Chaunsath Khamba
Located just behind the simple Mirza Ghalib’s tomb near the intersection of Mathura Road and Lodi Road, lies the tomb of Mirza Aziz Kokaltash and many others, popularly known as Chaunsath Khamba. Mirza Aziz Kokaltash was the son of Atgah Khan. The tomb is not far from Atgah Khan’s tomb and lies east of it and very near to the Nizamuddin shrine. The inscription on the main grave informs visitors that the tomb was built in 1623-24.
As the name suggests the main feature of Chaunsath Khamba is that sixty-four pillars support the roof. (Chaun sath is 64 in the Hindi and Urdu languages). The structure was built earlier as a hall and was later converted into a tomb. There is a beautiful marble pavilion in the tomb, which is pure white in color. The architectural beauty of this structure makes it worth a visit. There are a number of other unidentified graves within the tomb complex.
Surrounded by an enclosure, the main entrance to the tomb is from an imposing arched gateway, adjacent to the famous Ghalib Academy. The Ghalib’s Academy was established by the government and has an extensive library of Urdu Literature. It also houses a well-maintained museum.
