Neela Gumbad

Unclaimed

Nila Gumbad is possibly the earliest Mughal era building in Delhi, even pre-dating Humayun’s Tomb. The architecture of Nila Gumbad – the tile pattern on the northern façade, the shape of the dome, and the polychromy of brick patterns – suggests that Nila Gumbad was one of the earliest buildings built during the Mughal reign, before Mughal architecture became influenced by local styles. It seems Miyan Fahim was later buried in the structure by Abdul Rahim Khan-i-Khana who was the son of Bairam Khan, a coutier in the royal courts of Mughal Emperor Akbar. The enclosure wall of the Humayun’s Tomb has internal arches facing the Humayun’s tomb, whereas the external façade is plain, except for the portion of the wall shared with the Nila Gumbad where there is an arcade on both sides of the wall.

The Nila Gumbad, or the blue dome, stands at the far-east of the Humayun tomb complex. It is one of the earliest Mugha-era monuments in the city and dates from the 1530s. There's not much information about the monument. Some say that it is the tomb of Fahim Khan, commissioned by the poet Rahim. The mausoleum is built of plaster and rubble. At the time of construction, it was entire covered with blue, green and white tiles. Each side of the facade contains decorative arches marked with plaster. These arches were initially covered with glazed tiles. Currently, glazed tiles are extant on the northern side of facade. It was first started deteriorating from the 19th century And then, the northern portion of Nila Gumbad was taken over by the railway lines for the construction of Nizamuddin railway station, abutting the monument. Later it was restored by Aga Khan Trust for Culture. In 2017, the monument was declared a UNESCO world heritage site as part of the Humayun’s tomb complex.

A Hidden Gem Next to Humayun's Tomb Nila Gumbad, located within the Humayun's Tomb complex in Delhi, is a captivating site with its striking blue dome and intricate tile work. While the identity of the person buried here remains a mystery, some historians believe it could be the tomb of an attendant of a Mughal noble, buried during the reign of Jahangir. This lesser-known but equally impressive piece of Mughal architecture offers a tranquil and enriching experience

The amount of detailing that went in decorating this beautiful monument. A lot of hard work has been done by the Aga Khan Trust in restoring the decorative details of this monument. It looks as beautiful in day as it does at night under the lights. Must visit place.

After a comprehensive renovation, the Neela Gumbad (Tomb) now stands as a stunning example of architectural beauty, thanks to the commendable efforts of the Aga Khan Foundation. Visitors to Neela Gumbad can also explore nearby historical landmarks, such as Humayun’s Tomb, and experience the spiritual serenity of the Nizamuddin Dargah.