Nizamuddin Dargah

Nizamuddin Dargah is the dargah (mausoleum) of the Sufi saint Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya (1238–1325 CE). Situated in the Nizamuddin West area of Delhi, the dargah is visited by thousands of pilgrims every week. The site is also known for its evening ''qawwali'' devotional music sessions. The descendants of Nizamuddin Auliya look after the whole management of dargah Sharif.

Architecture

The tombs of Amir Khusrau, Nizamuddin's disciple, and Jehan Ara Begum, Shah Jahan's daughter, are located at the entrance to the complex. Ziauddin Barani and Muhammad Shah are also buried here. Overall, the dargah complex has more than 70 graves.

The complex was renovated and restored by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture around 2010.

Dargah

Nizamuddin's tomb has a white dome. The main structure was built by Muhammad bin Tughluq in 1325, following Nizamuddin's death. Firuz Shah Tughlaq later repaired the structure and suspended four golden cups from the dome's recesses. Nawab Khurshid Jah of Hyderabad’s legendary Paigah Family gifted the marble balustrade that surrounds the grave. The present dome was built by Faridun Khan in 1562. The structure underwent many additions over the years. The dome is about six metres in diameter.

The dargah is surrounded by a marble patio and is covered with intricate '' jalis'' (). The dargah complex also has a ''wazookhana'' ().

Jamat Khana Masjid

Next to the dargah is the Jamat Khana Masjid. This mosque is built of red sandstone and has three bays. Its stone walls are carved with inscriptions of texts from the Quran. The mosque has arches that have been embellished with lotus buds, in addition to the facade of its dome having ornamental medallions. The structure was built during the reign of Alauddin Khalji by his son Khizr Khan. Completed between 1312 and 1313, Khizr was responsible for the central dome and hall, and was a follower of Nizamuddin. Around 1325, when Muhammad bin Tughlaq took over the reign, he constructed the two adjoining halls, each of which has two domes. The southern hall, ''chhoti masjid'' () is restricted to women and features a wooden door. The large dome of the mosque features a golden bowl that is suspended from the centre.

Baoli

At the back entrance of the complex is a ''baoli'' (), commissioned by Nizamuddin himself and completed in 1321. It is close to the Yamuna river and is always filled. People believe that its waters have magical powers and bathe in it. According to legend, Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq had commissioned the Tughlaqabad Fort at the same time the baoli was being built. Because he forbade all workers from working on the baoli, they would work on it at night. Upon discovering this, the supply of oil was restricted. The masons then lit their lamps with the water of the baoli, after a blessing.

Location

The neighborhood surrounding the dargah, Nizamuddin Basti, is named after the saint. The area was initially the site of the settlement of Ghiyaspur, where Nizamuddin lived, and was later named after him. The Basti's population mainly grew after refugees settled here during the Partition of India. Prior to that, the area was mainly occupied only by the ''pirzade'', the direct descendants of Nizamuddin.

The Basti area has small lodges, small eateries and shops selling elements related to Islamic culture, such as religious books, kurtas, skull caps and ''ittar'' (). It also has butcher shops.

The area is divided into two parts along Mathura Road: Nizamuddin West where the Dargah complex and a lively market dominated by Muslim vendors is located, and Nizamuddin East, where the Nizamuddin Railway Station is situated.

The area has been a hub for cultural activities in Delhi since the 13th century, leading to many building important buildings in close proximity to the area. This includes Humayun's Tomb and Sunder Nursery, a 16th-century heritage park. The tombs of Mirza Ghalib and Abdul Rahim Khan-I-Khana are also located in this area due to its cultural significance. The other important monuments in the Nizamuddin heritage area include Barakhamba and Lal Mahal.

The dargah complex is immediately surrounded by the Sabz Burj at the intersection of Lodhi Road and Mathura Road, the Urs Mahal (a stage for the ''qawwalis'') and the Chausath Khamba.

Culture

The area is referred to as the "nerve centre of Sufi culture in India". On the 17th and 18th day of the Islamic month of Rabi' al-awwal, thousands gather to observe the birth anniversary and '' urs'' (death anniversary) of the saint. Besides this, thousands also visit on the birth and death anniversaries of Amir Khusrau, Nizamuddin's disciple. Hundreds visit the dargah everyday throughout the year to pray and pay their respects. The dargah has a tradition of ''qawwali'', especially the one on every Thursday night attracting about 1500 visitors. The regular ''qawwalis'' occur every evening after the Maghrib prayer. The dargah has multiple intergenerational darbari qawwals. Women are traditionally not allowed inside the dargah’s inner sanctum. Besides this, the dargah organizes a daily ''langar''.

The evening prayers in which lamps are lit, called the Dua-e-Roshni, is an important ritual. Pilgrims gather around the ''khadim'', the caretaker, who prays for the wishes of all those gathered to be granted.

Death is celebrated in most Sufi orders. As part of the ''urs'', the dargah complex and the tombs are lit up in the tradition of ''charaghan''. Lakhs of people from different religions come from across the world and recite verses in the tradition of ''fateha''. Plates of rose petals and sweets are offered to the tombs and fragrant ''chaddars'' () are draped on them. People tie colourful threads on the jaalis and make vows (''mannat'') to the saints. Each thread symbolizes a wish.

The festival of Basant Panchami is also celebrated at the dargah. According to legend, Nizamuddin was deeply attached to his nephew, Khwaja Taqiuddin Nuh, who died due to an illness. Nizamuddin grieved over him for a long time. Khusrau, his disciple, wanted to see him smile and dressed up in yellow and began celebrating the onset of Basant, after spotting some women do the same. This caused Auliya to smile, an occasion that is commemorated to this day.

In popular culture

"Arziyan", a ''qawwali'' in the 2009 film ''Delhi 6'' composed by A. R. Rahman is dedicated to Nizamuddin Auliya. "Kun Faya Kun", a song in the 2011 movie ''Rockstar'' and again composed by Rahman, is also shot at the dargah, featuring Ranbir Kapoor and Nizami Bandhu, the traditional qawwal of the dargah. The dargah has also been featured in movies like ''Bajrangi Bhaijaan'' featuring Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor, and in "Aawan Akhiyan Jawan Akhiyan" a ''qawwali'' in the 2006 film '' Ahista Ahista'' featuring Soha Ali Khan and Abhay Deol.

Management

The dargah is a property that belongs to the Delhi Waqf Board. Offerings are collected under the ''baridari'' system through ''pirzadas'', who are the custodians of the Sufi dargahs. This usually comprises descendants of those buried at the dargah. The committee, Anjuman Peerzadan Nizamiyan Khusravi, looks after the dargah.

See also

* Ajmer Sharif Dargah
* Shah Jalal Dargah
* Shrine of Baba Farid

References

Further reading

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External links

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Dargahs in India
Mausoleums in Delhi
Architecture of the Delhi Sultanate
Mughal architecture
Islam in Delhi
Tourist attractions in Delhi
Ziyarat
Archaeological monuments in Delhi
History of Delhi
Monuments of National Importance in Delhi