The Batashewala Complex, abutting Humayun’s Tomb Complex stands within the World Heritage Site buffer zone. The
complex comprises: Bara Batashewala Mahal; Chota Batashewala Mahal; an enclosure
wall; and, an unknown Mughal tomb all constructed in the late 16th – early 17th
century. These buildings comprise a unique Mughal era Islamic funerary complex
unlike any other in India.
As with the abutting Humayun’s Tomb World Heritage Site, that stands within a walled garden enclosure, the structures known as Bara Batashewala and Chota Batashewala Mahals were actually tombs located within an arcaded stone masonry enclosure wall (over 1'000m long). The domed Mughal era tomb, (referred to as unknown tomb) standing at the eastern end of the complex, stood on an elevated ‘fort- like’ platform, only fragments of which are now visible. Since I950’s the Batashewala Complex has been in the ownership of Bharat Scouts for use as a camp ground. After over a decade of persistent requests by conservation groups the ownership was transferred by the Government of India to the Archaeological Survey of India in 2010 thus now allowing the possibility of conservation of the monuments that stand within complex as a whole and in an integrated manner with other monuments that sit in adjacent complexes.
Source: Aga Khan Trust for Culture
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