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Shish Gumbad, New Delhi (India)

Shish Gumbad, also spelt Shisha Gumbad, is a tomb from the Lodi dynasty and is thought to have possibly been constructed between 1489 and 1517 CE; the historian Simon Digby has argued on the basis of an inscription in the adjoining mosque that it was completed in 1494 CE. The Shish Gumbad (glass dome) houses graves, whose occupants are not unequivocally identifiable. Historians have suggested, the structure might have been dedicated either to an unknown family, which was part of the Lodi family and of Sikandar Lodi's court, or to Bahlul Lodi (died 12 July 1489) himself, who was chief of the Afghan Lodi tribe, founder and Sultan of the Lodi dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate.

Shish Gumbad is situated in the Lodi Gardens in Delhi and the area where the tomb is situated was formally called village Khairpur.

The exact date of construction of Shish Gumbad is not known. There are four monuments (tombs) in the Lodi Gardens including the Shish Gumbad. The oldest of the four tombs is the tomb of Muhammad Shah (who belonged to the Sayyid dynasty). Shah's tomb was constructed in 1444 CE by Ala-ud-din Alam Shah. During the rule of Sikander Lodi, the Bara Gumbad and adjacent mosque were constructed. Sikander Lodi's tomb was built by Ibrahim Lodi in 1517. The Shish Gumbad is said to have been constructed between 1489-1517 CE by Ibrahim Lodi.

Among historians there is no agreement on who the occupants of the graves inside the structure are. The Shish Gumbad might have been dedicated either to an unknown family, which was part of the Lodi family and of Sikandar Lodi's court, or to Bahlul Lodi (died 12 July 1489) himself, who was chief of the Afghan Lodi tribe, and founder and Sultan of the Lodi dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate.

Initially, all the monuments were built independently and were not in one confine. In early 20th century, a park was developed which was inaugurated by Lady Willingdon on 9 Apr 1936 bringing the four monuments in one confine.

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Uploaded on May 9, 2025
Taken on May 3, 2025