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Sir Thomas Metcalf and Quli and Adham Khan's Tombs

Sir Thomas Theophilus Metcalfe was an employee of the British East India Company and his brother Charles was Resident to the Court of Delhi.  While the information in the archaeological park refers to Charles most other documents state that it was Thomas who brought and converted the Quli Tomb into a country residence for the monsoon season.

He used the main chamber of the tomb as his dining room and built two additional wings, only one of which is still partially standing.  He converted other old city building into guest rooms, staff quarters and stables.  He also created a formal garden which he called Dilkusha meaning ‘pleasing to the heart’ or happy heart’

A panorama taken from the roof of Quli's tomb, the Qub Minar is to the right and on the far left the dome of the Jamali Kamali Mosque is just visible above the trees.  On the horizon to the right of the cupola, the dome of Adham Khan's tomb can be seen.

Within his grounds he also built follies such as the canopy opposite the tomb and another on near the Jamali Kamali Mosque.  Two further follies are near the Qutb Minar entrance, a spiral and square stepped ziggurats. Alternatively these may have already present and just enhanced by Metcalfe.  

Another building that he adapted on his estate was a dove cote from the Lodi period (16^th C), which he turned into a boat house.  He also diverted two streams to form a lake, and a set of steps from the boat house lead up to the tomb.

The British Library has a book of paintings compiled by Metcalfe with illustrations from various Indian artists including pictures of Dilkshua.   http://www.bl.uk/collections/delhibook.html

Quili and Adham Khans’ Tombs (16^th C)

Muhammad Quli Khan was the brother of Adham Khan both of whom were foster brothers of Emperor Akbar.  Their mother had been the wet nurse of Akbar.  They later became generals in the Army.  Adham Khan got into a dispute with a favourite general of Akbar and had him killed.  This greatly angered Akbar who ordered that Adham be executed by throwing him from the ramparts of the fort in Agra .  He survived the first fall so the Emperor ordered that he be thrown again and this time he died from his injuries.

 Photo:Fiona

Naturally Adham’s mother was greatly upset by these events and went to Akbar and requested permission to build a tomb for him.  It was built in 1562.  The tomb can be found next to the Mehrauli bus station.  It is much larger than his brother’s Qili’s tomb, and was built over the ruins of Lal Kot’s walls.  It also was converted by a British Gentleman, Blake in 1830, as a residence and later it was used as a rest home.  The tomb is also called Bhulbhulaiyan.

Quili’s tomb is more modest in size, though the exact date of building is unclear.  Recently restored there is evidence that Hindu temple remains were still being used for building in the 16^th century.

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