Zafar Mahal

Why in news?

• The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is set to initiate conservation works at Zafar Mahal in South Delhi’s Mehrauli.

About Zafar Mahal:

• Zafar Mahal is considered as the last monumental structure built as a summer palace during the fading years of the Mughal era.
• The Zafar Mahal then called Lal Mahal and Rang Mahal was originally built by Akbar Shah II in 1820.
• Later, the last Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah II (aka Bahadur Shah Zafar) built the Hathi Gate and eventually gave it its present name, the Zafar Mahal.
  • Hathi Gate got its name because of the fact that an elephant can pass through it with the ‘houdah’ (seat, where people sit on an elephant) mounted over it.

• The emperor started the festival Sair-e-Gul Faroshan (Phoolwaalon ki sair) in Hazrat Bakhtiyar Kaki’s honor to celebrate his ‘Urus’ from this palace.

Add ons:

• The complex contains the beautiful white marble Moti Masjid and several royal graves, including several emperors such as Shah Alam I and Shah Alam II.
• It is said that Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar wanted to be buried here but since he was exiled to Burma, his last wish was never fulfilled.

PRACTICE QUESTION:

Consider the following statements regarding ‘Zafar Mahal’ of Delhi:

1. It was originally built by Jahangir

2. It was entirely built with marble

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer