Fame through a tomb; Azim Khan's Tomb in New Delhi

It is a Mughal-era mystery. Who was Azim Khan who built this tomb for himself? He is believed to be a nobleman or maybe a general in Akbar’s army. Apparently, after many military expeditions, he decided to retire and build a mausoleum for himself. The change in Azim Khan came about as he became a devotee of saint Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia, who appeared to him in a dream and asked him to give up the life of a soldier. When people started revering Azim Khan, he built a steep ascent to his abode to dissuade them from flocking there.

This tomb, which can be spotted from the Qutb complex, was built in the early 17th century. It is a plain square domed-structure coated with plaster and decorated with incised work. The grave stone has disappeared. The ASI has built a staircase-like pathway for visitors has also been built to provide easy access to the tomb on the Mehrauli bypass road.

This memorial was a favourite picnic sport for British soldiers during the Easter holidays because it provided them an opportunity to exhibit their skill in climbing and its steep ascent meant they could have some privacy.

Getting there:
Nearest railway station: New Delhi, via Kasturba Gandhi Marg, about 7 km.
Nearest airport: Indira Gandhi International Airport, via Rao Tula Ram Marg, about 16 km