| Kotla Mubarakpur Complex | |
|---|---|
 Tomb ofMubarak Shah | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Islam |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Tombs andmosque |
| Status | Active[clarification needed] |
| Dedication | Mubarak Shah and others |
| Location | |
| Location | Kotla Mubarakpur,South Delhi,Delhi NCT |
| Country | India |
  Location of Kotla Mubarakpur Complex inCentral Delhi | |
| Geographic coordinates | 28°35′29″N77°14′31″E / 28.5915°N 77.2419°E /28.5915; 77.2419 |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Mosque architecture |
| Style | |
| Founder | Sayyid dynasty |
| Completed | 1434CE |
| Specifications | |
| Direction of façade | West |
| Dome | Many(number unknown) |
| Materials | Redsandstone |
| Official name | Tomb of Mubarak Shah |
| Reference no. | N-DL-106 |
| Official name |
|
| Reference no. | N-DL-102–105, 107–108 |
TheKotla Mubarakpur Complex is amausoleum andmosque complex, located in Kotla Mubarakpur, a medieval urban village inSouth Delhi,India. The history of the complex can be traced to the prominent tomb ofMuizud Din Mubarak Shah, son ofKhizr Khan of theSayyid dynasty of the 15th centuryDelhi Sultanate. The complex includes a mosque and several other tombs of theLodi dynasty period, including the Darya Khan's tomb, Kale Khan ka Gumbad, Bare Khan ka Gumbad, Chote Khan Ka Gumbad and Bhure Khan ka Gumbad, and also abaoli (step well).[1][2]: 28, 87
Various structures in the complex areMonuments of National Importance,[3] and administered by theArchaeological Survey of India.
Muizud Din Mubarak Shah, better known as Mubarak Shah, succeeded his father, Khizr Khan, as Delhi Sultanate, the leader of the Sayyid dynasty. Mubarak Shah established a city called Mubarakabad on the banks of theYamuna River. However, no trace of it exists now. Mubarak Shah died in 1434CE and he was buried in Kotla Mubarakpur, named in his honour.[2]: 28, 87
Mubarak Shah's tomb is an impressive structure, built in a fusion of Lodi styleoctagonal plan combined withTughlaq style buttresses and wide dome, enclosed in an octagonal compound. The south and west gates have been retained, while the compound walls and other gates have disappeared. The Sultan personally planned its construction during his lifetime. It has a southern entrance into the octagonal hall, which has arched openings on three sides, except in the west, which has themihrab, in the prayer direction.[1][2]: 87
The tombs of Mubarak Shah and Muhammad Shah are strikingly similar, although built ten years apart and in different locations. It is quite possible that both monuments were built by the same architect. One major difference lies in the different heights of the dome in proportion to the rest of the building. Mubarak's tomb has a dome 1.2 metres (4 ft) lower than that of Muhammad, and it makes the dome out of proportion with the rest of the building. Thus, Mubarak's dome is too small for the size of the drum and the base of the verandah, and too flat to be attractive.[4]
Averandah, with three entrances, encloses the hall. The hall and the verandah are provided with supporting sloping buttresses at the corners. A sixteen sided fortification, with turrets in each corner, supports the low dome structure. Theturrets are crowned by a lantern.Chattris (kiosks) in octagonal shape adorn the roof on each side. Three tiers ofQuranic inscriptions adorn the springing of the ceiling of the dome. Though stunted in appearance, it is considered as a typical example of octagonal Sayyid tombs, which were popular during Lodi and Mughal periods.[1][2]: 87 [5] The overall effect of the tomb is of a pyramidal appearance.
Adjoining the tomb, there is a "funerary mosque" meant as a venue for prayers, and making public addresses by the visitors to the tomb. The mosque is located on the west wall of the tomb. It has two bays depth wise and five bays width wise and is decorated with arches supported on pillars.[1][5]
In the precincts of the Kotla Mubarakpur tomb and mosque, there are many other tombs of the Lodi period. These are (see gallery):[1]
Darya Khan Lohani's tomb is dated from the early 16th century. Darya Khan was theChief Justice during the reign ofBahlol Lodi andvakil (advocate) duringSikander Lodi's rule. Considered an unusual tomb, most of the structure is in ruins. It has a commemorative circular platform structure built amidst a larger platform. Chaatris (kiosks) are seen at the corners. It has been deduced that when built the tomb had an impressive layout with a beautiful view.[1][2]: 85
This is an impressive tomb monument with an intricate frontage. The central bay of the tomb is flanked by three rows of three niches. The central niche in each row is larger than the other two. Another unusual depiction for a Lodi period tomb is of the octagonal shaped turrets at the four corners. Chattris (12 pillared) adorn the top of the four turrets. The interior of the domed Chatris have ornamentation with incised and painted plaster bands with a decorative medallion in the centre. It is spread over an area of 22 square metres (240 sq ft).[1][2]: 86
This tomb considered to be built in "classic proportions" is located next to the Bade Khan's tomb, which has a wonderful and well-maintained interior. The exterior walls of the tomb, particularly at the entry, has carved plasterwork.[1]
This tomb is dated from 1481 CE as per an inscription on the mihrab inside the tomb. Kale Khan was a courtier in the Lodi period during the reign ofBahlol Lodi. It is conjectured that his father was Darya Khan Lohani. There is a tallcenotaph in an otherwise usual Lodi-type tomb. Its location is 300 metres (980 ft) north of the Ring Road. It is stated to be the earliest dated tomb of the Lodi period.[1][2]: 86
Kotla Mubarakpur classified by theDelhi Development Authority as an urban village which is dominated bybaisla gotra of Gurjars. It is situated within close distance ofSouth Extension andDefence Colony, to the east. The nearest Delhi Metro stations are South Extension,Dilli Haat - INA andLajpat Nagar.
Kotla Mubarakapur and South Extension are busy city centres easily approachable by road, rail and air communications. The main artery, Ring Road of Delhi, passes near Kotla Mubarakpur complex. The nearest railway stations areNew Delhi Railway Station andNizamuddin Railway Station, 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) and 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) away respectively.Indira Gandhi International Airport is 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) away.
South extension was built to the south of an old village called Kotla Mubarakpur, which developed inside the tomb enclosure of the second Sayyid sultan. Near it are a number of Lodi tombs, now scattered among residential neighbourhoods…
Media related toKotla Mubarakpur at Wikimedia Commons
