| Chausath Khamba | |
|---|---|
 View of Chausath Khamba | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Islam |
| District | New Delhi |
| Province | Delhi |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Tomb |
| Leadership | Jahangir |
| Year consecrated | 1624 |
| Location | |
| Location |  New Delhi,India |
 Interactive map of Chausath Khamba | |
| Territory | Delhi |
| Coordinates | 28°35′28.7″N77°14′30.5″E / 28.591306°N 77.241806°E /28.591306; 77.241806 |
| Architecture | |
| Architect | Koka Khan-i-Azam |
| Type | Tomb |
| Style | Mughal architecture |
| Completed | 1623 |
| Specifications | |
| Direction of façade | Open on four sides |
| Dome | 25 |
| Materials | Marble |
Chausath Khamba, also spelledChaunsath Khamba, is a tomb built during 1623–24. It is located inNizamuddin precincts ofSufi Muslim shrines and tombs inNew Delhi, India. The name means "64 pillars" inUrdu andHindi. It was built byMirza Aziz Koka, son ofAtaga Khan, as a mausoleum for himself, at the time whenMughal EmperorJahangir ruled from Delhi. Mirza Aziz Koka had served several times as Jahangir’sGovernor ofGujarat before he died in Gujarat.[1][2][3]
Chausath Khamba monument was initially built as a hall in an innovative eclectic architectural style of the Mughal period. It was later converted into a tomb. It is a square structure constructed entirely of whitemarble. The structure (pictured withfacades) has 64 columns that support twenty fivebays. Each bay supports adome. The domes are not visible externally since they are reverse domes (picture). The roof is flat. Each wall has fivearches that are held by squarepilasters. In each face, between each of five pilasters, marble trellisedscreens have been fixed.[2][4]
According to inscriptions, the structure houses the tomb of Mirza Aziz Koka (also named Kotaltash). Thetomb of his father,Ataga Khan, the Prime Minister ofAkbar, is also in the vicinity. In addition, there are several other unidentified tombs inside this monument.[1][5] It is considered the family shrine of Atgah Khan.[6]The structure is enclosed and has an imposing entrance gate. TheGhalib tomb is located adjoining this structure on the northern side.[3] Comparison is drawn to a similar tomb built in marble inSarkhej inGujarat where Mirza Aziz Koka served several times asJahangir’sGovernor of Gujarat. He died in Sarkhej and was temporarily buried there. His remains were later shifted to Chausath Khamba.[2]
The Chausath Khamba is located in the busy 14th century market area ofNizamuddin Basti in New Delhi. The shrine of the Sufi saintNizamuddin Auliya (1236 AD – 1325 AD) is nearby.[7]The monument is part of the Nizamuddin religious complex and has been declared a heritage building.[8] The forecourt of Chaunsath Khamba was recently landscaped by the Aga Khan Trust. The successful Sufi qawwali music of Jashn-E-Khusrau, in which performers from India and Pakistan performed, was held here in March 2010.[8]
There are two other structures adjoining the Chausath Khamba, which are also heritage monuments.
Located in front of the Chausath Khamba, Urs Mahal is an assembly hall (pictured in the gallery) where Khawwali programmes are held on festival days and on the days during "Urs of Sufi saintNizamuddin Auliya". It is a protected monument (refurbished in 2003).[9][10]
Mirza Ghalib's tomb is a small tomb of famous Urdu poetMirza Ghalib (1797–1869), who was renowned in Urdu andPersian poetry during theMughal period.[citation needed] It is a protected monument. The tomb is a work of art located north of the enclosure of the Chausath Khamba.[citation needed]
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