Tomb of Amir Khusro, New Delhi, Delhi

The tomb of Amir Khusrau is situated at the southern end of the main enclosure of Hazrat Nizamuddin Complex. Amir Khusrau was born to Amir Sayf Ud-Din Mahmud who was member of the Lachin Tribe from Transoxania (an ancient name used for a part of Central Asia which is known today by the names of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and southwest Kazakhstan). He belonged to the Kara Khitan Tribe later referred to as the 'Kara Khitay' or 'Kara Khitai' after the invasion of the Mongal Empire. Later, Amir Sayf ud-Din Mahmud migrated to a small town named Patiali which is close to Etah situated in North India and became a Turkic officer.

Amir Khusrau also spelled as 'Amir Khusrow' and 'Amir Khusro' was hence born in Patiali in the year 1253 AD. He grew up to become one of the greatest scholars, an influential and prolific musician and poet who wrote famous Persian as well as Hindavi poems which are famous even today and will be till time in memoriam. He turned to Sufism under the knowledge and guidance of Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia and became a Sufi Mystic and spiritual personality dedicating his life towards devotional music as well as Indian Sufi music. This 13th Century Poet was also associated with the Imperial courts of more than seven Rulers who reigned over the Sultanate of Delhi and admired his skills and knowledge.

Amir Khusrau is revered as the 'Father of Qawwali' which are devotional Indian Sufi songs and music and also the 'Father of Urdu Language' which is a blend of the Arabic, Hindi, Persian and several Indian Languages and is also known as the official language of Pakistan spoken by almost 150 million Indians alone. His interests range from music, poetry and even political affairs. He also fortified Indian Classical music by introducing Arabic as well as Persian elements into their music and founded the 'Khayal' and 'Taraana' styles of music along with the invention of the Tabla as well as the 'Sitar' which is a musical instrument with seven strings and played for most of the Indian Classical songs seen even today. With expertise, he arranged 11 musical presentations with 35 distinct distributions. He also wrote Ghazals (a form of poetic expression that showcases pain, loss or love mostly sung in Arabic, Pashto, Persian and Urdu languages), Masnavi (Poems written in Persian language), , Rubai (an Indian Urdu poetry form), Qata, Do-Beti and Tarkibhand.

In fact Sufism was a 13th Century reform movement against the orthodox Islam and Hindu religions. It mainly preached the word of God through Sufism or devotional songs. Amir Khusrau touched those aspects of philosophy which showcases a man's relation with the Almighty, Self-realisation and the search for truth. His works are embedded into curriculums studied in schools and Universities today.

The tomb of Amir Khusrau sits within an enclosed structure that is scattered with Tombs of Princes and Nobles who wished to be buried next to Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia. The 'Urs' or death anniversary of Amir Khusrow is celebrated with great pomp attended by Indian and Pakistani Sufi singers who devotionally perform traditional Qawwalis. The three-day celebration attracts many visitors and tourists from neighbouring countries which include Pakistanis, Bangladeshis and Sri Lankans.

The Tomb of Amir Khusrau is also packed with pilgrims from various states belonging to different religious sects, cultural and traditional backgrounds who visit to pay their homage and respect to this great Poet as well as Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia wherein they burn incense stick before worship and offer prayers as well as flowers.

Abu'l Hasan Yaminuddin Khusro, better known as Amir Khusro (also Khusrau, Khusrow) Dehlavi, was the poet laureate of the Indian subcontinent and enjoys ever-lasting fame as one of the most versatile poets and prolific prose-writers of the 13th and 14th centuries.

He is traditionally considered to be the founder of qawwali and lyrical poetry in Hindustani (Urdu), credited with enriching Hindustani classical music by introducing Persian and Arabic elements in it. The invention of the sitar and the musical styles known as khyal and tarana are also attributed to him. His poetical composition, the amalgamation of Persian and Hindi in particular, was aimed at cementing the bonds of culture and friendship between the Hindus and Muslims of India.

He was an intellectual giant of many languages, with knowledge of Turkish, Arabic, Persian and the vernaculars of northern India - the Khariboli, (Urdu and Hindi both being developed forms of it), Braj Bhasha and Awadhi. It was during his stay in Awadh, Delhi and Punjab that he learned these northern languages. He also learned Sanskrit which he placed before all other languages, except Arabic, the language of his religion.