah of the Sufi saint Qutubuddin Bakhtiar Kaki. Next to the mosque is a set of graves screened off by a carved filigree of white marble. The graves are of Bahadurshah Zafar's relatives. There is also an empty grave - a vacant rectangular patch of earth. Bahadurshah had wished to be buried here, but after the Revolt of 1857, he was exiled to Burma and died in Rangoon, where he now lies buried.

Dome of Moti Masjid-Mehrauli



The three domed Moti Masjid-Mehrauli


Dargah of the Sufi saint Qutubuddin Bakhtiar Kaki


A tourist takes a snap of Moti Masjid