India, July 14 -- Delhi city's Nizamuddin East colony is home to the rich and celebrated, including a filmmaker whose son is likely to become New York City's next mayor. Her tiptop terrace has a view of Humayun's Tomb as well as Rahim's Tomb. Indeed, almost every upper-story apartment in Nizamuddin East has a view of at least one of these two historical tombs (see photo). Some houses show both these tombs. A few show one more--the so-called Barber's Tomb. A very few show all the three--plus the Neela Gumbad tomb!

Not many people however are aware-not even "Niz East" wale!- that Nizamuddin East itself stands on the site of vanished monuments. This is a truth confirmed by Ratish Nanda of Aga Khan Trust for Culture, that has been actively i...