The

Dave & Angela

McIllece Family

Home

7 Cities - Week 3

20 February 2008 - Nizamuddin

Chausath Khamba (1623) This is a beautiful building whose name means 64 pillars. This was built by and is the tomb of Mizra Aziz Kokaltash.	More Chausath Khamba	Mirza's tomb Love the detail
It's a boy... Tombs of males all have the raised part on the tomb, women's tombs, which are outside the pavilion, have a depressed area. Hmmmm.	Beautiful "jallis" work Jallis is the carved out stone work so prevalent in the architecture here in India in this time period.	Ghalib's tomb Ghalib (1796-1869) is referred to as the "Urdu Shakespeare", and is much loved for his prolific contributions to the poetry world.
Barah Khamba (15th century) A cool tomb--don't know who lies here.	Goat in a shirt I have no idea why people do this...	Entrance to the Dargah Nice neon-ish sign over the metal detector. If I didn't have a map with me on the first time here, I never would have found this place.
Gold door at entrance	Baoli (1321) See the blog (Mar 08) for the story of this stepwell. It is still considered today to have healing powers, although to look at it you'd think you bring death closer by bathing in it.	The Jammat Khana Mosque built in the 13th century, with an obviously recent paint job
2 Old guys... hanging around the mosque and shrine	Nizamuddin Shrine This is the grave site of the Sufi Saint Nizamuddin Aulia (1325). A plain grave was built here in the 14th century, with more elaborate additions spanning the next several centuries. The marble, veranda and dome were added in the early 1800s.	Veranda details
The actual tomb Only men are allowed inside the tomb structure. You can buy the cloth and flower donations which are lain across his tomb in a sign of devotion. The cloth is donated to the poor women in the community for employment opportunities.	Making a wish... or saying a prayer, however you see it. You tie your "prayer" onto the jallis of the tomb and the Saint Nizamuddin will facilitate the answer your prayer.	Mizra Jahangir Tomb (1832) Yes, that is someone sleeping on the ground behind the tomb.
Amir Khusro (1605) Brilliant poet and devoted friend to Nizamuddin. In my opinion, it is a shame they painted the tomb "fertility" green. It was white only a few years ago.	Khusro's grave	Girl with little brother
Atgah Khan tomb (1566) This is a beautiful tomb with lots of stone inlay work and intricate carved stone and jallis.	Another view	Prayer wall... this mihrab is a prayer wall similar to the prayer niche found inside mosques, but without the building.