Nizamuddin, Delhi: Interior of Chausath Khamba after conservation by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture. The tomb was built in AD 1623-24 for Mirza Aziz Koka, foster brother of the great Mughal Emperor Akbar.
AKTC
Nizamuddin, Delhi: Interior of Chausath Khamba after conservation by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture. The …
AKTC
Panoramic view of some of the restored monuments of the Qutb Shahi Heritage Park. From R to L: Jamshed Quli Qutb Shah's Tomb, Subhan Quli Qutb Shah's Tomb, Sultan Quli Qutb Shah's Tomb, Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah's Tomb, Kulsoom Begum's Tomb, and Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah's Tomb.
AKTC
Panoramic view of some of the restored monuments of the Qutb Shahi Heritage Park. From R to L: Jamshed Quli …
AKTC
The conserved main hall of Rahim's Tomb where the cenotaphs of Rahim and his wife, Mah Banu Begum were restored.
AKTC / Narendra Swain
The conserved main hall of Rahim's Tomb where the cenotaphs of Rahim and his wife, Mah Banu Begum were …
AKTC / Narendra Swain
The illuminated white marble dome of Humayun’s Tomb, New Delhi, India.
AKDN / Ram Rahman
The illuminated white marble dome of Humayun’s Tomb, New Delhi, India.
AKDN / Ram Rahman
Sunder Nursery’s Central Axis with the 16th century Sunder Burj in the backdrop, New Delhi, India.
AKTC
Sunder Nursery’s Central Axis with the 16th century Sunder Burj in the backdrop, New Delhi, India.
AKTC
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Our largest cultural project to date has been the restoration and revitalisation of Humayun's Tomb Complex, including its gardens. Activities have expanded to social and cultural programmes and urban upgrading in the neighbouring Nizamuddin area, as well as the rehabilitation of Sunder Nursery and a number of monuments in the historic district. In Hyderabad, the restoration and transformation of the Quli Qutb Shahi Tombs into a heritage park is also underway.
2 million
Humayun’s Tomb attracts two million visitors each year
The Humayun’s Tomb - Sundar Nursery - Hazrat Nizamuddin Basti Urban Renewal Project, in the heart of Delhi, India, combines a cultural heritage project with socioeconomic initiatives. The overall objective of the project, undertaken by the the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC), an agency of the AKDN, is to improve the quality of life for people in the area while creating an important new green space for the people of Delhi and beyond.
AKTC
Humayun’s Tomb, Sunder Nursery and Hazrat Nizamuddin Basti
The Initiative, in the heart of Delhi, combines a cultural heritage project with socio-economic initiatives. The objective of the project is to improve the quality of life for people in the area, while creating an important new green space for the people of Delhi and beyond.
Located in the heart of New Delhi, the Nizamuddin heritage precinct comprises the areas of Hazrat Nizamuddin Basti, Sunder Nursery and the World Heritage Site of Humayun’s Tomb.
Named after the revered saint Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, who lived here in the early 14th century, the area has witnessed centuries of tomb building as it is considered auspicious to be buried near a saint’s grave.
For more information, please see:
- Urban Renewal in Delhi: Heritage conservation
- Urban renewal in Delhi - Environmental development: Sunder Nursery
- Urban renewal in Delhi - Socioeconomic initiatives
- Nizamuddin Renewal
Aerial view of Qutb Shahi Heritage Park.
AKDN / Lipi Bhardwaj
Qutb Shahi Royal Tombs
Following the restoration of Humayun's Tomb, AKTC began the restoration of the Qutb Shahi Royal Tombs in Hyderabad, India. The Quli Qutb Shah Heritage Park was built during the reign of the Qutb Shahi Dynasty that ruled the Hyderabad region for 170 years in the 16th and 17th centuries.
The Tombs lie to the northwest of the Golconda Fort, a former hill fort that flourished from the late 15th century until 1591/999 AH. The entire Qutb Shahi dynasty is buried here, with the exception of Sultan Abulhasan Tana Shah, who was exiled to Aurangabad.
The Tombs are spread out over a low plateau, and share a common form: an onion dome atop a square plan tomb, surrounded by an arcade with rich ornamental details, and with corner minarets. The Tombs are built of local granite and plaster.
Rahim's Tomb illuminated after the completion of conservation works, New Delhi, India. Illumination funded by Fifth Dimension.
AKTC / Narendra Swain
Abdur Rahim Khan-i-Khanan’s Mausoleum
AKTC also completed the conservation of Abdur Rahim Khan-i-Khanan's Mausoleum in Delhi, India, in 2020. Rahim, Commander-in-Chief of the Mughal army, was not only a noble in the court of Emperor Akbar, but also a statesman, courtier, linguist, humanitarian, patron and poet. However, it is the mausoleum he built in AD 1598 for his wife, Mah Banu, that is the grandest of his surviving buildings – inspired by the architectural style of Humayun's Tomb and, in turn, inspiring the Taj Mahal. On his death, Rahim was also buried in this mausoleum.