Sunder Nursery

• 1. Mughal Origins And History

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  In the 16th century, Mughal architects constructed a garden complex known as Azim Bagh along the Grand Trunk Road. This site sat adjacent to what would later become Humayun's Tomb in Delhi. The original layout featured classical Persian design elements with water channels and fountains typical of that era. Historical records indicate the area was abandoned for decades before modern restoration efforts began. The name Azim Bagh translates to Great Garden, reflecting its initial grandeur under Mughal rule.

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• 2. British Colonial Transformation

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  During the British Raj period, authorities established experimental plant nurseries on this land. A lake within the grounds gave the location its current designation as a nursery rather than a royal garden. The British administration repurposed existing structures while introducing new botanical functions to the space. Local usage eventually adopted the term Sunder Nursery from the nearby Sunder Burj tomb structure. This colonial phase transformed the site from a private Mughal retreat into a public horticultural experiment station.

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• 3. Restoration Project Implementation

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  Plans for extensive conservation work were drawn up in 2007 by multiple agencies including the Aga Khan Trust for Culture India. Work on the third phase initiated in 2010 concluded in 2018 when the park reopened to the public on the 21st of February 2018. Vice-president of India M Venkaiah Naidu attended the inauguration alongside Aga Khan Development Network leadership. Initial cleanup required removal of approximately 1,000 trucks of rubble before ground leveling could begin. The project involved collaboration between the Archaeological Survey of India and Central Public Works Department throughout the decade-long process.

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• 4. Architectural Heritage Monuments

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  Six UNESCO World Heritage Sites exist within the park boundaries including the Sundarwala Mahal and Lakkarwala Burj. The Lakkarwala Burj tomb now sits within a newly created rose garden following restoration efforts. The 16th-century Sunderwala Burj was restored using original orange sandstone and white lime mortar techniques. Red sandstone interior walls featured entire sections of recreated white Quranic verses during the renovation. Other protected structures include Mirza Muazzafar Hussain's Tomb and Chotta Bateshewala among fifteen total heritage monuments.

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• 5. Biodiversity And Arboretum Status

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  The area contains over 280 native tree species making it Delhi's first arboretum. Geographic Information Systems mapped 4,200 individual trees across the grounds for conservation tracking purposes. Bird mapping identified 80 different species with rare sightings like the Ultramarine Flycatcher in 2014. Butterfly populations reached 36 distinct types documented through systematic observation programs. A Bonsai House houses specimens over 80 years old alongside unique varieties such as Pink Cedar found nowhere else in Delhi.

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• 6. Future Expansion Plans

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  Current plans aim to expand the existing 90 acres into India's largest park covering 900 acres total. The Nizamuddin Urban Renewal Project involves public-private partnerships between government authorities and the Aga Khan Trust. Conservation work on 30 nearby heritage structures continues as part of this master plan initiative. Future development will integrate Kohi ridge, Bangar alluvial, Khadar riverine and Dabar marsh micro-habitat zones. The project seeks to link surrounding areas while maintaining historical integrity throughout the expanded landscape.

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