Lodi Gardens Introduction

Nefehoh
3 min readSep 11, 2022

--

Lodi Gardens Introduction

The 90-acre Lodi Garden, which is situated on Lodi Road between Safdurjung’s Tomb and Khan Market in south Delhi, is dotted with stunning monuments and tombs that date back to the Sayyid, Lodi, and Mughal dynasties. With its undulating walking paths and jogging tracks bordered by ancient trees, vibrant shrubs, and flowering plants, the garden’s historical past is proof that the city’s present contains a rich.

On the fringes of New Delhi, in what was then known as the village of Khairpur, stood these tombs, mosques, and other buildings up until 1931. The people of Khairpur were relocated in 1936, and a garden with local and foreign trees and flora was set up around the monuments. After the wife of the British Viceroy at the time, it was then known as Lady Willingdon Park. After India gained its independence, it was more aptly titled Lodi Garden, and prominent architect J.A. Stein, who was also involved with many other structures near the Lodi Garden complex, rebuilt it in 1968. The Delhi State Department of Archaeology and the Archaeological Survey of India both protect many buildings.

History Of Lodhi Gardens

The tomb of Mohammed Shah, a Sayyid Dynasty king of the Delhi Sultanate, was built here in 1444 by his son and the last member of the dynasty, Ala-ud-din Alam Shah. This is when Lodhi Gardens, now known as Lodi Gardens, first appeared. The mausoleum of Sikander Lodi from the Lodi Dynasty, which was constructed in 1517 by his son Ibrahim Lodi, is another noteworthy structure in the vicinity. During the administration of the Sayyids and Lodis, a number of additional buildings were also constructed here. When Emperor Akbar reigned over Delhi, he used the Lodhi Gardens region as an observatory and kept documents in a library constructed specifically for this use.

These tombs’ immediate vicinity eventually transformed into two villages. The peasants were only relocated in 1936, while the British were in charge, in order to repair the garden. The area was manicured and made into a lovely garden by Lady Willingdon, the husband of the Marquess of Willingdon, who was then the Governor General of India. In 1936, the garden received its official inauguration, and it was given the name Lady Willingdon Park to recognise her contributions.

It was renamed Lodhi Gardens in 1947, the year the nation attained independence. American architect Joseph Stein redesigned the garden’s landscaping in 1968 and added a glasshouse to the space.

Lodhi Gardens Layout

Over 90 acres of Lodhi Gardens are home to numerous 15th-century buildings that exhibit breathtaking architectural grandeur. Mohammed Shah’s tomb is built in Islamic and Hindu architectural styles. The tomb is stunningly constructed with eight little chattris, or domed buildings, each with a lotus finial, elaborate corner pinnacles, a massive central dome, and an octagonal chamber.

Mohammed Shah’s tomb serves as an inspiration for Sikander Lodi’s mausoleum. It was constructed in the Indo-Islamic architecture and has an octagonal shape with a central dome but no chattris. The tomb is an enclosed structure with a dome over its entrance, and Mughal architectural motifs are painted on its walls. It is regarded as India’s first enclosed garden mausoleum.

Facts About Lodhi Garden That Are Less Well Known

· There is still use for one of the British-era entrances.

· To stop anyone from cutting down the 100 different species of trees in the gardens, the New Delhi Municipal Council has attached QR codes to each one.

More Related Articles on https://facthouses.com

https://facthouses.com/all-must-know-facts-about-bikaner-before-travelling/

https://facthouses.com/all-must-know-facts-about-jodhpur-before-travelling/

https://facthouses.com/all-must-know-facts-about-jaisalmer-fort-before-travelling/

https://facthouses.com/the-secret-inside-the-patal-bhuvaneshwar/

https://facthouses.com/all-must-know-facts-about-patal-bhuvaneshwar-before-travelling/

https://facthouses.com/all-must-know-facts-about-ranthambore-fort-before-travelling/

--

--