Adam Khan’s Tomb, Mehrauli Bus Stop, Delhi

Adam Khan’s Tomb

Mehrauli Bus Stop, Delhi

Also see: Monuments of Mehrauli

Adam Khan’s Tomb is located in the Mehrauli region of South Delhi and overlooks the crowded Mehrauli Bus Terminus.

Adam Khan’s Tomb, Memhrauli, Delhi

Adam Khan’s tomb, with its massive dome, is popularly known as the Bhul Bhuila (labyrinth) for its complex network of corridors.

Adam Khan’s Tomb towers above the Mehrauli Bus Terminus in South Delhi

Adam Khan was a general in Akbar’s army and son of his wet nurse Maham Anga, who was often considered as the foster mother of Akbar.

Decorations, Adam Khan’s Tomb

Adam Khan was notorious for his barbaric cruelty on defeated soldiers and subjects, even women and children were not spared.

In 1561 Adam Khan led the Mughal army against the Sultan of Malwa, Baz Bahadur. The two forces locked horns at the battle of Sarangpur.

Baz Bhadur was no match for the mighty Mughal army and was soon defeated, inhumane plunder and tortured followed as women were raped and children massacred.

Adam Khan was prompted to conquer Malwa because of the beauty of Rani Roopmati, Baz Bahadur’s favorite wife and well known singer. Although Adam Khan took possession of Baz Bhadur’s harem but Roopmati committed suicide by consuming poison.

Adam Khan’s Tomb (L: Arches leading inside the tomb, M: Interiors of the tomb, R: Labyrinth of Passageways)

Akbar was not happy with Adam Khan’s behavior and himself marched to Sarangpur, where Adam Khan surrendered. He was later recalled from Malwa.

In 1561 Ataga Khan was appointed Wakil (Prime Minister) by Akbar, much to the displeasure of Adam Khan and her mother Maham Anga. Ataga Khan, the husband of Akbar’s another wet nurse Jiji Anga, was murdered by Adam Khan.

Fresco Work at Adam Khan’s Tomb

Akabar was furious with Adam Khan and ordered him to be thrown from the rampant of Agra Fort. Strangely Adam Khan survived the fall of 12 meters, probably with some broken bones, so Akbar ordered him to be thrown again and this time Adam Khan was not so lucky.

Mahan Anga died four days later and both the bodies of mother and son were transfered to Delhi and strangely Akbar commissioned a grand tomb for him. Strangely just like Adam Khan’s life the tomb also had its share of ups and downs. In 1830 a British officer Blake, of Bengal Civil Service, converted the Tomb of Adam Khan into a pleasure house and had his grave removed. Very similar to the Quli Kahn’s Tomb which was converted into a pleasure house by Thomas Metcalfe. Later on Lord Curzon had the tomb restored and the grave replaced.

Adam Khan’s Tomb, Mehrauli, Delhi

Today the massive octagonal Tomb of Adam Khan’s overlooks the crowded streets of Mehruli in South Delhi.

Although the frescoes have long faded away but it still looks impressive.

It consists of an octagonal domed chamber in Lodhi style. The corners are marked with low towers.

Varandahs run along round with triple arched openings, on each of the eight sides.

It is commonly known as Bhul Bhulia (labyrinth) as visitors are said to lose their way amidst the several passageways and the thick ways, something very hard to believe.

The walls, both exterior and interior, have a handful of floral motifs and the lone fresco, on the inside of the dome, have almost faded away. The interiors still serves as a sleeping place for the homeless.

In spite of all odds Adam Khan’s Tomb still dominates the crowded and chaotic Mehurali surrounding and is a must visit for tourist looking beyond the conventional tourist spots of Delhi.

Special Thanks: A special thanks to fellow blogger Sahil Ahuja, for accompanying me to Adam Khan’s Tomb and also for guiding me to the lesser known monuments of Mehrauli.

Afghan War Memorial, Dum Dum, Kolkata (Calcutta)

Afghan War Memorial

Dum Dum, Kolkata (Calcutta)

Afghan War Memorial, Dum Dum, Kolkata (Calcutta)

It may sound unusual that a road in Dum Dum, north of Kolkata (Calcutta), is known as the Monument Road and whats more unusual, is that it does have a monument at it side.

The monument is shaped like a white tower and has some resemblance with the Saheed Minar (Octernoly Monument), which is located at the North – Eastern corner of Kolkata Maidan.

It is located next to the entrance of the Dum Dum Ordinance Factory and is dedicated to the fallen British soldiers of the First Anglo – Afghan War (1839 – 42).

The towering Afghan War Memorial was constructed in 1842 and predates the Dum Dum Ordinance Factory. The Dum Dum Ordinance Factory was set up in 1846, following the defeat of the British in the Afghan War, when the British East India Company decided to set up the first ammunition factory in India.

According to locals the dhum dhum sound of the the testing guns gave Dum Dum its name, but historians differ as the reference of the name Dum Dum can be found far beyond the days of the Dum Dum Ordinance Factory.

Flea Market, Britanski trg (British Square), Zagreb

Flea Market

Britanski trg (British Square), Zagreb

See also: FAM (Familiarization) tour of Croatia

Flea Market can be described as a special type of bazar that rents it space to people who want to sell or batter old merchandise.

Flea Market at the Britanski trg (British Square), Zagreb

Although not a very common concept in India, its an integral part pf every European city. Zagreb the capital of newly formed state of Croatia is no exception.

Desserts form Sugar Me

Desserts from Sugar Me

Heart 2 Heart, Muddy Cup, Death by Ferrero and Chocolate Chip Muffin

Also see: My Food Posts

Noted food blogger Poorna Banerjee, who blogs at “Presented by P,” has recently started Sugar Me, a desert home delivery service. Sugar Me offers home delivery service of customised cakes, cookies and chocolates at your door steps, anywhere in Kolkata.

Assorted Desserts from Sugar Me, gift from Poorna Banerjee

Also you can surprise your friends, on their birthdays and anniversary, with customised goodies from Sugar Me.

Poorna is a not only a fellow blogger but also a friend. She recently sent me an assorted package of her amazing creations. The package consisted of four assorted desserts.

St. Mark’s Church, St. Mark’s Square, Zagreb

St. Mark’s Church, Zagreb

St. Mark’s Square, Upper Town (Gronji Grad), Zagreb

See also: FAM (Familiarization) tour of Croatia

St. Mark’s Church, stands at the centre of the St. Mark’s Square (Trg Svetog Marka) in Upper Town (Gronji Grad) of Zagreb, the capital of Croatia.

St. Mark’s Church, St. Mark’s Square, Zagreb, flanked on the left by Government Building, and on the right by Croatian Parliament

Dominating the St. Mark’s Square in Zagreb is the St. Mark’s Church, with its beautiful coloured roof tiles and towering clock tower.

Europe along the Hooghly, Serampore, Chandannagar, Chinsurah and Bandel

Europe along the Hooghly

Serampore (Danish), Chandannagar (French), Chinsurah (Dutch) and Bandel (Portuguese)

Almost a century after Vasco da Gama landed on the West Cost of India (1498), the Europeans started making inroads in Bengal. Using Hooghly (also known as Ganga or Ganges) as the main source of navigation, they started making inroads in Bengal.

Europe along the Hooghly River (Serampore, Chandannagar, Chinsurah and Bandel)

Soon, European settlement started growing along the Hooghly River in the present day Hooghly District. Long before the British made Calcutta their stronghold, the Portuguese had settled in Bandel. They were closely followed by the Dutch in Chinsurah, Danish in Serampore and the French in Chandannagar.

Fourth Wikipedia Kolkata Photowalk

Wikipedia Takes Kolkata IV

Fourth Wikipedia Kolkata Photowalk, 14 December 2014

Also see: Wikipedia Kolkata Photowalks

Wikipedia the world largest online encyclopedia runs entirely on voluntary effort. Each major city in the world has a a Wikipedia chapter, who apart from contributing to Wikipedia carry out different activities like Wikiacademy and photowalks.

Group Photo (not the whole group), Fourth Wikipedia Kolkata Photo Walk. Photo Courtesy: Indrajit Das, Wikimedia Commons

The main objective of Wikipedia Photowalk, officially known a “Wikipedia Takes,” is to build a database of photos of landmarks of the city. The photos can later be used in the relevant articles.