The Lodi dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate has contributed immensely to the architectural heritage of the city. A great number of beautiful mosques and tombs were constructed during this period, and stand today as splendid examples of late sultanate architecture. However, only a handful of buildings from this period – specifically a few structures within the Lodi Gardens – feature in popular narratives of Delhi’s built heritage. Many other equally important monuments remain scattered across the urban fabric of the modern metropolis, unsung and unappreciated.
This walk will weave through three mosques built during Lodi rule, between the late 15th and early 16th centuries – the Muhammad Wali Masjid, the Mosque of Darwesh Shah, and the Nili Masjid. Despite being fine specimens of Lodi mosque architecture, they remain largely unknown and left out of the dominant narratives of Sultanate architecture. The walk will focus on appreciating the architectural value of these beautiful but lesser-known mosques. Participants will engage with these monuments primarily from an architectural standpoint, against the backdrop of how architectural and historical narratives play major roles in defining the ‘value’ of buildings.
So, join us as we celebrate the uncelebrated!
This guided tour is free.
