Zafar Mahal, Summer palace in Mehrauli, India.
Zafar Mahal is a three-story palace built with red sandstone and marble accents, topped by a viewing chamber with multiple rooms. The complex also includes the Moti Masjid mosque within its grounds and features the Hathi Gate, an entrance designed to allow passage of decorated elephants during royal processions.
The palace was built in the 18th century as a retreat for Akbar Shah II during a period when rulers were creating leisure spaces near Delhi. The entrance gate was later reconstructed in the early 19th century, showing how the site remained in use across different reigns and periods of Mughal rule.
The palace grounds hosted the Phool Walon Ki Sair, a flower festival that brought together gardening communities for celebration and trade. This tradition connects the site to local customs and shows how such spaces functioned as social gathering points beyond their royal purposes.
The site is relatively quiet and allows visitors to explore the palace and mosque without crowds. Multiple viewing areas and sections require time to walk through, so planning for a leisurely visit helps in appreciating the structures and architectural details.
The palace grounds contain the graves of several Mughal emperors, making it a site of dynastic significance. Notably, one later emperor wished to be buried here but was instead laid to rest far away, a detail that speaks to the shifting fortunes and displacement of the royal lineage.
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