The city of cities – Delhi has many interesting but very less known ancient monuments tucked away in its nooks & crannies. Najaf Khan’s Tomb is one of them. In my quest to experience the lesser known monuments of my city Delhi, I visited this simple yet nicely preserved monument on a sunshine winter afternoon.

The tomb of Mirza Najaf Khan is located in the residential area of Lodhi Colony, a stone’s throw away from both Safdarjung Tomb and Lodhi Garden. The entry is free and one can visit anytime from sunrise to sunset. The entry gate is partially closed so as to let only people on foot.
Mirza Najaf Khan was a persian Prince & adventurer in the court of Mughal emperor Shah Alam II. He was the highest commander of Mughal army from 1772 till his death. (Source: Wikipedia, INTACH)

The tomb stands in the centre of a garden and stands on a platform. The striking feature of the tomb is that there are no domes, turrets or arches. It consists of a raised platform in sandstone with two inscribed marble cenotaphs on its top. The two cenotaphs are of Najaf Khan and his daugther Fatima (source: ASI). The real graves are within the core of the platform and are not visible. The way to the raised platform is locked at all times presently.

One can walk around the platform, take time out to admire the surrounding garden, the simple work on the raised platform and the different trees that have been planted in the garden (I was quite taken by the variety of trees actually!!)


The Najaf Khan’s Tomb being located right in the middle of a residential area always sees a lot of local crowd (I was told by the locals).

In fact, the day we visited being a sunny winter afternoon, the residents were out in good numbers. So, there were children playing, group of women & kids doing ‘satsang’ and young people strumming guitars, all in the warm winter sun.

Najaf Khan’s Tomb makes for a nice visit, especially in the Delhi winters. While I wouldn’t recommend travelers making a special effort to visit this (especially if they are not into history and heritage), this tomb can be easily included in the itinery if one is planning to visit Safdarjung’s tomb or Humayun’s Tomb.
Delhi does have some really fun places to visit!
Delhi does have some really fun places to visit!
Wow! I never came across this one and you really have made me want to visit. And since i am in Delhi too,I totally can! Great post thank you 🙂
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Swati @ The Creative Bent
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Very interesting post and great shots.
@Ramakrishnan Ramanathan – haha, I think he might be turning more in his tomb if he heard those religious hindu satsang happening at his tomb!!!..rather than the sign board!!!
Najaf Khan will be "turning in his tomb" if he can see the garishly colorful signboard announcing his tomb 🙂
Beautiful clicks!
Regards,
Sindhu
Tantu
The Arts & Me
A lovely looking tomb, well done on your photos.
All the pictures are really very beautiful. Seems like a very nice place.
Indeed a nice place in winter or evenings in general.
Looks like a welcome break after the concrete jungle we live in!
http://www.volatilespirits.com
Indeed a nice place in winter or evenings in general.
Looks like a welcome break after the concrete jungle we live in!
http://www.volatilespirits.com
Indeed a nice place in winter or evenings in general.
Looks like a welcome break after the concrete jungle we live in!
http://www.volatilespirits.com
Nice post and interesting place to visit.
There is something so comforting about these old tombs and all! Always calms me down and makes me sad.
Great place to visit.
an interesting structure.
The park around this tomb does look like a great place to enjoy the outdoors. Thanks for sharing this place with us.
Looks like a beautiful place!
There are so many hidden gems in Delhi, right? And most are well-preserved.
Never heard of this place…will visit this time if I can! 🙂
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Satsang at the tomb.. nice 🙂
Satsang at the tomb.. nice 🙂
an interesting place to see!
It must be nice. Simple yet nice.
Jenny’s Bicycle-Indian Fashion Blog!!
Interesting place. Thanks for sharing this.
http://rajniranjandas.blogspot.in
interesting.
Nice contrast between the levitating child, and the gravity of ages around her.
ALOHA from Honolulu
Comfort Spiral
> < } } ( ° >
it looks like a wonderful place
Wow!! Fantastic post <333333
http://anna-and-klaudia.blogspot.com/