Sunder Nursery

Sunder Nursery is in the heart of the city of Delhi. It occupies an area of 90 acres and hase 20 heritage structures, of which six are UNESCO World Heritage monuments. Parts of the complex stand within the buffer zone of Humayun’s Tomb World Heritage Site. Conservation of the 15 monuments that stand within the Park and have also undergone the same careful conservation by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC)r as Humayun’s Tomb.

Restoring Sunder Nursery's Historic Grandeur

Three of the nine Mughal era structures that stand within Sunder Nursery are considered to be of national significance viz. Sundarwala Burj, Sundarwala Mahal and the Lakkarwala Burj. As per the 2016 revision by UNESCO these three monuments too are a part of Humayun’s Tomb World Heritage Site – making it one of the densest ensemble of 16th century Tomb gardens in India.
Conservation works on these monuments has been carried out through a craft-based approach strengthening the age-old building skills, master craftsmen work alongside architects and engineers to match the work of their forefathers using traditional tools, techniques and materials.
Substantial conservation works have included restoration of original intricate plaster and ornamental patterns at the Sundarwala and Lakkarwala Burj, major structural repairs to Sundarwala Mahal and the Garden Pavilion. In 2010, following a Ground Penetrating radar Survey carried out in Sunder Nursery, a 17th century Mughal water tank was discovered. This Lotus Pond, south of the Sundarwala Mahal, has a unique multi- foliate design which has now been restored to its original function and provided a picturesque garden setting.

Lotus Pond

During detailed documentation of the pond it was found that it comprises of two courses of masonry. Bottom course of masonry is formed of 8 petal shaped cusps followed by a 16 sided articulate floral pattern in top course.

Sunderwala Mahal

Conservation and landscape development works on Sundarwala Mahal, a unique and symmetrical 16th century tomb building and its Gardens were supported by HUDCO, and were completed in 2015.

Mughal Pavilion

Standing on the eastern side of Sunder Nursery, amidst dense vegetation, this exquisite structure was barely visible until the conservation works commenced in 2008. The pavilion is unique in Delhi on account of its architectural style, scale and ornamental plasterwork.

Arched Platform

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Lakkarwala Burj

Located just north of Sundarwala Mahal, this Mughal period arched platform is a significant architectural structure and was also recommended to be protected by the ASI by Zafar Hasan in the 1920’s. However, since being recorded by INTACH in the year 2000, the mosque has suffered tremendous damage

Sunderwala Burj

The Outstanding Universal Value of the Humayun’s Tomb World Heritage Site is due to this area being an ensemble of 16th century garden tombs of which Sunder Burj is a prominent example. Conservation works on Sunder Burj were carried out in partnership with the Archaeological Survey of India and with support from US Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation.

De-silting of Mughal period well

Removing decades of rubble and deposits is more challenging and dangerous than digging a new well as there is always a fear of collapse and workers have to be confined to within the well. As part of the process to desilt the wells, pulleys were used to lift stones and earth thrown in with a basket filled by well-diggers who descend into the well each morning and remain there through the day.