Safdarjung's Tomb was commissioned by Safdarjung, a powerful chief minister of the Mughal Empire during its decline. The tomb's architecture resembles other Mughal tombs but with inaccuracies suggesting the empire's weakened state. An online survey found most visitors to other monuments were unaware of Safdarjung's Tomb. Declaring it a UNESCO World Heritage Site could boost awareness and recognition of its significance as the last Mughal tomb built.

1. KNOWING THE
UNKNOWN
:SAFDARJUNG’S
TOMB

2. WHO WAS
SAFDARJUNG?
Muhammad Muqim succeeded the throne of Oudh in 1739. Muhammad
Shah, the then Mughal Emperor, awarded him with the title of Safdarjung
because of his strong administrative and dictatorship skills.
Safdarjung became the chief minister of the Mughal Empire when
Muhammad Shah’s son, Ahmad Shah, succeeded the throne.
He became a powerful and central figure in the Delhi court during his reign
as Chief Minister.
Safdarjung misused his power to a great extent and hence was dismissed
eventually in 1753.
Safdarjung died in 1755 near Faizabad, where he made his military
headquarter.

3. INSIGHTS INTO THE TOMB
Nawab Shajaud Daula, son of Safdarjung, administered his father’s Tomb.
The Tomb was constructed during the period when the Mughal Empire was declining.
The architecture of this tomb resembles that of Taj Mahal and Humayun’s Tomb. However
parts of this monument show inaccuracies in symmetry and the use of inexpensive material
depicts the state of penury of Mughal Empire.
The Charbagh or gardens surrounding the mausoleum at the centre, enclosed by high walls,
Safdarjung’s Tomb is probably the last mausoleum built during Mughal Empire.
Its significance lies in the fact that it symbolises the end of the era of Mughal Architecture
which is appreciated and marvelled till date. Archaeological Survey of India has decribed it
as “the last flicker in the lamp of Mughal architecture".

4. ONLINE SURVEY

5. I conducted an online survey related to
Safdarjung’s Tomb amongst the local
residents.
Survey included a questionnaire of 6
questions to get a brief insight into the
knowledge about the Tomb amongst people
Results and analysis of the survey are
based on a sample of 72 respondents.

6. Q1:Which Heritage Site, in your opinion, is visited
by maximum number of tourists everyday?
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
70.00%
80.00%
90.00%
RED FORT HUMAYUN'S TOMB SAFDARJUNG'S TOMB
88.89%
6.94% 4.17%

7. Q2:Have you visited Safdarjung's tomb
before?
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
70.00%
80.00%
76.06%
14.49%

8. Q3:If yes, What made you visit this monument?
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
ACADEMIC PURPOSES TOURISM FAMILY OUTING
4.55%
54.55%
40.91%

9. 0.00%
5.00%
10.00%
15.00%
20.00%
25.00%
30.00%
35.00%
40.00%
45.00%
50.00%
ARCHITECTURE HISTORY GRANDEUR OF THIS SITE
49.23%
31.54%
19.23%
Q4:What Attracted You The Most About This Monument?

10. Q5:If your answer to 2nd question is no, what are
the reason(s) for not visiting this monument?
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
NOT AWARE OF THIS
MONUMENT
NOT A WHS SITE LACK OF PROPER
CONSERVATION
57.41%
40.74%
11.11%

11. Q6:If given a chance, Would you like to
explore Safdarjung’s Tomb?
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
70.00%
80.00%
90.00%
YES NO
85.51%
14.49%

12. CONCLUSIONS:
The survey shows that this monument is least popular amongst other
Mughal Monuments in comparison.
As many as 31% of the visitors who explored this monument, explore
it for its history as well as for its architecture. Henceforth its history
has a crucial place in Indian History.
 Lack of proper awareness is what is keeping the visitors away.
Moreover, 40% of the respondents didn’t visit this site since it was not
recognised as a World Heritage Site.
85% of the respondents have the enthusiasm to visit this site and
believe that with proper awareness , conversation initiatives by the
government and being recognised globally can help to restore its

13. INTERVIEW WITH
THE TICKETING
OFFICER
Safdarjung’s Tomb is visited by
500-600 visitors each day.
The officer believes that due to lack
of awareness amongst the tourists
as well as the locals, this monument
is losing its importance over time.
Declaring it a World Heritage
Monument would help restore its
place in history (Contains video)

14. WHY A WORLD HERITAGE SITE?
The UNESCO recognises a particular site as World Heritage Site when at least 1 of the 10 criterion is met by that site.
One of the criteria under Cultural Criteria includes: "to bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural
tradition or to a civilization which is living or which has disappeared.“
The above criteria is met by Safdarjung’s Tomb as it has a unique place in the history of Mughal Architecture. While all other
Mughal monuments represent the power they had during their time or to commemorate the dead rulers. All such
monuments are intricately handcrafted and are considered architectural marvels. However Safdarjung’s Tomb is one such
monument based on Mughal Architecture which lacks architectural precision and is constructed of cheap material. This
signifies the state of penury of the Mughal Kings as well as the fall of the Mughal Empire. Moreover it is considered to be
the last monument constructed during Mughal Rule. Hence it deserves the recognition of a World Heritage Site.

15. RECOMMENDATI
ONS
Tourism companies can be given incentives to organise field trips to
this Heritage Site.
Government of India should promote this monument through various advertising
campaigns conducted domestically and internationally.
Light and Sound shows can be organised using the latest laser technology to attract
more tourists.
Generating the requisite awareness amongst the locals and the tourists can help
uplifting its Heritage importance. Moreover many of the respondents who didn’t visit
this monument showed keen interest to explore this unexplored heritage.
RECOMMENDATIONS

16. PICTURE
GALLERY

17. EXTERIOR VIEW OF THE SAFDARJUNG’S TOMB
INTERIOR OF THE TOMB

18. THANK YOU!