Tomb of Bijri Khan – Delhi

Situated on a raised mound beside Sri Venkateshwara Mandir Marg in the RK Puram (Sector-3) area of New Delhi stands the imposing Tomb of Bijri Khan. The monument belongs to the Lodi period, so is approximately 600 years old, although nothing is known about Bijri Khan at all. It’s assumed he was probably a nobleman in the Lodi court.

The tomb has arched entrances containing doorways with brackets and architraves, a typical characteristic of Lodi period architecture, with the parapet and drum crowned with kanguras (battlements). There are two staircases set within the eastern wall leading to an upper terrace. The main structure houses five unknown graves. There’s also a second smaller tomb structure adjoining Bijri Khan’s tomb, which belongs to the Tuglaq period.

Declared a Class A Level monument by the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (because of its archaeological significance), until recently people were residing inside the monument and the graves within were in poor condition. The walls had started to decay and erode and immediate attention was needed.

In March 2021, INTACH signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Delhi government archaeology department to promote the monument as venue for cultural and literary events under the ‘adopt a heritage scheme’. The MoU also stated that the venue once ready, it would be available for events and activities such as Sufi musical recitals, theatrical plays, book readings, and for product launches. The site would also be available for corporate and private events.

The renovation of Bijri Khan’s tomb has clearly finished, but any attempts to actually make the property open to visitors seem lacking, at least on my visit in early 2023. Although there was a relatively new hut for a caretaker, there was nobody around and the gates were firmly locked.



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