About Nizamuddin Dargah
Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya is one of the most highly respected Sufi saints in India and is his dargah is visited by many Sufiana enthusiasts from all over the world. Hazrat Nizamuddin died in 1325 and the original tomb does not exist anymore. His shrine was built by Firuz Shah Tughlaq, an emperor of Tughlaq dynasty, which underwent severe damage. The structure was rebuilt in 1562-63 A.D. by Fariuddin Khan, a nobleman with a high rank. The present building has been repaired and renovated many times since then. The compound also has many other tombs of nobilities like Amir Khusrau (famous poet) and Jahanara (daughter of Emperor Shah Jahan).
The Neighborhood
The neighborhood surrounding the dargah is named after the saint, and 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, an upper-class residential area situated between Humayun’s Tomb and the Nizamuddin Railway Station.
The other important monuments in the Nizamuddin heritage area include Humayun’s Tomb, Chausath Khamba, Mirza Ghalib’s tomb, Barakhamba, Sabz Burj (Blue Gumbad) at the Nizamuddin Circle and Lal Mahal.
Drug abuse, crime and poverty remain a big problem for the neighbourhood.
Legend of Hazrat Nizammuddin Auliya
Hazrat Nizammuddin Auliya was born as Shaikh Nizamu’d-Din at Budaun (Uttar Pradesh) in 1236 and is supposed to be the direct descendent of Hazrat Nizamuddin Chishti. After losing his father at the age of five, he came to Delhi with his mother to become a qazi (Muslim priest). Later he became the disciple of the famous saint Shaikh Farid Shakarganj, who appointed him as his successor. Both Ala-ud-Din Khalji and Muhammad Tughlaq were devoted to him.
His shrine and the adjoining areas were considered sacred to the extent that royalties would vie for space to be buried in the shrine grounds. Some of the monuments that stand on the dargah’s grounds are Jama’at- Khana Masjid, Chini Ka Burj or Bai-Kodaldai’s tomb, Tomb of Jahanara, Amir Khusrau’s Tomb, Mirza Ghalib’s Tomb, Kalan-Masjid, Khan-I-Jahan Tilangani’s Tomb, Ataga Khan’s Tomb, Chaunsath Khamba, Lal-Mahal, Khan-I-Khanan’s Tomb and Barapula.
Charity Work
Before entering the dargah premises, you have to remove your shoes and preferably cover your head. Here you will find many claiming to be the Sajjadah-Nashins (keepers) of the mausoleum, requesting money for their blessings. The maintenance and upkeep of the dargah, including a daily langar (community meal) for the poor is run with the help of alms and offerings here. Several NGO’s including “The Hope Project Charitable Trust” is working to alleviate the plight of the disadvantaged dwellers of the Nizamuddin Dargah area.
Architecture
The Nizammuddin mausoleum consists of a square chamber surrounded by verandahs, which are pierced by arched openings, while its roof is surmounted by a dome springing up from an octagonal drum. The dome is ornamented by vertical stripes of black marble and is crowned by a lotus-cresting ornamentation work.
