The area that is now known as Lodi Garden was part of the village of Khaipur in the early 20th century. The villagers were relocated by the British and the space was landscaped into a garden named Lady Willingdon Park. It got its present name after independence & the garden was redesigned with Japanese collaboration in 1968. We began our walk from gate no. 1& moved towards the octagonal tomb of Mohammed Shah. The tomb was built by Alam Shah in Mohammed Shah’s memory. From this building we moved in north-west direction towards Bara Gumbad. It is a tall imposing square building with a disproportionately high dome. It is probably a gateway to the grave of an important person. On the west to the grave is a beautifully carved mosque and on the east is a pavilion that might have housed learned men, holy persons or attendants. The entire structure was built during Sikander Lodi’s time. Right opposite to this complex, towards the north is the Sheesh Gumbad, another Lodi period building. This tomb got its name due to band of blue glazed tiles that runs around the building below the dome. The next stop on our heritage walk was the tomb of Sikander Lodi, set in an enclosed garden. The garden also has one of the existing medieval period bridges in Delhi. This particular one is Athpula, made during Akbar’s time. A little further along the jogging track, there is a late-Mughal period pavilion and mosque.

Posted by Rajesh Ranjan & Vijaya Walia, Team Members, Delhi Heritage Walks

Lodi Garden Heritage Walk