Sahukar Gumbad / Chor Gumbad

Sahukar Gumbad or Chor Gumbad in Narnaul, Haryana (India)) (Photo by Haryana Tourism, https://haryanatourism.gov.in/Destination/chor-gumbad)

The tomb of Afghan ruler Jamal Khan lies in the northwestern part of the city of Narnaul in Haryana, India. Being located outside the city, it became a shelter and refuge for thieves, resulting in its nickname as the "Chor Gumbad" or "Sahukar Gumbad". The large circular dome has a raised spherical roof, giving the appearance of two floors, but the upper floor is actually a verandah with 20 doors. The monument has one gate on three sides, with the western side being an exception.

To reach Sahukar Gumbad (Chor Gumbad), the nearest airport is Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, which is 130 kilometers away. The nearest railway station is Narnaul railway station, which is 3 kilometers away, and the nearest bus stop is Narnaul bus stop, which is 1.5 kilometers away.

The magnificent Chor Gumbad stands atop a rocky hill to the north of the town and has now been transformed into a park by the district administration. The location of the Chor Gumbad is so prominent that it has become the hallmark of Narnaul. This large monument is well-planned and has a square shape with a single chamber and four minarets at each corner. The open veranda encircling it creates an illusion of a double-storied structure when viewed from outside. It is believed that this structure may have served as a hiding place for robbers and bandits, eventually leading to its present-day name: Chor Gumbad. It was originally built by an Afghan named Jamal Khan as his tomb, and its low dome and arches suggest that it was constructed during the reign of Firoz Shah Tughlaq (1351-88 AD). However, there is no grave inside the tomb presently.