Lodhi garden is situated beside India International
Center that is just 3 kms from Humayun's Tomb. And, Lodhi garden has been one
among the historical gardens of Delhi. Also, the tombs of the rulers- Sayyid
and Lodhi are found in this garden.
During the period of 15th and 16th
centuries, rulers called Sayyid and Lodhi rulers have installed this Lodhi
garden. This garden was cared very well; and even, some historical monuments,
were added and thus, became a great tourist attraction. In the year 1968, this
garden has been re-organised by JA Stein and Garrett Eckbo, which got the
current shape.
If you travel to the Lodhi garden, then you will
also have to visit the tombs of Muhammad Shah, a must-see place.
There are two architectures called Bara Gumbad and
Sheesh Gumbad, which are located at the center of Lodhi Garden in Delhi. The
Bara Gumbad is the old architecture that resembles a large rubber construct
dome, a three dome shaped mosque and a residence around a central courtyard
with water tank; while, the Sheesh Gumbad lies in a diametrical order of the
Bara Gumbad architecture, contains the remains of an unknown family.
Lodhi Garden is such an amazing and beautiful place
that, you will hear the history of it in the air itself. Currently, it is found
to be one among the best jogger's park in Delhi; where you can find a huge
diversity of people jogging in Lodhi Garden, early morning. While, you will
also see some fitness freaks practicing yoga, and meditation at this fresh
green beautiful atmosphere.
History
The tomb of Mohammed Shah, the 3rdand
last of the Sayyid dynasty rulers, is the first or initial tomb among all the
other tombs in the garden, and was constructed in the year 1444 by Ala-ud-din
Alam Shah to spread the glory of Mohammed Shah.
As there are a very few architectures during these
two periods that have been located in India, Lodi Gardens is the most important
place that has been preserved. The earliest structure of the tomb of Mohammed
Shah can be seen by the side of the road, in the Lodhi Gardens. The
architecture is qualified by an octagonal chamber, with stone chhajjas on the
architectural roof and guldastas at the corners.
Another tomb without the chhatris, is found within
the gardens and has been built for the Sikander Lodi, that looks similar to
Mohammed Shah's tomb. This tomb was built by his son Ibrahim Lodi in the year
1517, the last Sultan of Delhi from Lodi dynasty, who was defeated by Babur, in
the first battle of Panipat in 1526; this became the foundation of the Mughal
Empire. His tomb is often mistaken to be the Sheesh Gumbad that is located near
the Tehsil office in Panipat, nearby the Dargah of Sufi saint Bu Ali Shah
Qalandar. It is a kind of mere rectangular structure that lies on a high
platform which went up by a flight of steps. Sikander Lodi’s Sheesh Gumbad tomb
was then resituated by the British, with a letter of note about Ibrahim Lodi's
defeat by Babur, and about the renovation done in the year 1866.
Under the Mughals, major refurbishments are often
performed, depending upon the type of occasions Mughals want to use the gardens
for; while, Akbar used this garden to keep all his records in a purposely built
library.
After the 15th century, these Sayyid and Lodi
dynasties were surrounded by two villages, but other villages relocated later
in the year 1936 to create the gardens. During the British Raj, these
villages had landscaped by the wife of Governor-General of India called Lady Willingdon;
and hence, named the 'Lady Willingdon Park' during the inauguration on 9th
April, 1936, and 1947. After the Independence, the garden was later renamed as
Lodi Gardens.
A British-period gateway is still being used as an
entrance that once welcomed visitors to 'Lady Willingdon Park'.
Since the year 2005, INTACH and Archeological
Survey of India (ASI) conducted heritage walks for students and public within
the park, and has become a favourite place for morning walkers and yoga
enthusiasts. The park has also become a popular picnic-spot for the Delhi
residents. INTACH has published a small booklet, which contains information
about park's history, the monuments, birds and trees within the complex. In the
year 2009, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had awarded the reconstruction
or reestablishment project of five monuments in the same garden; and also, the
INTACH Delhi Chapter, that start from the tomb- Bara Gumbad, Shish Gumbad and
Mohammed Shah's Tomb, after the report preservation for the landscapes, that
had been completed during the year 2007. The MoU of 1 crore rupee, project,
which was funded by the Steel Authority of India Ltd. (SAIL), was signed in the
year 2005, initiating the action of preservation, which includes the
construction work that began in 2009.
Architecture
Bara Gumbad ("Big Dome"), located in the
middle of the gardens, contains large rubble-construct dome, which is a gateway
to a chain of three domed mosque. Both these domes were built in 1494 during
the rule of Sikander Lodi. A hall or mansion can also be seen around the
central courtyard, where the residue of water tank is found. Opposite of the
Bara Gumbad, is the Sheesh Gumbad ("Glass dome") for the shiny tiles
utilized in the building, which contains the history of an unknown family.
Even, this residence was also constructed during the rule of Sikander Lodi.
Garden is usually filled with the remains of a
watercourse, which is linked to the Yamuna River through the Sikander Lodi's
tomb, which still contains the battlements confining it. Close to the
Sikander's tomb, is the Athpula ("the Eight Piered") Bridge, the last
building among various buildings in Delhi, constructed during the rule of
Mughal Emperor Akbar. The tomb has seven arches, of which the central tomb is
found to be the largest. The tomb of Mohammed Shah is the initial tomb among
many tombs located in the garden, which was built in the year 1444 by
Ala-ud-din Alam Shah representing Mohammed Shah.
As there are very little architecture that have
remained in India, since two periods, and the tomb of Mohammed shah is one
among them. Lodi Gardens is an extravagant place of preservation, where the
tomb of Mohammed Shah, is visible from the road, and is found to be the basic
structure in the gardens. The architecture is characterised by the octagonal
chamber, with stone chhajjas on the roof and guldastas at the corners.
