Tomb of Akbar's Navratna to find new life

Having restored Humayan's Tomb to its earlier glory, the Archaeological Survey of India and the Agha Khan Trust for Culture now plan to undertake a similar project for Rahim's tomb in New Delhi's Nizamuddin area

In the morning, Abdul Rahim Khan-i-Khana's mausoleum, or simply Rahim's tomb, in the Nizamuddin area of South Delhi is a picture of serenity. With the sun gently shining on the lush green grass that surrounds it, people from neighbouring localities come for their morning constitutionals along the path that encircles the structure. At night, when the monument's gates are shut, the dome is enveloped in shimmering purple light, which is noticeable from a fair distance away.

Rahim served in the court of two Mughal emperors: Akbar and Jahangir. He was one of the nine important ministers in Akbar's court who were known as the Navaratnas. He is known for his Hindi couplets, or dohas, and his books on astrology.

Rahim's tomb has for several centuries lived in the shadow of the magnificent tomb of Mughal emperor Humayun, barely a few minutes walk away. Built by Rahim on his wife's death in 1598, and where he too was later buried, the structure is not as massive as the emperor's tomb complex, but is still one of the most striking structures in all of Delhi. The tomb falls under the protection of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), and has been preserved in the state it was in around 1754, when finishing materials from the complex were stripped off for use in the construction of the tomb of Safdarjung, the nawab of Oudh, around two kilometres away.

Made of red sandstone and grey Delhi quartzite, the structure is a symbol of Mughal craftsmanship. The tomb consists of a high squared platform with arched cells, embellished with intricate carvings and designs on each side. Over the years, the quartzite and sandstone have eroded and the rubble masonry underneath the dome too has got exposed, leaving the brick-coloured structure wearing a weathered look. The InterGlobe Foundation and the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) have decided to collaborate on the monument's restoration and conservation. Having restored Humayan's Tomb to its earlier glory, they now plan to undertake a similar project for Rahim's tomb.

The conservation effort is a part of AKTC's Nizamuddin Urban Renewal Initiative, a project that promotes the conservation and re-use of buildings and public spaces in the Nizamuddin area of New Delhi. Since its inception in 2007, the project has been successful in the conservation of over 30 monuments, including Humayun's Tomb, Nizamuddin Basti and Sunder Nursery. The restoration efforts for Rahim's tomb are an extension of the rebuilding work done at Humayun's tomb.

According to Ratish Nanda, conservation architect and project director at AKTC, these efforts have been undertaken to improve the state of monuments in the area, as well as to remind people of the country's great history. "We don't look at conservation in an isolated manner," says Nanda. "We see it as significant tool for development. Rahim's contribution to Hindustani culture is immense. We've all grown up listening to his dohas. It's time people are reminded of his great legacy."

AKTC will be assisted in this project by InterGlobe Foundation, the philanthropic arm of InterGlobe, a conglomerate that runs aviation, hospitality and travel businesses. "While India is known for its culture and heritage, a lot of our heritage sites are slowly fading," says Rahul Bhatia, InterGlobe's global managing director. "Through this effort, we wish to preserve Rahim's legacy."

Work has already begun on the site, with ASI officials chalking out a plan for its refurbishment. The face-lift is expected to be completed in the next three years. Stone masonry will be used and traditional building craft will be employed to restore the building - the same methods that were utilised when the monument was constructed more than 400 years ago. "It is important that it is restored the way it was built. We don't want to change that," says Nanda. "Moreover, this will help enhance building craft skills."

Nanda wants to ensure that the rebuilding is carried out according to the original builders' intention. Therefore, at the outset, it was made clear that modern materials like cement were inappropriate and the revampers could only utilise traditional building materials. Stone carvers, masons, plasterers, glazed tile makers, brick layers, art conservators and carpenters will work alongside architects and engineers during the project. The craftsmen will be encouraged to match the work of their forefathers using traditional tools, building principles and materials. The outer structure, along with the inside walls, is being prepared for refurbishment.

Currently, the monument attracts only a few visitors in a day. It is open to the public from 7.30 in the morning to 5.30 in the evening. The entry ticket costs a mere Rs 5. Nanda hopes that more people will come calling once the restoration is completed. He says that the tomb's restoration would have started much earlier had their been no problems with the funding. "Great men like Rahim, Kabir and Amir Khusro must be honoured. They have contributed greatly to our culture. This is just a start," he says.