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| The view of Sunder Burj through central axis in Sunder Nursery, By Mohsin Javed |
A place that can be liked loved, enjoyed and appreciated by those who love nature, culture, and Heritage where there is beautiful and stunning flora and fauna, water bodies and about six 16th century Mughal era Heritage monuments spread around a 90-acre piece of land is the Sunder Nursery.
Sunder Nursery
Sunder Nursery, New Delhi is a 16th century Heritage park complex next to the Humayun's Tomb, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Delhi. The Sunder Nursery was once known as Azim Bagh (beautiful and huge garden) in Mughal era. At the beginning of the 20th century, the British converted the area into a nursery for the new capital city New Delhi.
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| The Sunder Burj in Sunder Nursery, By Mohsin Javed |
Sunder Nursery is designed by landscape architect Late Professor Mohammad Shaheer.
In 2007, Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Central Public Works Department (CPWD), the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC), allowing it to undertake restoration of Humayun’s Tomb and other monuments in the Humayun’s Tomb, Sunder Nursery and Nizamuddin Basti area.
It is also one of the lesser known places in Delhi.
Sunder Burj
The 16th century tomb built by the Mughals, with intricate calligraphy on its walls and star-shaped patterns on the rooftop.
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| The Sunder Burj in Sunder Nursery, By Mohsin Javed |
It is one of the six Heritage monuments in the park that have UNESCO World Heritage status.
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| The restored ornamental domed ceiling of Sunder Burj in Sunder Nursery, By Mohsin Javed |
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| The calligraphy work inside the Sunder Burj in Sunder Nursery, By Mohsin Javed |
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| The calligraphy work on the wall of Sunder Burj in Sunder Nursery, By Mohsin Javed |
On the opposite side of Sunder Burj is a water channel, reminiscent of the one at the Taj Mahal. The central vista of the park and is decorated with ten handcrafted lotus-shaped marble fountains, sandstone benches, and attractive star-shaped flowerbeds.
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| The pattern (jali) work and small arches on the wall of Sunder Burj in Sunder Nursery, By Mohsin Javed |
Garden Amphitheater
An amphitheater with a capacity 300 people. At this place, Hazrat Amir Khusro created the Qawwali music traditions in the 14th century.
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| Garden Amphitheater in Sunder Nursery, By Mohsin Javed |
The amphitheater also serves as an extension of the flower show area. It also plays a significant role in attracting significant visitor numbers to Sundar Nursery.
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| Garden Amphitheater in Sunder Nursery, By Mohsin Javed |
Sunderwala Mahal
Sunderwala Mahal is a 16th century Mughal era monument in Sunder Nursery. It is an octagonal structured monument with a mausoleum inside. It was once connected to the Sunderwala Burj within a walled garden. Situated within the Sunder Nursery, the octagonal square Mughal era structure was discovered during conservation works.
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| Sunderwala Mahal in Sunder Nursery, By Mohsin Javed |
After the conservation work on the monument by Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC), it revives the lost cultural significance and architectural integrity of the monument.
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| The arch of the Sunderwala Mahal in Sunder Nursery, By Mohsin Javed |
Lakkarwala Burj
It is also one of the 16th century Mughal era monument in Sunder Nursery, Lakkarwala Burj is surrounded by a rose garden that is home to 30 varieties of this beautiful, stunning and gorgeous flower.
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| The Lakkarwala Burj in Sunder Nursery, By Mohsin Javed |
The gateway is unusually large in proportion to the adjacent walls. The arch symbolised the mosque and the platform was for the crypts.
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| The arched Mughal Platform (front view) in Sunder Nursery, By Mohsin Javed |
The platform is recorded to have been profusely ornamented with glazed slates (tiles), no fragment of which has survived.
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| The arched Mughal Platform (side view) in Sunder Nursery, By Mohsin Javed |
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| The unknown grave near Arched Platform in Sunder Nursery, By Mohsin Javed |
Mughal Garden Pavilion
The 18th century unique garden pavilion in Sunder Nursery was discovered in a ruinous condition on the proposed route of the ‘tunnel road’ proposed by Delhi Government for the Commonwealth Games.
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| Mughal Garden Pavillion in Sunder Nursery, By Mohsin Javed |
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| Mughal Garden Pavillion in Sunder Nursery, By Mohsin Javed |
Built with Lakhori brick and the façade is ornamented in a floral style. The Mughal Garden Pavilion drew inspiration from the traditional char-bagh (four-garden) pattern.
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| The pattern (jali) work on the walls of Mughal Garden Pavilion in Sunder Nursery, By Mohsin Javed |
Azimganj Serai
The Azimganj Serai is the 16th century earliest Mughal era grandest Serai in Delhi. It is a square structure with about 108 rooms and a large courtyard. One of the portions of the boundary walls of Azimganj Serai also passes through the Sunder Nursery, while the rest falls in the Delhi Zoo premises.
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| The 16th century Mughal Azimganj Serai in Sunder Nursery, By Mohsin Javed |
The Azimganj Serai has lush greenery around it, as well as water gardens lined with beautiful flower beds and a seating area.
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| The 16th century Mughal Azimganj Serai (side view) in Sunder Nursery, By Mohsin Javed |
Bonsai House
The Sunder Nursery Bonsai House is the first arboretum (botanical garden of trees).
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| The Bonsai House in Sunder Nursery, By Mohsin Javed |
The Bonsai House is displaying 373 Bonsai of 34 varieties, which was built in 2012.
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| Bonsai trees insider the Bonsai House in Sunder Nursery, By Mohsin Javed |
Source : Aga Khan Development Network (AGDN) and Condé Nast Traveller India
All Photos © Mohsin Javed
