The roof pavilions, or dalans, are the small chambers that fill the top of the pishtaqs and function as pavilions. They can only be accessed from the roof terrace. These pavilions contain staircases for accessing the blue-domed chhatris. The pavilions on the roof terrace were used as part of a madrasa.1 A madrasa is a "school for religious instruction, a college."2
1. L.F. Rushbook Williams, A Handbook for Travellers in India, Pakistan, Burma And Ceylon, 19th ed. (London: John Murray, 1962), 244.
2. Catherine B. Asher, Architecture of Mughal India (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1992), xxvii.
Williams, L.F. Rushbrook, ed. A Handbook for Travellers in India, Pakistan, Burma And Ceylon. 19th ed. London: John Murray, 1962.
Tappin, Stuart. "The Structural Development of Masonry Domes in India." In Proceedings of the First International Congress on Construction History, Madrid, 20th-24th January 2003, edited by S. Huesta, 1941-52. Madrid: I. Juan de Herrera, SEdHC, ETSAM, A.E. Benvenuto, COAM, F. Dragados, 2003.
Nizamuddin Urban Renewal Initiative. "Restoring Mausoleum’s Terrace 2008-10."
