German Ambassador to India Michael Steiner inaugurated the restored 17th century Mughal-era tomb Chausath Khamba in New Delhi’s Nizamuddin area on Sunday. The ceremony was followed by a Qawwali performance by Humsar Hayat Nizami and group.
“The beauty of the Chausath Khamba is ethereal. We are proud we could contribute to the conservation of this sublimely elegant heritage site. Delhi has a new cultural address and I am sure the city will now use this venue for many cultural and religious events,” said Ambassador Steiner.
Chausath Khambha is the tomb of Mirza Aziz Kokaltash, the great Mughal Emperor Akbar’s foster brother. The tomb was built in the year 1623-24. In 2011, Germany provided a grant of 150,000 euros to the Aga Khan Trust for Culture for the conservation and renewal of the tomb.
The conservation programme of Chausath Khamba has taken four years and has used many unique methods, including 3D laser scanning technology. Tremendous effort went into the dismantling of each of the 25 domes and the repairing of the brick masonry, arch stones and the diamond-shaped pendentives for each dome. The stone carvers used traditional tools and building techniques to repair the mausoleum.
Chausath Khamba is the first project of its kind combining conservation with environmental and socio-economic development while working with local communities and stakeholders. Chausath Khamba is so called on account of the 64 columns of the tomb structure. It is a unique structure built entirely of marble and, together with the adjacent tomb of Mirza Ghalib, comprises the largest open space in Hazrat Nizamuddin Basti.