The tomb of Dadi-Poti and other lesser known monuments at Green Park (N.Delhi)

The tomb of Dadi-Poti

As one takes the road towards Hauz Khas village from its junction at Delhi-Mehrauli road (adjacent to Aurobindo Place Market), on the right hand side, there are two tombs on the elevated ground, one larger than the other.  According to the notice board, put up by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), these are the tombs of Dadi and Poti.  These structures, built of rubble and plastered, follow the square pattern, typical of Lodi period (1451-1526 A.D), with openings on the east north and south.

Barah Khambha

It is not known who lies buried inside these graves; however the chances are that they might be the members of royal family as during that period, graves built on higher platforms were of people belonging to the nobility. The larger one is considered to be the tomb of Biwi (mistress) or Dadi (grand-mother), and the smaller one belonging to the Bandi (maid-servant) or Poti (grand –daughter).     

Barah Khambha

There is no account of how Dadi and Poti died at the same time. Though there are few stories which try to find the lost link. There is a possibility that the grand-mother and the grand-daughter might be travelling to a religious or social gathering when the highway robbers have attacked them and ladies died protecting each other. However if one considers these graves belonging to those of mistress and maid, then the story could have been a different one. 

Diagonally across the road (from the Dadi-Poti’s tomb), there is another structure known as Barah-Khambha (Twelve Pillars), again belonging to the Lodhi period. It is a square tomb with each side measuring 10.50 meters.  Standing inside one can clearly see that there are 12 pillars of varying width that support the roof. At one time there were several cenotaphs inside this building and there are a number of other graves outside it. There are other interesting constructions around this building—a well, a bastion like structure and a square block like structure with a place to hold a lamp.    

Sakri Gumti

There are several other smaller monuments of varying sizes located within the Green Park and its neighbourhood, with names like- Biran-ka-Gumbad (brother’s dome), Chhoti Gumti (small dome), Sakri Gumti (narrow dome) etc. Centuries have passed and even today the facts behind these monuments are not known to us. They stand there, looking directly into our eyes and teasing and challenging us to solve the riddle and find the truth behind them. 

Few more photographs of these monuments can be seen at the following link:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/invertedimages/sets/72157631953980501/