Atgah Khan's Tomb

The dome of Atgah Khan's Tomb, By Mohsin Javed
The Basti Hazrat Nizamuddin is an ancient living area of Delhi around the Dargah (Tomb) of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya has many heritage monuments such as Chausath Khamba (Tomb of Mirza Aziz Koka), Nizamuddin ki Baoli, Urs Mahal, Tomb of Mirza Ghalib, Tomb of Atgah Khan’s and many more.
Atgah Khan
Shamsuddin Muhammad Atgah Khan was a high official in the court of Mughal Emperor Akbar, was murdered by Adham Khan in 1562. Atgah Khan was the husband of Jiji Anga, one of Akbar's wet nurses.
Atgah Khan's Tomb in Nizamuddin, By Mohsin Javed
After the death of Atgah Khan, his tomb was built by the instructions of Mughal emperor Akbar and built by his foster brother, Mirza Aziz Koka in 1566-67.

Tomb of Atgah Khan’s
The tomb of Atgah Khan’s is situated at the northern edge of the Dargah (Tomb) of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, built in the 16th century is also one of the hidden gems of Delhi.
The details of one of the four arches in Atgah Khan's Tomb, By Mohsin Javed
The tomb is symmetrical and is one of the magnificent examples of Mughal era architecture and Indo Islamic architecture. Its architect was Ustad Khuda Quli and calligrapher Baqi Muhammad from Bukhara. The tomb is four sided with four recessed sandstone arches containing doors on four sides.
The calligraphy work on the wall of Atgah Khan's Tomb, By Mohsin Javed
As the Mughals mainly used glazed tiles as a decorative element for their forts and tombs. There is an abundant of tilework on monuments like Humayun's Tomb, Isa Khan's tomb and Mosque, Nila Gumbad and Atgah Khan’s tomb amongst others.

The tile work in deep blue, green and yellow color in Atgah Khan's Tomb, By Mohsin Javed 
There is also tile work in deep blue and green on the inner part of the arches forming the doorways to the square tomb. There are three graves inside, each ornamented inlaid with calligraphy and floral patterns.
The calligraphy and red sandstone pattern work on the wall of Atgah Khan's Tomb, By Mohsin Javed

The pattern (jali) work on the wall of Atgah Khan's Tomb, By Mohsin Javed

The pattern work with red sandstone and white marble in Atgah Khan's Tomb, By Mohsin Javed
The interiors, once highly ornamented with red sandstone pattern jaalis and incised plaster work motifs and inscriptions from the Quran as calligraphy.

The pattern work and floral design with red sandstone and white marble in Atgah Khan's Tomb, By Mohsin Javed
An inscription on the southern door of the tomb mentions that it was finished in 1566 – 67.
The heritage monument is currently in the restoration process by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture.
One of the area under restoration in Atgah Khan's Tomb, By Mohsin Javed

The restoration work inside the Atgah Khan's Tomb, By Mohsin Javed
The Atgah Khan’s Tomb, a heritage monument unfortunately surrounded by the Basti’s (Nizamuddin) multi-storeyed buildings. As mainly visitors to the Hazrat Nizamuddin Basti are either interested in the Sufi shrine of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya or the famous poet Mirza Ghalib’s Tomb and the Chausath Khamba (Tomb of Mirza Aziz Koka).
Hardly anybody visits the tomb.

All Photos © Mohsin Javed