Chausath Khamba

Overview

The Chausath Khamba is in the Nizamuddin area. This historic building is one of the notable places to visit in Delhi. It is situated within the Nizamuddin complex and was constructed by the Aga Khan Trust.

Who built Chausath Khamba?

Chausath Khamba, also known as Chaunsath Khamba, stands tall since its construction between 1623 and 1624 by the son of Atgah Khan, Mirza Aziz Koka. During his rule, Mughal Emperor Jahangir commissioned the building and construction of the tomb. The responsibility given to Mirza Aziz Koka was that of being the Governor of Gujarat a number of times during Jahangir's rule till he died there. The name Chausath Khamba is an Urdu/Hindi word that means "64 column".

The architects originally designed the Khamba as a hall following the Mughal architecture style. The hall eventually became a tomb. It is a completely white marble square-shaped building. This tomb has 64 columns supporting as many as 25 bays. A turn-around roof supports each bay. It typically has a flat roof and walls with arches resting on square pillars.

Inscriptions say that the building is where Mirza Aziz Koka's tomb is. It is also close to the tomb of his father, Atgah Khan, who was the Prime Minister of Akbar. Several other tombs inside the monument remain unrecognised.

Significance of Chausath Khamba

Chausath Khamba is better known as "Sixty-Four Pillars," which is indeed a beautiful building in the middle of Delhi, close to the Qutub Minar. It is quite an important piece of architecture and culture. According to scholars and professional thinkers, this building was initially constructed during the 1300s either as a monument or a place of worship. The translation of "Chausath Khamba" into the English language is "Sixty-Four Pillars," named after sixty-four beautifully carved pillars that hold up this tower.

Architecture

Khamba reflects the great Islamic art developed during the middle Ages. There was an open courtyard at the centre of this square monument, and 64 beautiful pillars surrounded it in a ring. The skilled workers had carved flowers and geometric on top of each of the varnish above the pillars. As it's made of rock, it looks great and lasts for more time. With its beautiful design and historical significance, Chausath Khamba forms part of the Delhi tour package that draws tourists.

Experience

When tourists visit Chausath Khamba, a very peaceful environment can be imagined, surrounded by the grandeur of history. The place is good for getting away from the noise of the city and exceptionally good for picture clicking. Because of the historical background and the detailed carvings, this monument will interest the buffs of history and architecture. Not as crowded as some of the other historical places of Delhi, this remains a lesser-known place to visit.