Tomb of Nizam Saqqa – The Water-Carrier King Who Saved Humayun

Tomb of Saqqa

To the east of the Auliya Mosque, inside a latticed marble enclosure, stands a beautifully carved marble tomb. A headstone inscription is also installed. During the Mughal era, a golden canopy (Zarri Shamiyana) used to hang over this shrine. Nizam Saqqa had saved Emperor Humayun from drowning when he fled after his defeat by Sher Shah Suri and his horse drowned while crossing the Yamuna River, leaving Humayun unconscious.

When Humayun regained consciousness, the Emperor asked his name. He replied, “My name is Nizam.” Then the Emperor said, “Ask! What do you desire?” Nizam Saqqa requested to be made Emperor for half a day when the ruler reached Agra. The Emperor smilingly accepted and made Nizam the “Sultan of Neemroz”. By order of Humayun, the ministers submitted to him, and whatever orders he issued were immediately carried out. It is famous to this day about his half-day reign that he issued leather currency by cutting water-skin bags. (Ahsanus Siyar, Pages 56–57)