Qutb-ud-Din Aibak died in Lahore following a fall from his horse while playing Chaugan, an early form of polo.
The original tomb was destroyed during the turbulence of various invasions, leaving the site unmarked for centuries.
The current structure was commissioned and built by the Government of Pakistan in the 1970s to commemorate the Sultan.
Aibak was a former Turkic slave who rose to become a general under Muhammad Ghori before establishing his own empire.
The tomb is situated in a dense residential neighborhood, reflecting the organic expansion of Lahore over the original Sultanate-era city.
The inscription on the sarcophagus identifies Aibak as the 'Sultan-e-Hind'.
Qutb-ud-Din Aibak's Tomb marks the final resting place of the first Sultan of Delhi and founder of the Mamluk Dynasty. Located in the Anarkali area of Lahore, the structure is a modest 1970s reconstruction built over the site where the Sultan was buried after his accidental death in 1210 during a game of polo. The tomb consists of a simple white marble sarcophagus housed within a small residential alleyway. It serves as a historical marker for the beginning of Islamic rule in the Indian subcontinent. The site is maintained by the Walled City of Lahore Authority.
The elevated view of the white marble sarcophagus framed by the surrounding alley architecture.
Navigate the narrow, crowded streets of the Anarkali Bazaar carefully as vehicles are often restricted.
Combine this visit with a broader walking tour of the nearby Walled City of Lahore sites.
Look for the small signage in the Aibak Road neighborhood, as the tomb is tucked away from the main thoroughfare.
Do not expect a large, grand monumental complex; the site is small and integrated into a high-density urban residential block.
Maintain a respectful silence as it is a burial site, dress modestly, and remove footwear before stepping onto the tomb platform.
