LODI GARDENS

SAUMYA WADHWA

B.ARCH 3(B)

VASTUKALA ACADEMY
INTRODUCTION
 • Lodi Gardens, located in the city of Delhi in India, is Mughal garden, a historical
landmark and park extending over an area of 90 acres. It boasts of elaborate
architectural works of the fifteenth century Sayyid and Lodi dynasties.
• The Lodi Gardens, containing the tombs of Mohammed Shah and Sikander Lodi,
Sheesh Gumbad and the Bara Gumbad, is currently under protection of the
Archeological Survey of India.

• The Lodhi Garden in central Delhi is famous for its flowers, trees, birds and
sloping lawns but before the garden there were the tombs.

• The gardens built by the Mughal emperors of India are now an integral
part of our architectural heritage. Based on the layout of the four gardens
of paradise mentioned in the Quran, this charbagh master plan divides a
garden into geometric quadrants using walkways, water pools, running
water canals, and linear flower beds.

• Mughal legacy in India has witnessed the construction of numerous such

gardens throughout the country. Sometimes they took the form of ‘Tomb
Gardens’ like the lawns of Humayun’s Tomb or The Taj Mahal, but they
always maintained a synonymity in their planning and ornamentation.
  ARCHITECTURAL 
ELEMENTS OF LODI 
GARDENS
1. AXIAL GEOMETRY
One of the key features of a Mughal garden is its highly structural geometry.
Respecting the axis is cardinal rule for implementing a Charbagh geometry. The
word literally translates to four gardens. So you begin with dividing your garden
into four equal parts using axial lines that intersect in the centre of the garden.
You can then create a paved path along the same axes.

2. A FOCAL POINT
After the intersection of the garden axes, the next element is to create a focal
point. The Shalimar Bagh has a summer pavilion and the Taj Gardens have the
Taj Mahal.
3. RUNNING WATER OR POOLS
Flowing water and pools is another common theme of a Mughal garden with
reference to the four rivers that flowed through the Garden of Eden. The joint
reflection of the sky and trees in a pool is symbolic of everything man admires in
nature, a representation of life. Mughal gardens feature canals and pools along
the axes, as well as fountains and waterfalls.

4. ORNAMENTAL DETAILING
The Mughal gardens include symbolic ornamental detailing inspired from the
Quran and family history, juxtaposed with more secular references like zodiac
symbols, numerology and local craftsmanship.
MONUMENTS IN 
LODI GARDENS
 BADA GUMBAD
• The first example in Delhi of what is called the ‘full dome’, that is, a dome which is a complete semi
circle.
• Square in plan, rises from a sixteen-sided drum.
• Outside structure would appear to have two storeys as you enter you see that it has a single chamber
magnificent high ceiling .
• Its plinth is decorated on the east, south, and west with ogee arch openings set into rectangular
frames.
• The walls of the Bara Gumbad are approx. 12 meters tall, above which a hemispherical dome on a
hexagonal drum extends another 14 meters from the roof level, for a total building height of 29
meters above ground level.
 BADA GUMBAD MOSQUE
• The Friday mosque is a single aisled, rectangular
building, approx. 30 meters (north-south) by 8 meters
(east-west).
• The doorways immediately to the side of the central
portal are about 5m wide, while those at the two ends
are approx. 1.5m.
• Each arch is finished in plaster and embellished with
intricate carved Arabic inscriptions.

MAJLIS KHANA
• Rectangular in plan, measuring about 27 meters
(north-south) by 7 seven meters (east-west).
• The building is from the common plinth through its
west wall, which is divided into five bays, mirroring
the eastern elevation of the mosque opposite it.
• Interior has 3 chambers central one is largest of 5m
others 2.5 m each.
 SHEESH GUMBAD
• Facing the Bara Gumbad is the Sheesh Gumbad, literally ‘glass dome’, so called because the dome
and parts of the facade were once completely covered with coloured glazed tiles.
• The transition from a square plan to the circular dome is achieved by the use of broad squinches
supported on stone pendetives.
• It was made similar to Bara Gumbad having square plan with a double-storeyed appearance, but
this building is somewhat different in its ornamentation.
• Topped with octagonal minarets in the corners, the exterior divides itself into two storeys with the
help of a projecting horizontal cornice.
PLAN OF LODI 
GARDENS