Famous for the Qutub Minar complex, Mehrauli has undergone construction and reconstruction for centuries. Fond of Architecture, I decided to unveil the history and grandeur of Zafar Mahal, a hidden gem nestled in the heart of Mehrauli that boasts of Mughal architecture and regal tales.
Akbar Shah II built the palace in the early 19th century as a summer retreat, and it served as a venue for royal festivities and celebrations. The palace was later used by his son, Bahadur Shah Zafar, who was the last Mughal emperor, and after whom the palace is named.
As I made my way to Mehrauli, a quaint neighbourhood in Delhi, I was eagerly anticipating my visit to the historic Zafar Mahal. The region’s popularity as a summer escape can be attributed to its positioning at the foothills of the Aravalli range. Transported back in time to the days of the Mughal emperors, I marveled at the ornate details and the intricate carvings on the walls and ceilings. The palace boasts several courtyards, each with its unique charm and character.
Unfortunately, over time, the palace has fallen into a state of disrepair, with its walls and structures crumbling and in need of urgent restoration. The once-grand palace is now surrounded by a dense urban settlement and is used primarily by local residents as a public park. The beautiful floral motifs on the marble section of the gateway are now fragmented, and various parts of the structure bear the scars of vandalism, graffiti, and unauthorized carvings.
Over the years, the gateway has experienced significant deterioration, with large sandstone slabs detaching and deep cracks appearing along its length. The passage of time and neglect have taken a toll on the once grand and majestic palace, leaving it in a state of decay and abandonment.
Tourists I met and locals who visit the site have expressed disappointment at its current state. Drinking and Gambling are prevalent, and Some have shared photos on social media platforms highlighting the sorry state of the palace and the surrounding areas.
The palace’s walls and structures have been damaged by time and weather, and the lack of regular maintenance has allowed pigeons with ample nesting opportunities. Their acidic droppings eat away the stone with time. The Walls of the Mahal are abused at will and treated as a canvas by visitors. One of the reasons for the same is the severe shortage of attendants or allotment of guards who actually protect these monuments. Monuments have not been spared at all and have become the hotspot for drug peddlers.
According to a local resident, the site is managed by a rarely present guard. Another resident, who asked that his name be withheld, said influential landowners had claimed s premises as their own and planned to build on the land. They have even demarcated the boundaries.
Delhi authorities’ neglect of the city’s past is posing a question mark over its future. Earlier, Praveen Singh, superintending archaeologist, ASI Delhi Circle, said that they will be taking up Zafar Mahal for conservation soon. He further said that the condition of the monument has not been up to the mark for some time now.
Without the right care and attention, This iconic rich cultural history and heritage will slip by forgotten, unknown to the generations that follow unaware of its past.