Delhi, the capital city of India is home to a very large number of monuments. Some stand tall, intact, in place, gloriously like they did in the past, some are in ruins and some have been restored to be brought back to life. In this series, about the Tomb Of Abdur Rahim Khan-i-Khanah, the monument with the grave of Rahim Das, I will be sharing more facts about the poet, his life story and the monument along with the detailed shots of this monument.
The Tomb of Abdur Rahim Khan-i-Khanah is a garden tomb with gardens on all sides. A concept similar to all other monuments of the Mughal era, the gardens are smaller compared to those in the tombs of emperors and emperesses. The monument is symmetrical on all sides and has a balanced look unlike the Safdarjung Tomb that looks elongated. This monument was originally made of red sandstone and white marble most of which were plundered for building the Safdarjung Tomb.
Rahim Das or Khanzada Mirza Khan Abdul Rahim Khan-e-Khana was Born in Delhi during the rule of Mughal Emperor Akbar. Infact, he was one of the nine gems of Emperor Akbar.
रूठे सुजन मनाइए, जो रूठे सौ बार.
रहिमन फिरि फिरि पोइए, टूटे मुक्ता हार||
रहिमन फिरि फिरि पोइए, टूटे मुक्ता हार||
Rahim Das Ji is a well-known poet who is known for his 'Dohas'. This Monument in New Delhi, The Tomb Of Abdur Rahim Khan-i-Khanah is dedicated to this poet.
रहिमन धागा प्रेम का, मत तोरो चटकाय.
टूटे पे फिर ना जुरे, जुरे गाँठ परी जाय||
.
This is the most common doha of Rahim Das Ji and the following fact about this place very uncommon.
This is first monument built in India that is the symbol of Love.... not Taj Mahal. Built before the white marble wonder of the world, The Tomb of Abdur Rahim Khan-i-Khanah was built by Rahim Dasji for his beloved wife. He was himself burried here later.
टूटे पे फिर ना जुरे, जुरे गाँठ परी जाय||
.
This is the most common doha of Rahim Das Ji and the following fact about this place very uncommon.
This is first monument built in India that is the symbol of Love.... not Taj Mahal. Built before the white marble wonder of the world, The Tomb of Abdur Rahim Khan-i-Khanah was built by Rahim Dasji for his beloved wife. He was himself burried here later.
Rahim Das ji was a poet and not just the best of his times but a poet who is remembered after ages.
Rahim Das ji wrote about the truth of life and depth of existence in simpler words. He was a poet who wrote in the Braj language which was the language of the commoners rather than writing in persian, urdu or other more ornamental languages.
Rahim Das Ji was not just a poet, he was also an important soldier in the army and educated the sons of the Emperor. He was himself the son of Bairam Khan, Emperor Akbar's uncle, tutor and regent after the death of Humayun.
This is the intricate pattern on the interior of the main complex. Look at how symmetrical these designs are.
Coming to the location of this monument, the Tomb of Abdur Rahim Khan-i-Khanah is quite near to the Humayun's Tomb and Nizamuddin area. It is known that in the earlier times, the gardens of this monument extended to the gardens in Humayun's Tomb. The monument of the poet is located in close proximity of the resting place of various other iconic poets of various eras.
जे सुलगे ते बुझ गए, बुझे ते सुलगे नाहिं।
‘रहिमन’ दाहे प्रेम के, बुझि-बुझिकैं सुलगाहिं॥
‘रहिमन’ दाहे प्रेम के, बुझि-बुझिकैं सुलगाहिं॥
The intricately designed ceilings of the tomb of Abdur Rahim Khan-i-Khanah
The Tomb under restoration in 2019
