Established
in the 15th and the 16th centuries by the Sayyids and Lodis, the vast
grounds of Lodi Garden are famous among the joggers of the nearby areas.
Carefully kept gardens and the medieval monuments lend a charm to these
gardens. In 1968, J A Stein and Garrett Eckbo re-landscaped these
gardens giving them their present beautified forms. The several tombs
situated in the garden belong to the Lodi and Sayyid era and include
Muhammad Shah's Tomb and Sikander Lodi's tomb. Muhammad Shah (1434-44)
was the third ruler of Sayyid dynasty. His tomb has been built in a
typical octagonal pattern with a central octagonal chamber, verandahs,
three arched openings on each side and a sloping buttress at each angle
of the structure. Inspired by Mubarak Shah's tomb, this tomb has a more
compact plan, high dome, matching chhatris and better proportions.Other tomb known as Bara Gumbad or the Big Dome is a square tomb with an imposing dome. Its facades look as if it is double storeyed. It has turrets on corners, arches and stuccowork and painting ornamenting the interiors. It is believed that the tomb belongs to an officer of high rank who served Sikandar Lodi. Besides this tomb is the Bara-Gumbad mosque built with ashlar stone. Its rectangular prayer-hall has five arched openings and is a fine example of the early Mughal mosques. The tapering minarets built in the Tughluq style, colored tiles and Quranic inscriptions ornament this mosque. Built in 1494, this mosque was constructed during the reign of Sikandar Lodi.
Shish Gumbad built as usual in the square pattern with a 'double-storeyed' appearance looks much like Bara Gumbad. Its ceiling has incised plasterwork with floral patterns and Quranic inscriptions. One can still see the traces of the blue tiles that once adorned it and gave it the name of ' glazed dome'. There are several graves inside it. Sikandar Lodi's Tomb is built in the octagonal tomb pattern, much like Muhammad Shah's tomb. The chhatris over its roof are no more to be seen. Nawab Bahadur built 'Athpula', a bridge of eight piers forming seven arches during Akbar's reign. Besides these tombs, one can also visit the National Bonsai Park developed here, which has a delightful collection of miniature versions of several trees and plants. They look beautiful at sunset under soft light.
