INTRODUCTION
The place that associates itself with betrayal, It holds the history of murders, and all those dark incidents that once happened. This tomb is situated in the land of Mehrauli, famously known as Adham Khan’s tomb As you walk through it’s halls, you can almost feel the weight of its history, reminding us of the darkest side of the past.
HISTORY
Tracing back to the Mughal era incident when Adham Khan, the foster brother of Akhbar ,murdered Ataga Khan who was Akhbar’s favorite and most trusted general in 1562. In response to this, Akbar immediately ordered his execution, that he would be thrown from a 10m high building. The first fall didn’t kill him and leaving him was not Akhbar’s plan. He was brought up again and again until he turned merely into flesh with crushed bones and nothing else. The news of Adham Khan’s death was spread like a wildfire marking another cruelty done by Akhbar.
Adham Khan’s mother Maham Anga was under the arrest of Akbar, so he took this as a duty to deliver the news of Adham Khan’s death to his mother by himself.
After receiving such news Maham Anga went into silence and this silence ate her from inside. On the 14th day of Adham Khan’s death, his mother Maham Anga also died as she couldn’t hold the trauma of her son’s death.
ABOUT THIS TOMB
Adham Khan’s tomb was built in tribute to both Adham Khan and his mother Maham Anga. After their demise, their bodies were sent to Delhi and were buried under this tomb.
This place was later captured by Britishers, they removed the graves from there and started using this place for their own purpose. They constructed facilities like a post office, police station, and travelers started using this place as a resting point in between of their journeys.
WHY IS IT CALLED AS BHOOL BHULAIYA?
Adham Khan’s tomb got the nickname “Bhool Bhulaiya”, people nowadays have started recognizing this place more by its nickname rather than its real name.
This place was built on the instruction of Akbar and this place is a maze as believed by many.
Local people say that once upon a time a wedding procession was crossing from here and they took a rest at this place. There are two gates at this place facing each other, some guests chose one door while others opted for another one. Those who went inside of it never came back making people believe that these staircases can lead people either to the terrace or to the dead end. There is no such evidence of this story but many people believe this thing is true and nowadays people know this place as Bhool Bhulaiya more than its actual name i.e. Adham Khan’s tomb
ARCHITECTURE
Adham Khan’s tomb got a unique architecture in the Mughal era, this place has an octagonal domed chamber surrounded by arched verandahs which makes this unique because this design was not seen in any Mughal building of that period.
Conclusion
Previously this place which was used as a resting place by visitors, a post office, and even a police station is now protected by the Archaeological Survey of India.
This place is merely a visiting spot for people now. The doors to the main tomb were previously opened for visitors but a few months back because of many cases of harassment registered in nearest police station the doors were constructed at the main entrance of this tomb that prohibit anyone to enter the main hall holding the grave. You can visit this complex anytime and any day, and the nearest metro station to visit this place is Qutub Minar ( yellow line).
This place holds a significance to the dark reality of that era, to all those murders and crimes committed, stories of mysterious staircases leading people to death. This needs to be a must-visit place on your list.
reference: Wikipedia