Safdarjung tomb

Updated on 29-09-2022

Safdarjung Tomb

Quick Facts:

Country: India

State: New Delhi

Built in:1754

Built By: Nawab Shujaud Daula

Timings: From 7 am to 6 pm

Architecture: Mughal Architecture.


Safdarjung-tomb or Safdarjung maqbhara  is a beautiful garden tomb located in New Delhi, India. It is built in Mughal architecture. The tomb is built in sandstone and marble. This tomb is a simple garden tomb. This tomb was built in the year 1754 in memory of Safdarjung, the governor of Avadh and Nawab Shuja-ud-dualah’s father. It is located at the junction of Safdarjung road and Aurbindo marg is of the major tourist destination in Delhi.

Safdarjung tomb in DelhiSafdarjung Tomb

History of Safdarjung tomb

Read more about Indian History here

Mirza Muquim Abul Mansur Khan popularly known as Safdarjung was a rich and powerful ruler. He was born in the year 1708 AD. After the death of Mohammed Shah of Mughal Empire, Safdarjung relocated to Delhi and was made the Nawab of Avadh.


Safdarjung ruled from 1719-1748 as Prime Minister in Mughal Empire. From 1750 to 1754 he was made the Subhedar of Assam and then Governor of Ajmer. As Safdarjung was a powerful ruler he had taken complete control on the King.

The King was a mere puppet in the hands of Safdarjung. However internal politics ousted Safdarjung from Delhi.

After this, Safdarjung died in the year 1754 in Sultanpur. His son Nawab Sujhaud Daula pleaded the Mughal emperor to build a tomb in his father memory. After taking permission, Safdarjung’s son constructed the tomb in Delhi.

Best time to visit

Best time to visit Delhi is from October to March when the weather is good. December to February is the winter season and woolen clothes are required during this period.

Seasons of Delhi

Delhi experiences extreme conditions of hot and cold during summer and winter season. Its climate is greatly influenced by the Thar Desert and Himalayas

Summer season: Summer season starts from Mid-April and continues till end of June. It would be extremely hot during May and June. The maximum temperature may go up to 45 degrees Celsius. One can experience Loo during summer season

Monsoon season: Monsoon season is from July to September. Maximum temperature may drop below 40 degrees. But it would be extremely sultry and humid.

Winter season: November to February are winter months. The minimum temperature may drop to as low as 5 degrees. the maximum temperature would be below 15 degrees during peak months of December and January.

October and March are pleasant months.

Tomb of Safdarjung in Delhi

Architecture of Safdarjung-tomb

Safdarjung tomb is the last monument which was built during the Mughal rule. This tomb signifies the downfall of the Mughals. An Ethiopian architect called as Abyssinnian designed the tomb.

It is built in red sandstone with a huge dome. Although Safdarjung tomb was built in line with Humayun’s tomb still it lacks grandeur and beauty of Humayun’s tomb. This monument also lacks the precision in the architecture.

The four main important features of the tomb are the Char Bagh, which is at the centre and has the mausoleum, the nine-fold floor plan, a five-part façade and a large podium with hidden stairways.


The mausoleum is on a raised platform and the main entrance is of two storied which has magnificent and intricate Arabic designs both in the front and the backside of the tomb. The Arabic inscriptions states as follows “When the hero of plain bravery departs from the transitory, may he become a resident of god’s paradise”.

To the right side of the gate is the mosque which has three dome and stripes on it. The rear side of the main gate consists of rooms and library. Like all Mughal architecture even the Safdarjung mausoleum is surrounded by square garden.


Architecture of the tomb

One can have a perfect view of the mausoleum on entering the main gate. The walls are built very high and hold a huge dome above the mausoleum. The central chamber is built in square shape which has eight partitions with octagonal shaped chhatris on each four corners.

The cenotaph is being kept in the centre of the chamber.  The interiors of the Mausoleum are beautified by using Rocco plaster.


Like all other mausoleum even in this tomb has actual graves of both Safdarjung and his wife Amat Jahan Begum. Even though this tomb tries to mimic Taj Mahal on few points, it lacks the symmetry/ precision/ beauty of the Taj Mahal.


The Four minarets are at a completely different elevation as compared to that of Taj. Even though the architecture of the tomb is praised but it does not stand up to the architecture of Mughals. The materials used for the construction are of questionable quality.

Beautiful interior design in the tomb

Garden in Safdurjung Tomb

The main beauty of the tomb is the garden which is surrounding the tomb. It is approximately 280m long on all sides. The garden is in the Mughal charbagh style which is separated by four squares which consists of water canals and foot path.

One channel leads to the main entrance gate of the tomb and the other three leads to the pavilion. Each square is further divided into smaller garden. the shape of the chatris are in octagon.

A simple yet another beautiful Mughal architecture tomb is a place to visit in Delhi

The chatris are in Octagonal shape. It consists of four pavilion with multiple chambers and entrance gateway to the east. There are pavilions laid out on western, northern and southern sides which are named as Jangli Mahal, Moti Mahal, Badshah Pasand. Now the entire tomb is under the control of Archelogical Survey of India. 

How to Reach

Location:  Between Safdarjung Road and Aurbindo Marg New Delhi India.

Timings: Sunrise to Sunset

Nearest Metro station: Jor Bagh metro station

Entry fee: Rs 15 for Indians and Rs 200 for Foreigners

Please note the rates may have changed.

Update on coronavirus in India

How to Reach Delhi


Delhi being the capital city of India. It is easily accessible by air, rail and Road.

By Air: Delhi has a very good air service both domestic and international flights. Delhi has flights to all the major cities within and outside India.

By Rail: Delhi has a very good rail connectivity. It has four major railways namely Old Delhi Railway Station, New Delhi Railway Station, Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station and Anand Vihar Railway Station

By Road: Delhi has well connected road and national highways from all the major cities of India. The three major bus stands are Inter State Bus Terminus (ISBT) at Kashmiri Gate, Sarai Kale Khan Bus terminus and Anand Vihar Bus Terminus. Both government and private buses provide with good service.

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