Sunder Nursery | Heritage Park Nizamuddin Delhi

This spring, Delhi will not only liven up with the multihued flora blooming everywhere but will also witness the reincarnation of a 16^th-century heritage monument. A once-forgotten Mughal Garden—often known as Sunder Nursery located near Humayun’s Tomb in Nizamuddin—is now open to public in its beautifully restored glory, just in time for the blossom season!

An Oasis of Freshness in the Heart of Delhi

sunder-nursery

The 90-acre (36-hectare) heritage garden features a stunning pedestrian central axis that leads up to the Mughal tomb, long sandstone pathways in picnic gardens, fountains, nursery beds, and 15 monuments that date back to the 16^th century. The central axis of the park resembles the architectural styles of the Humayun’s Tomb (which is believed to be the inspiration for Taj Mahal). The lake in the northern portion makes for a stunning spectacle amidst the lush covers of the park, and the amphitheatre in the centre is ideal for cultural events.

With 280 native tree species (making it Delhi’s first arboretum or botanical garden dedicated to trees), 4,200 mapped trees, 20,000 saplings, a biodiversity zone spanning 30 acres, 20 acres of nursery beds, 80 bird species, 36 butterfly species and 15 historical monuments, the place quite literally comes as a breath of fresh air in the middle of the chaotic and polluted capital.

Precious 16^th Century Architecture Restored

mirza-muzaffar-tomb — The interiors of Mirza Muzaffar Hussain’s Tomb before and after restoration: Geometric patterns in incised plaster-work were restored by master craftsmen using traditional tools, materials and techniques that would have been used by the Mughal era builders.
Image and caption courtesy: Aga Khan Trust for Culture

cieling-sunder-nursery — The restored ornamental domed ceiling of Sunder Burj: Carried out with the support of the US Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation, this required over a year's work by master craftsmen working with traditional tools and building crafts. Lakkarwala Burj, the Mughal Tomb and Mirza Muzaffar Hussain's tomb have similar profusely ornamented interiors.
Image and caption courtesy: Aga Khan Trust for Culture

Read more: 7 Secret Places in Delhi

It Only Gets Better…

The Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) is working with the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), to designate Sunder Nursery, Humayun’s Tomb, the National Zoological Park (the Delhi Zoo) and the Purana Qila (the Old Fort) into one large public park, which—hold your breath—will be the largest in Asia!

Image courtesy: Aga Khan Trust for Culture

Fact File:

Where: CPWD, Hazrat Nizamuddin, New Delhi, Delhi 110013 [adjacent to Humayun’s Tomb Complex and Nizamuddin Basti, the Mughal Grand Trunk Road]

Timings: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sundays closed.

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Mayank Kumar Follow

Prefers Bukowski and Gulzar over Shakespeare and Tagore. And nights over daytime. Possesses wit that offends more than it impresses. Anti-social and friendly in the same breath. Miniature souvenir and stationery hoarder. Desperately trying to bring being nice in vogue.