Lodi Period Tomb, Lado Sarai, Delhi

Lodi Period Tomb

Lado Sarai, Delhi

Also see: Monuments of Mehrauli

The small non – descriptive tomb lies on a small Delhi Development Authority (DDA) Park at the crossing of Mehrauli – Mahipalpur and Mehrauli – Badarpur Roads in the Lado Sarai region of South Delhi.

Lodi Period Tomb, Lado Sarai, Delhi

This is nothing unusual for Delhi and the city is literally littered with monuments and probably the Mehrauli region is South Delhi has the largest concentration of monuments, many of which are not even protected.

Stucco Work, Lodi Period Tomb, Lado Sarai

There are no epitaphs inside the tomb but according to the architectural elements it dates back to the Lodi Dynasty.

Although nothing is known about the tombs original occupant, but it has been encroached upon by intruders for centuries.

Over the centuries the small but elegant tomb of Lado Sarai has been put to several adoptive reuse, including a store house and cycle repair shop.

In 2002 Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) along with Delhi Development Authority (DDA) took up the initiative of restoring the unknown Lodi Period Tomb of Lado Sarai.

Sectional Digrams of Lodi Period Tomb, Lado Sarai.

Within a year the tomb was restored to its formal glory with funds coming in from various sources, including Delhi Tourism.

I visited the tomb in June 2014 nad was accompanied fellow blogger and heritage enthusiast Sahil Ahuja.

The area looked well maintained, even though a group of local kids were enjoy a game of cricket inside the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) protected complex.

The tomb stands on a square base and is crowned with a dome. Apart from the western side the other three sides have arched opening leading to the interiors of the tomb.

The most striking external features of the Lodi Period Tomb is the decorative Battlements (Kanguras) on the parapet. Traces of multi – coloured glazed tiles are still visible on the battlements, which is located at the drum level of the tomb.

Glazed tiles at the battlement (kanguras), Lodi Period Tomb, Lado Sarai, Delhi

There are a few floral and geometric motifs and medallions on the outer walls. Each of the four corner are marked with short twin minarets.

Decorative interiors of the Lodi Period Tomb, Lado Sarai, Delhi

The interiors contain a decorative mihrab on the western wall. Koranic inscriptions are incised in the plaster and the walls are embellished with geometrical and floral designs.

Sadly the beautiful stucco work on the interior of the tomb has largely pealed off, but in spite of that the Lodi Period Tomb of Lado Sarai is a must visit for every heritage enthusiast.