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Zafar Mahal
Zafar Mahal is a heritage monument located in Mehrauli village, which is in Southern part of Delhi, India. This palace is the ruined summer palace where the Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar II lived, remaining as the last monumental structure raised during the receding period of the Mughal dynasty. This edifice can be viewed as two components: one being the Mahal or the palace which was established by Akbar Shah II during 18th century and the other being the entrance gate that was developed during 19th century by Bahadur Shah Zafar II, famous as “Zafar” meaning ‘Victory’. This location has an interesting historical fact which conveys that Bahadur Shah Zafar had an ardent desire that his burial should take place in a selected burial ground within the precincts of the Zafar Mahal in Delhi, which is the famous Dargah of Khwaja Qutubuddin Bakthiar Kaki, but the fate was otherwise to be. He was unfortunately deported by the British in his later years of life to Rangoon, consequent to 1857 War of Indian Independence known as the Sepoy Mutiny and he died at Rangoon of old age getting buried there without any honor.
History
The construction work of this edifice got started In 1842 A.D. and the entire work was completed in 1847 A.D. Mughal Emperor Akbar Shah II was the one who initiated this construction to be used as a summer palace for the Emperor’s family and the work was completed by Bahadur Shah Zafar. This is the last structure built by Mughals and was also the royal palace for Mughals during Urs observance of Hazrat Khwaja Qutubuddin Bakthiar Kaki, the renowned Sufi saint, to whom almost all the Mughal Emperors were disciples.
Hazrat Bakthiar Kaki was the successor of Hazrat Khwaja Mouniuddin Chisti and the rulers like Qutubuddin Aibak had established Qutub Minar in Khwaja's honor. The later Mughal emperors wanted to build a summer palace next to Khwaja’s Dargah and the one constructed was then known as Lal Mahal and Rang Mahal, which was started by Akbar Shah II. However, the last Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah II built the Hathi Gate, eventually naming the palace as Zafar Mahal.
Emperor Bahadur Shah II also started the festival Sair-e-Gul Faroshan in Hazrat Kaki's honor celebrating his Urs in this palace. In fact, the desire of Bahadur Shah II to get buried in this premises could not be fulfilled and he had his burial at Rangoon, Burma, in an unceremonious manner.
Architecture
The palace has an imposing gate, with a three-storied structure all in red sandstone embedded with marble slabs, around 50 feet wide with the opening named the Hathi gate, which would be wide and tall enough to allow full grown and ornamented elephants with their howdah to march in.
A broad cantilevered projection referred as Chhajja worked in the Mughal style forming the arch part of the Gate is one of the striking features of the Palace architecture. Either side of the arch, one would see two ornate medallions depicting the image of large lotuses. The gateway is also a classic Tripolia or three-arch pathway to the 12 opening structure, with scope for excellent breeze to gush in.
The top portion of the palace has a multi chambered dalan which is an arcade room with access to see the courtyard, the architecture belongs to Indian style. The top part has a terrace accessible from the palace side, also providing a view of the entrance visible at the other end. All exterior work and decorations are of European type of 19th-century vintage structure. An additional feature of a fireplace is found along the inside wall, which must have been constructed during later times.
Visitor’s Information
Zafar Mahal palace is in Qutub Minar Complex in Mehrauli in Delhi is open for visitors on all days from sunrise to sunset. There is no admission fee, likewise, there is no charges levied for taking photographs here.
It would take about 30 minutes for going around this monument premises and it is now full of shops and houses making one wonder if it was a summer palace of Mughal emperors.
There are other tourist attractions nearby which would include Jamali Kamali Mosque, Dargah of Qutbuddin Bakthiar Kaki, Adham Khan's tomb, Gandhak ki Baoli, Rajon-ki-Bain & mosque and the famous Qutub Minar,
There are wonderful eating places with different cuisines, around this complex, which include Osaka Aurobindo Marg, Thai Wok Ambavata Complex and Red Snapper Aurobindo Marg besides a number of roadside food stalls.
The Shopping places close by would include Ambavata Shopping Complex, Mehrauli, Sahara Mall, Hauz Khas Village and DT Mall in Gurgaon.
How to Reach
Mehrauli village where Zafar Mahal exists is well connected by road and rail with Metro station of Central Secretariat is the earmarked station for this place.
Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport is about 17 kilometers from this place while the nearest rail head for long distance trains is New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Stations which is 18 km distance.
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