Habib Rahman: Maulana Azad Memorial, Jami Masjid, Delhi, 1958-59
Habib Rahman: Maulana Azad Memorial, Jami Masjid, Delhi, 1958-59 © Ram Rahman

Maulana Azad, a close associate and friend of Mahatma Gandhi, was buried in the historic setting between Shah Jahan’s Jama Masjid and the Red Fort. In keeping with the requirements set down by Jawaharlal Nehru, the design was not to conflict with the neighbouring historic monuments and represent the "humble personality" of Maulana Azad.

Location of Maulana Azad Memorial, in Old Delhi
Location of Maulana Azad Memorial, in Old Delhi: 1. Jama Masjid 2. Shahjahanabad – Walled city 3. Chandni Chowk 4. Netaji Subhash Marg 5. Red Fort 6. Salimgarh 7. River Yamuna

Set in a 67m x 67m enclosed garden, the memorial structure consists of a delicate white chhatri over the grave. The chhatri is a cross-vault, 7.5 cm thick, supported on four slender L-shaped columns.  The concrete is a mix of white cement and crushed marble, slighly polished by hand, its profile derived from the pointed Islamic arches of the Jama Masjid.1

  • 1. Chatterjee, Malay. "I. 1947 – 1959: Options after Independence, the Evolution of Contemporary Indian Architecture." In Architecture In India, Paris and Milan: Electa Moniteur, 1985. Pp. 129

This document is embedded in …

"Roots – Culture as deep-structure." In Vistāra - The Architecture of India, Catalogue of the Exhibition, edited by Carmen Kagal and MN Ashish Ganju. The Festival of India, 1986.
Chatterjee, Malay. "I. 1947 – 1959: Options after Independence, the Evolution of Contemporary Indian Architecture." In Architecture In India, 124-131. Paris and Milan: Electa Moniteur, 1985.
… (related posts)