Zafar Mahal, located in Mehrauli, Delhi, serves as the last monumental structure built by the Mughals
Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last Mughal Emperor, envisioned it as his final resting place, but his deportation to Rangoon by the British prevented his burial in its precincts
Built adjacent to the Dargah of Hazrat Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki, Zafar Mahal, originally known as Lal Mahal or Rang Mahal
It comprised two main sections- the original palace constructed by Akbar Shah II and the majestic Hathi Gate added by Bahadur Shah Zafar
The Hathi Gate, an iconic feature of Zafar Mahal, was designed to accommodate elephant processions, boasting intricate marble decorations and royal balconies for viewing
Numerous other structures including the Diwan-e-Khaas, House of Mirza Babur, and Baoli of Aurangzeb, are now either vanished or occupied by locals
It symbolizes the Mughal rulers' reverence for the renowned Sufi saint and reflects the empire's twilight years and eventual downfall
Despite its current state of ruin, Zafar Mahal stands as a testament to the Mughal legacy of opulence and grandeur, now as whispers of the past