Delhi’s iconic Safdarjung Tomb set for restoration worth Rs five crore

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More than 270 years after the mausoleum was built for the eponymous Nawab of Awadh and minister in the Mughal court, the grand Safdarjung Tomb one of Delhi’s best-known late-Mughal monuments is set for a fresh lease of life.

The imposing sandstone and marble mausoleum is getting a revamp, with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the World Monuments Fund (WMF) undertaking restoration and conservation works estimated to cost Rs 5 crore, an official said.

The project, which includes structural repairs, restoration of damaged architectural elements, landscaping works and revival of the monument’s ancient water system, is targeted for completion by July 30 and is among the most extensive conservation efforts undertaken at the site in recent decades, he said.

ASI Superintending Archaeologist RK Patel said the WMF has taken up restoration of the monument’s outer boundary walls, underpinning works, repairs of pathways, rejuvenation of Charbagh-style gardens and installation of a rainwater harvesting system across the complex.

He said the rainwater harvesting infrastructure would help revive the ancient fountains and water channels surrounding the tomb, many of which have remained non-functional for years, restoring a key feature of the monument”s original design.

Additionally, the ASI has undertaken conservation and repair works within the main mausoleum, including restoration of the ground floor, roof and several structurally vulnerable sections of the building, Patel said.

According to the official, damaged supports from the plinth level up to the first floor are being replaced, while collapsed masonry, plasterwork and flooring are being restored using traditional materials and techniques consistent with the monument’s original design.

Patel said ”lakhauri” bricksflat, thin, red burnt-clay blocks, often referred to as ”Badshahi” bricks for their extensive use in Mughal architecture, are being used in repairs, while underpinning and strengthening are being carried out to stabilise ageing portions of the structure that have deteriorated over time.

The conservation effort comes amid growing concerns over the monument’s condition. Several sections of the upper-level red sandstone parapet have either weakened or disappeared over the years, posing a risk for visitors.

Patel said the need for repairs became more urgent after visible deterioration was reported in multiple parts of the monument, including boundary walls, stone surfaces and decorative elements.

A young woman was injured few months ago after falling from the first floor when a damaged boundary section gave way.

She remained hospitalised for two days following the incident, highlighting concerns over visitor safety within the protected monument.

Built in 1754, the mausoleum houses the remains of Mirza Muqim Abul Mansur Khan, popularly known as Safdarjung, the Nawab of Awadh who served as prime minister of the Mughal Empire under Emperor Ahmad Shah Bahadur.

Historians regard Safdarjung Tomb as one of the last major monuments of the Mughal era and a symbol of the empire”s waning political authority.

Unlike earlier grand Mughal mausoleums commissioned by emperors and members of the imperial family, the tomb was built by Safdarjung’s son, Nawab Shuja-ud-Daula, reflecting the shifting balance of power within the empire during the mid-18th century.

Patel said the monument represents a shift from the architecture of earlier Mughal imperial tombs, while retaining certain key elements such as the Mughal garden and funerary design.

Set amid a sprawling Charbagh garden, four gardens traditionally separated by waterways, quintessential to Mughal mausoleums  the tomb follows the ”hasht bihisht” or ”eight paradises” layout, featuring a central domed burial chamber surrounded by eight interconnected rooms.

The monument stands on an elevated platform measuring about 18.29 metres by 18.29 metres and is built primarily of red and buff sandstone, with marble detailing giving it a distinctive appearance.

Patel said signs of deterioration became increasingly visible after the pandemic period, with stone sections of boundary walls developing cracks, plaster peeling from surfaces and decorative colours fading across large parts of the structure.

He said the objective of the ongoing project is to preserve the monument’s architectural integrity while ensuring that all interventions remain faithful to its original style and construction techniques. The restoration would help safeguard one of Delhi’s most iconic heritage landmarks and improve the overall visitor experience without compromising the monument”s historic character, the officer added

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