Barakhamba

Barakhamba, also known as Barakhamba Monument, is a 14th-century tomb building from the Tughlaq period that is located in New Delhi, India. Barakhamba means '12 Pillars' in Urdu and Hindi languages. The name has also been used for an upscale modern metro road named the "Barakhamba road" in Connaught Place at the heart of the city. Barakhamba monument is a tomb of an unknown individual, a high nobleman. It is located in the Nizamuddin heritage area at the entrance road to the Nizamuddin Auliya and is under restoration.Monument structureThe tomb has twelve pillars and has three arched openings on each face. The verandah (passage), laid around the central chamber, has four domed apartments at each corner. The structure is located in an open park and is easily visible and accessible to public. It lies on the opposite side of 7th Hole of the Delhi Golf Club course and on the main road from Subz Burz circle or Nizamuddin circle to the World Heritage Monument - the Humayun tomb.RestorationThe monument was neglected and subject to occupation by squatters until recently. It was also defaced by spit of paan (betel leaf) and graffiti on the walls by vandals. The squatters have been removed and the area has been made more secure. Efforts are being made to restore the monument to its original glory. There are also plans for the park and the garden around the tomb to be redone. As a first step, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has started removing the stains and scars on the defaced faces of the monument using chemical treatment using an application of a special paste called multani mitti pack on the monument several times to erase marks and to restore the original appearance. The next stage of restoration involves structural conservation work on the monument.