| Chausath Khamba | |
|---|---|
|
Front view of Chausath Khamba |
|
| Basic information | |
| Location | New Delhi, India |
| Affiliation | Islam |
| Province | Delhi |
| Territory | Delhi |
| District | New Delhi |
| Year consecrated | 1624 |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Tomb |
| Leadership | Jahangir |
| Architectural description | |
| Architect(s) | Khokha Khani-i-Azam |
| Architectural type | Tomb |
| Architectural style | Mughal architecture |
| Direction of façade | Open on four sides |
| Completed | 1623 |
| Specifications | |
| Dome(s) | 25 |
| Materials | Marble |
Chausath Khamba, also spelt Chaunsath Khamba (Hindi: चौंसठ खम्बा), is a tomb built during 1623–24. It is located in Nizamuddin precincts (a heritage zone) of Sufi Muslim shrines and tombs in New Delhi, India. The name means "64 pillars" in Urdu and Hindi. It was built by Mirza Aziz Koka, son of Ataga Khan, as a mausoleum for himself, at the time when Mughal Emperor Jahangir ruled from Delhi. Mirza Aziz Koka had served several times as Jahangir’s Governor of Gujarat before his died in Gujarat. Ataga Khan was Prime Minister of Emperor Akbar.[1][2][3]
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Chausath Khamba monument was initially built as a hall in an innovative eclectic architectural style of the Mughal period. It was later converted into a tomb. It is a square structure constructed entirely of white marble. The structure (pictured with facades) has 64 columns that support twenty five bays. Each bay supports a dome. The domes are not visible externally since they are reverse domes (picture). The roof is flat. Each wall has five arches that are held by square pilasters. In each face, between each of five pilasters, marble trellised screens have been fixed.[2][4]
According to inscriptions, the structure houses the tomb of Mirza Aziz Koka (also named Kotaltash). The tomb of his father, Ataga Khan, the Prime Minister of Akbar, is also in the vicinity. In addition, there are several other unidentified tombs inside this monument.[1][5] It is considered the family shrine of Atgah Khan.[6] The structure is enclosed and has an imposing entrance gate. The Ghalib tomb is located adjoining this structure on the northern side.[3] Comparison is drawn to a similar tomb built in marble in Sarkej in Gujarat where Mirza Aziz Koka served several times as Jahangir’s Governor of Gujarat. He died in Sarkej and was temporarily buried there. His remains were later shifted to Chausath Khamba.[2]
The Chausath Khamba is located in the busy 14th century market area of Hazrat Nizamuddin Basti (a predominantly Muslim village). The shrine of the Sufi saint Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya (1236 AD – 1325 AD) is nearby.[7] The monument is part of the Nizamuddin religious complex and has been declared a heritage building. It is categorized under Zone D in New Delhi (one of the six zones of Delhi declared for Conservation and Heritage Management). The location is marked in the satellite plan vis-à-vis the other monuments in the complex.[8][9]
The Minister in charge of Tourism and Culture has announced that out of 174 monuments or sites in Delhi declared as of national importance, 46 are identified for restoration and 13 for illumination.[10][11] As a part of the urban renewal programme in the historic precinct of Humayun's Tomb - Sunder Nursery - Nizamuddin Basti, the Aga khan Trust for Culture has initiated a unique public-private partnership project which will unify the three zones into an urban conservation area of a considerable breadth and cultural significance while improving the quality of life for resident population. The forecourt of Chaunsath Khamba and Urs Mahal was recently landscape by the Trust. Also the successful Sufi qawwali music of Jashn-E-Khusrau in which performers from India and Pakistan performed was held here in March 2010.[9]
There are two other structures adjoining the Chausath Khamba, which are also heritage monuments.
Located in front of the Chausath Khamba, URS Mahal is an assembly hall (pictured in the gallery) where Khawwali programmes are held on festival days and on the days during “Urs of sufi saint Nizamuddin Auliya”. It is a protected monument (refurbished in 2003).[12][13]
Mirza Ghalib's tomb is a small tomb of famous Urdu poet Mirza Ghalib (1797–1869), who was renowned in Urdu and Persian poetry during the Mughal period. It is a protected monument. The tomb is a work of art located north of the enclosure of the Chausath Khamba. Adjoining Ghalib's tomb, the Ghalib Academy has been established. The academy has a library of Urdu literature. It also houses a museum that displays a sizable collection of rocks, paintings and works of Mirza Ghalib.[14]