Day 2. Lodi Gardens - 15th century tombs of the Sayyid and Lodi dynasties

Spread over 90 acres (360,000 m²), Lodi Gardens contains Mohammed Shah's Tomb, Sikander Lodi's Tomb, Sheesh Gumbad and Bara Gumbad, architectural works of the 15th century Sayyid and Lodis, a Pashtun dynasty which ruled much of Northern India during the 16th century.

It is beautiful and serene, and is a hotspot for morning walks for the Delhiites. A favourite haunt for joggers, yogi enthusiasts, political bigwigs accompanied with their bodyguards and families who come to picnic on weekends.

The tomb of Mohammed Shah, the last of the Sayyid dynasty rulers, the earliest of the tombs in the garden, was built in 1444 by Ala-ud-din Alam Shah as a tribute to Mohammed Shah. As there is little architecture from these two periods remaining in India, Lodi Gardens is an important place of preservation. The architecture is characterised by the octagonal chamber, with stone chhajjas (projecting or overhanging eaves, usually supported on large carved brackets) on the roof and guldastas (tall decorative spires) on the corners.

Another tomb is that of Sikander Lodi, which is similar to Mohammed Shah's tomb, though without the chhatris (elevated, dome-shaped pavilions). It was built by his son Ibrahim Lodi in 1517, the last Sultan of Delhi from the Lodi dynasty. He was defeated by Babur, First battle of Panipat in 1526, laying the foundation of the Mughal Empire.

Under the Mughals, major renovations would often take place, depending on what occasions they would use the gardens for. Under Akbar the Great, the garden was used as an observatory and to keep records in a purpose built library.

In the centuries, after the 15th century Sayyid and Lodi dynasties, two villages grew around the monuments, but the villagers were relocated in 1936 in order to create the gardens. During British Raj, it was landscaped by Lady Willingdon, wife of Governor-General of India, Marquess of Willingdon, and hence named the 'Lady Willingdon Park' upon its inauguration on April 9, 1936. In 1947, after Independence, it was given its present name, Lodi Gardens.