Lal Gumbad, Delhi

Located in the neighborhood of Malviya Nagar in South Delhi, Lal Gumbad (or Red Dome) is the grave mausoleum of Sheikh Kabir-ud-din Auliya, a Sufi / Muslim saint. He was a disciple of Shaikh Chirag-i-Dilli, the spiritual successor of Nizamuddin Auliya. The saint lived during the reign Emperor Mohammed-bin-Tughlaq of the Tughlaq dynasty. He died around 1397.

The tomb is situated within a walled complex comprising a gateway, five ruined mosques, and several open-air graves. The main structure is in relatively good condition, but the other buildings and graves lack adequate care. The doors to the interior of the saint’s tomb are locked. The wooden doors, which remain mostly locked, have their bases charred, possibly due burning of earthen lamps and incense sticks at the shrine.

Lal Gumbad is also known as Rakabwala Gumbad. A golden finial once crowned the main shrine. It was stolen by thieves many years ago. Two iron rings (Raqaabs) on the western exterior wall of the tomb are believed to have been set up by thieves to steal the gold finial.

Architecturally, Lal Gumbad resembles Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq’s tomb, who died in 1324. A Sufi / Muslim saint remains buried within a grand structure befitting a ruler. According to lore, the tomb was originally built by Firoz Shah Tughlaq for himself, which was then given for the saint’s burial. Firoz Shah died eight years before the Sufi saint at Jaunpur in Uttar Pradesh. The king's tomb is located in Jaunpur.