Sunder Nursery: Delhi’s Emerald Heritage Garden | A Must-Visit Green Escape
In the heart of New Delhi breathes this spectacular Sunder Nursery. This nursery is situated near the historic Humayun’s Tomb. This is a heritage park spread in a vast area of 90 acres that holds perfectly history, culture, and nature in its lap.
The park was originally established as an experimental nursery for the British in the 20th century, although now it has been turned as a public space to provide peaceful escape from the city’s chaos.
Why should you visit the Sunder Nursery?
Sunder Nursery is not just a beautiful public space but it is a model for sustainable urban development. This project is focused on conservation, sustainability, and community engagement.
One not only enjoys the peaceful time here but also engages with the new idea of future urban green spaces where you can witness.
Now let’s learn more about Sunder Nursery, up close.
Architectural Beauty of Sunder Nursery
Sunder Nursery holds important not only for the sustainable approach, but also because of the rare architectural beauty it conserves. It has a great influence architecturally from the Mughal era of India.
Preservation of Mughal-era Monuments
Sunder Nursery complex has around 15 historical monuments, giving the space a historical contrast, and six among these are protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
You can witness these fine examples of early Mughal architecture. The notable monuments present here are Sunder Burj and Lakkarwala Burj, which are two elegant tombs with intricate plasterwork and geometric patterns.
These tombs can look familiar to the Taj Mahal and Humayun’s Tomb as in common they all have the Persian and Timurid influences.
Charbagh Design
The Nursery is designed with the inspiration of the Charbagh concept, it literally means a four-part garden generally divided by walkways and flowing water, mimicking the Islamic version of a Paradise.
Excellence in Architectural Restoration
The conservation success in the Sunder nursery is globally recognised for using traditional materials and techniques, such as lime mortar, hand-crafted sandstone repairs, and accurate geometrical restorations — instead of opting for modern substitutes.
This thoughtful approach helps the visitors experience the monuments almost as they would have appeared centuries ago.
Jalis (Stone Lattices)
Monuments in the park feature delicate stone lattice screens, these are called Jalis, which are intricately carved allowing filtered light and creating beautiful patterns inside tomb chambers.
These Jalis were not just beautiful ornaments but also a functional addition that allows air circulation.
Ornamental Plasterwork
Inside the tombs, remnants of painted stucco and plaster decoration are visible to the day. These designs often include arabesques, floral motifs, and Quranic calligraphy.
Symmetry and Proportion
Symmetry was an important element in Mughal architecture — everything in the nursery from the layout of the garden to the placement of tombs follows strict symmetrical lines which reflect an early phase of this tradition, later perfected in masterpieces like Humayun’s Tomb and the Taj Mahal.
Contemporary additions
With the focus on preservation of the historical monuments, contemporary architectural additions have also been made like the Amphitheatre, lake, and flower beds, which enhance the coexistence of new and old design principles.
Biodiversity Hotspot
Apart from the historical importance, the nursery is a thriving ecological space, it has over 300 species of trees, and many among them are rare and endangered. The park is intentionally designed with micro-habitats that attract more than 80 species of birds and countless butterflies.
It is indeed a paradise for someone who loves nature, photography and birdwatchers.
Modern-Day Charm
With the completion of the grand revitalization project, in 2018. Sunder Nursery has become a cultural hub for Delhi’s residents and visitors alike, the place hosts:
- Art installations
- Weekend farmers’ markets
- Open-air concerts
- Yoga and meditation sessions
- Educational workshops for children
Also, the elegant cafes make it a favourite hotspot for families, students and other tourists.
A brief timeline of Sunder Nursery
16th Century (Mughal Invasion)
Initially this area was a part of a grand Mughal- garden, and several monuments and tombs were built here.
1910s–1920s (British Domination)
During the construction of New Delhi under British architect Edwin Lutyens, the government needed plants and trees for landscaping the new capital. At the time this area was converted into a plant nursery by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD). And later on it became known as Sunder Nursery, named partly after the nearby Sunder Burj monument.
1940s–2000s
Over time, the historic monuments were neglected and fell into ruin. Local communities still used it and the space was growing trees, but it was not maintained as a formal public space.
2007
The Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) in partnership with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) launched a major restoration project to:
- Conserve the monuments
- Revive the Mughal-style gardens
- Create a world-class heritage park
2018-Today
Sunder Nursery was officially opened to the public as a Heritage Park. Now it is a UNESCO-supported project as part of the Nizamuddin Urban Renewal Initiative.
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