Episode-2 Mughal era monuments and other structures in Sunder Nursery
Arched platform
This 16th century, Mughal Period structure was probably part of a mosque. It features a raised platform with five arched entrance bays on each side. This platform marks the transition between the landscaped garden zone and the wilderness zone of the park. The structure has undergone conservation efforts, including the restoration of its ornamental plasterwork
Lotus Pond
The Lotus Pond is a restored 17th-century water body that was once part of the Sunder Burj and Sunder Wala Mahal Garden complex. The lotus pond was uncovered during excavations in 2009. The pond has a distinctive multi-foliate design, with two courses of masonry. The bottom course has 8 petal-shaped cusps, and the top course has a 16-sided floral pattern. The pond has been restored to its original function and now features blooming lotus flowers, adding to the beauty of the garden.
Mughal era well
Sunder Nursery has five Mughal era wells that have been desilted and conserved.
Mughal Garden Pavilion
It is a dreamy structure to the east of the nursery that might have been a mausoleum or a garden pavilion, and was most likely built in the late 17th or 18th century. It continues the same design as the Sunder Burj, but is easy to miss because of its relatively smaller scale. Its reinstalled jaalis and chhajjas, charbagh layout, surrounding flowering plants and trees, and visiting peafowl make it the perfect place to pause on walks around the garden.
Azim Ganj Sarai
The Azim Ganj Sarai is a 16th century Mughal Sarai, that originally stood on the Grand Trunk Road connecting significant Mughal monuments of Purana Qila and Humayun’s Tomb. Sarais also known as ‘Caravan sarais’ were built along the trade routes for providing amenities for travellers, traders, and craftsmen.
Today, Azim Ganj Sarai stands inside the Delhi zoo abutting the boundary of Sunder Nursery and within 300 meters from the buffer zone of the World Heritage Site of Humayun’s Tomb. There are plans to demolish the wall and incorporate the Sarai within the Sunder nursery complex.
The nursery can be reached by the Violet Metro line - Jawaharlal Nehru stadium. U can take a cab or auto from there. Buses and auto rickshaws ply regularly to the nursery. If you are coming by your own car there is ample parking space available
The place tends to get crowded during the day and hence is best visited during early mornings. Clean well maintaine dwashrooms are there. Carnatic cafe is excellent eating joint her
