November 3, 2014: InterGlobe Foundation, the philanthropic arm of InterGlobe, a leader in aviation, hospitality and travel services, and the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) announced their collaboration to conserve and restore Abdur Rahim Khan I Khanan’s tomb, a monument owned and protected by the Archaeological Survey of India. This is one of the few conservation initiatives that will be undertaken in collaboration with a corporate at any of India’s nationally protected monuments. The tomb sits prominently along the Mathura Road, formerly the Mughul Grand Trunk Road, and is in close proximity to the Dargah of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya in South Delhi.

Popularly known as Rahim and immortalized through his dohas’s or couplets, Rahim was amongst the most important ministers in Akbar’s court. He was one of the Navratnas and continued to serve Salim after his accession to the throne as Emperor Jahangir. Besides being a strong administrator and military commander, Rahim was a great scholar and poet. He wrote verses in Turkish, Arabic, Sanskrit and Persian, translated the Baburnama in Persian and authored several prose works, including two books on astrology. The mausoleum was built by Rahim for his wife, making this the first ever Mughal tomb built for a woman. Rahim was buried here in AD 1627.

The project, spread over three years, under the guidance and control of the Archaeological Survey of India, is proposed to include not only the conservation of the monument but also a compilation of Rahim’s literary works. It will also enhance an understanding of the tomb structure and its setting thus allowing scholars to interpret its influence on the construction of the Taj Mahal as well as justify its inclusion within the extended Humayun’s Tomb World Heritage Site.

An important part of the project will be the craft-based approach ensuring a revival of craft skills and creating employment for craftsmen. Stone carvers, masons, plasterers, will work together to halt the deterioration process and ensure long-term preservation. It is expected that atleast 250,000 man-days of work – directly and indirectly – will be required to complete this assignment.

On the occasion, Rahul Bhatia, InterGlobe's Group Managing Director, said, “India’s heritage lives through its rich architecture culture and crafts. We have countless monuments, different art forms and traditions but these are fading over time. Through this initiative with the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, we hope to be part of the conservation efforts and preserve the legacy of Rahim.” Highlighting the need for developing more than the 32 World Heritage sites that India has currently, he further added, “India has the potential to develop several more world heritage sites and attract a greater number of tourists as well as positively impact local communities. This will only be possible if Corporate India supports the different entities involved in this cause.”

“India’s built heritage and building craft skills can be preserved for the future with significant support from the corporate sector and civil society involvement and we hope the conservation of Rahim’s tomb will also lead to several such efforts nationwide” said Ratish Nanda Projects Director, AKTC.

The conservation works will be part of the Nizamuddin Urban Renewal initiative undertaken by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture in partnership with the Archaeological Survey of India and other government agencies. All conservation works will be undertaken very carefully by matching the original material/ details in terms of form, colour and specification preferably through the use of the same material and employing traditional skills as used in the original structure. All such works will be carefully recorded and documented.

About InterGlobe:

InterGlobe is a leader in aviation, hospitality and travel related services. Established in 1989‚ with headquarters in Gurgaon‚ today InterGlobe has a network of 126 offices across 59 cities globally. InterGlobe employs more than 17,000 professionals across its businesses which include IndiGo (InterGlobe Aviation)‚ InterGlobe Technologies‚ InterGlobe Air Transport‚ InterGlobe Technology Quotient‚ InterGlobe Hotels and CAE Simulation Training Private Limited.

About AKTC:

The Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC), is an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network, with a mandate for the physical, social, cultural and economic revitalization of communities in historic cities. It includes the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, the Aga Khan Historic Cities Programme, the Aga Khan Music Initiative, the on-line resourceArchNet.org and the Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture at Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The Museums &amp Exhibitions unit coordinates the development of a number of museum and exhibition projects. In India, AKTC is implementing the Nizamuddin Urban Renewal Initiative, Delhi and Qutb Shah Heritage Park, Hyderabad.