Lal Gumbad: The Forgotten Tomb in Malviya Nagar

A Saint’s Resting Place

Lal Gumbad is the final resting place of Sheikh Kabir-ud-din Auliya, a 14th-century Sufi saint. He was a disciple of Shaikh Chirag-e-Dilli, who himself was part of the spiritual lineage of the legendary Nizamuddin Auliya — one of Delhi’s most revered Sufi figures.

Despite being connected to such an important spiritual legacy, very little is known about Kabir-ud-din’s life. He lived during the Tughlaq era, a time when Delhi was undergoing great political and architectural change under rulers like Mohammed bin Tughlaq and Firoz Shah Tughlaq.

The Story of a Stolen Ornament

Local legends say that Lal Gumbad was once topped with a beautiful golden finial — a decorative crown-like ornament. Over time, it was stolen by thieves. If you visit the tomb today, you’ll still notice two old iron rings embedded in the western wall of the structure. These are believed to have been left behind by those very thieves, who supposedly used them to climb up and steal the gold.

Architecture That Feels Royal

Architecturally, Lal Gumbad doesn’t resemble typical Sufi dargahs, which are usually open structures with domed chhatris. Instead, its solid, sloping red sandstone walls and fortified look closely resemble royal tombs from the same era — especially that of Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq.

This has led some historians and enthusiasts to speculate that Lal Gumbad may have originally been built as a royal tomb — possibly even for Emperor Firoz Shah Tughlaq — before being repurposed for the Sufi saint.

Inside the Tomb

The doors to the tomb are always locked, but if you peek inside, you’ll see nine old graves, dim light, and signs of devotion — burnt incense, clay lamps, and offerings. Despite its forgotten status, some locals still visit quietly to pay their respects.

The Forgotten Complex

Surrounding the tomb is a walled complex, once home to five mosques and multiple open-air graves. Today, much of it lies in ruins. Wild grass has grown over what was once a sacred space, and without any signage or conservation effort, it’s easy to miss the importance of what you’re looking at.

No tourists come here. No information boards guide the visitor. And yet, Lal Gumbad holds within its walls the echoes of a saint’s silence, the ambition of an empire, and the mystery of Delhi’s ever-changing identity.