Sabz Burj ("Green Dome") is an octagonal tomb situated in Mathura Road, near Nizamuddin complex, beside Humayun's Tomb, New Delhi.
It has been conserved and restored over the last four years using traditional materials and building-craft techniques favoured by 16th century craftsmen.
History edit
Some Mughal historians consider the Sabz Burj tomb is constructed to be for Fahim Khan, who died in 1626 A.D. He was an attendant to Abdur Rahim Khan during 4th Mughal emperor Jahangir's reign.[1] But others have opined that it was made in 1530–40.[citation needed]
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has renovated the structure.[2] In 2018, the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) discovered original 16th century paintings on the ceiling. It requested the ASI to remove cement and tiles from the 1986 restoration in order to restore the original lime that covered it. Complete restoration by the AKTC should be completed by 2020.[3][4][5] Now it is ASI protected monument.
Architecture edit
Its exterior is covered in blue tiles (although subz means "green") and stone.[6] The structure is crowned with a blue dome and it is popularly known as the Neeli ("Blue") chhatri. The construction was influenced by Central Asian architecture, which consists of alternating wide and narrow sides. Entrances have been built into the wider sides, while the narrower sides are ornamented in a pattern of incised plaster, paint or glazed tile.
The tomb does not have any markings pointing to the identity of those buried under it. However, it is of immense significance due to the ceiling on its double dome structure painted in pure gold and lapiz and revealed after conservation efforts began. It is thought to be the earliest surviving painted ceiling for any monument in India.[7]
References edit
- ^ "World Heritage Sites". Nila Gumbad. Archaeological Survey of India. Archived from the original on 10 April 2009. Retrieved 10 April 2009.
- ^ By R,V. Smith (30 May 2015). Delhi: Unknown Tales of a City. ISBN 9789351941255. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
- ^ "Timurid art on Delhi's little known Subz Burj to get a revamp". Hindustan Times. 12 January 2018. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
- ^ "Mughal-style repairs may save rare dome art | Delhi News - Times of India". The Times of India. TNN. 3 April 2019. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
- ^ "Conservators at Sabz Burj strike gold — in a painting on the ceiling". The Indian Express. 28 June 2018. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
- ^ "Subz Burj". monumentsofdelhi.com. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
- ^ Bhanj, Jaideep Deo (18 November 2021). "Sabz Burj restored to its Mughal-era glory". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
External links edit
Media related to Subz Burz at Wikimedia Commons
