Tomb of Adham Khan, 16th-century mausoleum in Mehrauli, India
The Tomb of Adham Khan is an octagonal mausoleum built in red sandstone in Mehrauli, South Delhi, topped by a single broad dome with open verandahs wrapping around each face of the structure. The interior holds a central burial chamber decorated with stone carvings, while thick walls contain narrow passages connecting the surrounding spaces.
Emperor Akbar ordered this tomb built in 1562 for Adham Khan, his foster brother and military commander, following his execution after he killed a senior court official. The structure belongs to an early phase of Mughal building in India, when the style still drew heavily from Lodhi-era architecture.
The tomb is locally known as "Bhul Bhulaiya", a Hindi phrase meaning "labyrinth", because the interior chambers can be disorienting to walk through. Visitors who explore the inner rooms often find themselves turning back more than once before finding the right passage.
The monument is close to Qutub Minar metro station and can be reached on foot through the lanes of Mehrauli village. Entry is free and the site is open during standard daylight hours, so an early morning visit tends to be the quietest time to look around.
During the 19th century, the British used the building at different times as a residence, a rest house, and a police station before it was eventually recognized as a protected monument. Some marks left by these later uses can still be spotted on the interior walls if you look closely.
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