NEW DELHI: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has begun conservation work on the 16th-century Afsarwala tomb and mosque, located inside the Humayun’s Tomb complex.The tomb, along with other structures, is part of the Unesco World Heritage site.According to ASI officials, the identity of the ‘afsar’ or officer who raised these buildings is not known. However, one of the graves inside the tomb bears the figures 974, which could refer to the Hijri year corresponding to 1566-67. Both the mosque and the tomb may have been built around that time, said the officials.Nadeem Hussain, ASI’s conservation assistant at Humayun’s Tomb, said that several stones at Afsarwala mosque had fallen, cracks had appeared on its walls and the plaster was peeling off. The path leading to the mosque towards Arab ki Sarai is also badly damaged and causing inconvenience to visitors as the lime concrete had decayed and used mortar particles were being blown away by wind to other areas of the monument.“The original lime plaster layers that survived will be retained. Additional lime plaster will be carefully matched with the original to restore only the missing portions,” said Hussain.The work, which was started in the first week of January, is likely to be completed by the end of February. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 23 lakh, said ASI officials.“For strengthening and filling the gaps on the walls, we are using a mixture of belgiri, jaggery and gum in water,” Hussain said, adding that Delhi’s quarries will be used for replacing stones.The mosque lies on a raised platform within the eastern enclosure of Arab Serai at the complex. Its prayer chamber has three arched openings and the central bay has a dome roof. To the north of the mosque is a long and dilapidated hall with arched openings.At the south-eastern corner of the mosque, on the same raised platform stands an octagonal tomb with a double dome. The mausoleum is built from grey quartz and lined with red sandstone and marble.The path leading to Afsarwala mosque and tomb has been closed to tourists till conservation work is on, said officials.
Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/16th-century-mosque-and-grave-at-humayuns-tomb-go-under-knife/articleshow/97959466.cms
