Medieval graffiti inside Gol Gumbad

The restoration work at Gol Gumbad near the Lodhi Road flyover has revealed medieval graffiti on the walls of this ill-maintained monument.

It is not only monuments in Lodhi Garden that are revealing things that had not been noticed so far. The restoration work at Gol Gumbad near the Lodhi Road flyover has revealed medieval graffiti on the walls of this ill-maintained monument.

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A small figurine, carrying a sword, atop an animal that appears like a horse has been found on the upper part of the tomb’s interior. Surrounding the figurine is a figure that looks like an old fort.

The Gol Gumbad is a tomb that belongs to the Lodhi period and was built in the 15th century. It is one of the protected monuments under the Archaeological Survey of India’s care.

The latest finding was accidental. The officials of the Delhi chapter of INTACH were cleaning the interior walls of the monument as part of the conservation work ahead of the Commonwealth Games when they spotted the graffiti.

“We expect the graffiti to be at least 200 years old. Art historians will also take a look at the figures to ascertain the date,” said AGK Menon, convener of INTACH Delhi Chapter.