The garden shelters some of the last surviving relics of the Sayyid and the Lodi dynasties, offering an unparalleled glimpse into architectural traditions that bridged medieval Delhi with the dawn of the Mughals. Under the guardianship of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), these monuments remain preserved for posterity, while the verdant lawns attract walkers, joggers, yoga practitioners and cultural enthusiasts alike.
At the heart of the garden rises the imposing Bara Gumbad, or “Great Dome”. Erected in 1494 AD during Sikandar Lodi’s reign, this massive rubble-built gateway is flanked by a fine three-domed mosque and the remnants of a walled enclosure. Facing it stands the Shisha Gumbad, or “Glazed Dome”, distinguished by once-sparkling blue tiles. Its tomb chamber holds unidentified graves, possibly those of nobles from the court of Sikandar Lodi or even Bahlol Lodi himself. To the north, shaded avenues lead towards the elegant Tomb of Sikandar Lodi, enclosed within battlemented walls and echoing the design of earlier Sayyid structures. From here, one espies the Athpula Bridge, a relic from the age of Akbar. This seven-arched bridge, supported on eight piers, once straddled a stream flowing into the Yamuna, symbolising Delhi’s ancient waterways.
Yet the most evocative monument is the Tomb of Muhammad Shah, last ruler of the Sayyid dynasty, completed in 1444 AD. Its octagonal plan reveals the fusion of Hindu and Islamic motifs, with slender chhatris crowned by lotus finials, ornate ‘chhajjas’ shading the arches, and decorative bouquets embellishing its buttresses. Resting on a sixteen-sided base, the central dome appears modest, yet it set the architectural precedent for later Lodi tombs.
Today, Lodi Garden is not only a retreat for leisure but also an invaluable archaeological site in Delhi, where morning walkers share space with historians, photographers and admirers of Indo-Islamic art. It remains a serene testimony to dynasties long faded, an enduring jewel amidst the vibrant urban sprawl of India’s capital.