Ibrahim Lodhi’s tomb in Panipat neglected

Mukesh Tandon

The historical tomb of Ibrahim Lodhi, who was the last ruler belonging to the Lodhi dynasty, situated in a park in the tehsil camp area of Panipat city is in a neglected condition. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) maintains the tomb while the Municipal Corporation looks after the park.  

Besides, the sculptures of warriors at the park are dusty because they haven’t been cleaned for a long time. The sword of a warrior’s sculpture is broken, while the broken hand of another warrior’s sculpture is lying nearby. Bricks of Ibrahim Lodhi's grave are falling, while the rectangular terrace on which it is established is also in a neglected condition. The paint of the sculptures has faded and there is no one to care about them. Cow dung and garbage can be seen littered in the park. 

Ibrahim Lodhi was defeated and killed by Babur in the first battle of Panipat on April 26, 1526. He was the third ruler belonging to the Lodhi dynasty; his grandfather Bahlol Lodhi was the first one.

Lodhi’s tomb was made up of Lakhuari bricks (special type of bricks). An inscription on a niche near the grave declares that it was rebuilt during the British rule in 1867 AD. The ASI had declared it as a protected monument under the Ancient Monument and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 (Section 24 of 1958) but no one takes care of it.

Though the municipal corporation maintains the park around the tomb, the condition of toilets there is also not good. 

Rajesh Kumar, a local resident, says that the park is not being properly cleaned, and there are no proper lighting arrangements. Drug addicts are often seen there in the evening. Stray cattle enter the park and the foul smell of cow dung welcomes visitors to the tomb, he adds.

The work to rejuvenate the Lodhi Park was started two years ago and local MLA Rohita Rewri had inaugurated it. However, after sometime the work was stopped and the pathway constructed then is breaking, he adds. 

Taruna, a resident of Safidon, who along with her family members visited the park, says that the authorities concerned should beautify and maintain this historical place properly.

 Raghuveer Sandhu, a resident of Khotpura village, says the historical monument and sculptures are in a dilapidated condition. Wild bushes are growing in the park. The pathway there is broken at various places, and the platform where the sculptures of the warriors stand is also in a poor condition due to lack of maintenance, he adds.