Landscape Restoration of the Tomb of Abdur Rahim Khan I Khanan

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    Earth removed
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    Citrus and indigenous plantation

Rahim’s grand mausoleum would have been a garden tomb as with Humayun’s Tomb and Taj Mahal. Though the original landscape setting has been lost, an indication of how grand the northern gardens would have been is provided by the revelation of rooftop tanks. Rahim, who is known to have built elaborate water lifting structures in Burhanpur would have no doubt incorporated such a system here.

Scientific clearance of earth was carried out in an effort to reveal any foundations of enclosure walls, remains of garden pathways, water features etc. Having found no archaeological evidence of the same, and in view of this a minimal char-bagh has been proposed. Though the original landscape setting has been lost, an indication of how grand the northern gardens would have been is provided by the revelation of rooftop tanks. Rahim, who is known to have built elaborate water lifting structures in Burhanpur would have no doubt incorporated such a system here. In the space available a small formal garden is to be created to allow visitor movement and views to the monument. The garden will be planted with a citrus orchard and other plants known to have been favoured by the Mughals.

Conservation works will continue through 2016-17 as per the approved Conservation Plan and any further directions from the ASI Core Committee and recommendations of the ongoing external peer review.