Bara Lao ka Gumbad, Delhi

Bara Lao ka Gumbad is a tomb located in the Basant Lok area of South Delhi. The tomb is of great historical significance as it is believed to have been constructed during the Lodhi era. It is a great architectural example from the Lodhi dynasty era, which ruled over Delhi from the 15th to the 16th century.

The Bara Lao ka Gumbad is an impressive structure that stands out in the modern surroundings of Basant Lok. The tomb is located in a small park and is surrounded by a well-manicured garden. The tomb is an octagonal structure that stands on a raised platform. It is made of red sandstone and is topped by a dome. The walls of the tomb are adorned with intricate carvings and inscriptions.

The mausoleum is said to be the tomb of a minister or a nobility of the Lodhi dynasty. The name Bara Lao means "Big Lao". The name is believed to have originated from the size of the tomb. The identity of the person buried in the tomb is unknown.

According to another theory, the name "Bara Lao ka Gumbad" is derived from the Hindi language, where "bara" (or "barah") means twelve and "lao" means tomb. The tomb is believed to have been built as a burial place for twelve people.

The tomb has undergone renovations over the years, with as early as 2021.

The Bara Lao ka Gumbad is one of several monuments in Delhi that have been renovated. The renovation of these monuments helps preserve the historical and cultural heritage of Delhi but modifications and reconstruction is not always welcome. Modifications and additions to historical monuments does plaster the real history with a glaze of beauty.

Bara Lao ka Gumbad, a tomb built inside the Bara Dari, gained notoriety in 2009 when a family was found to have been living inside it for over three generations, destroying the graves in the process. Ahead of the 2010 Commonwealth Games, the Delhi Development Authority and the state Department of Archaeology removed the squatters and repaired the monument.

The Bara Lao ka Gumbad is a rectangular building with a nine-bayed central hall and a massive dome with leaf-like protrusions atop it.