Delhi : Iron Pillar in Qutub Complex

Thursday, July 23, 2015

The Iron Pillar is located in the Qutub Complex, which is located near the Mehrauli Archaeological Park on the Sri Aurobindo Marg, the closest Metro station being Qutub Minar.

The Iron Pillar is located in the courtyard of  Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque. 

Iron Pillar in the courtyard of Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque

The Iron Pillar has survived all weather conditions till date. There is no corrosion on it. The black colored iron pillar also has inscription on it in Sanskrit written in Brahmi script. Which states that it was erected in honor of Hindu God Vishnu by Gupta King Chandragupta II. 

Iron Pillar with Qutub Minar in the background

Inscription translated in English

The Iron Pillar is around 7.23 Meter high and weighs in tons. It was originally erected by King Chandragupta II  in front of the Vishnu Temple complex in Udayagiri around 402 AD.

Top of Iron Pillar and Qutub Minar

The Iron pillar is currently fenced to keep visitors away. Local tradition, states that it was considered good luck if one could stand with one's back to the pillar and make one's hands meet behind it. The Bollywood movie Cheeni Kum, has Amitabh Bachan doing the same. 

Inscriptioin on Iron Pillar

Delhi : Alai Darwaza in Qutub Complex

Thursday, July 16, 2015

The Alai Darwaza is located in the Qutub Complex, which is located near the Mehrauli Archaeological Park on the Sri Aurobindo Marg, the closest Metro station being Qutub Minar.

The Alai Darwaza is the main gateway (one of the four) to the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque. The other three couldn't be completed. It was built by Ala-ud-din Khilji, the second Khilji Sultan in 1311 AD. It is believed to be the oldest dome in India. 

Alai Darwaza with Qutub Minar in the background

The domed Gateway is made of red sandstone within which white marble is laid, which has Naskh script on it. The Darwaza has Indo- Islamic style of architecture. Indo Islamic is a combination of both Islamic and Hindu Art. 

Alai Darwaza with Qutub Minar in the background

Delhi : Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque in Qutub Complex

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque is located in the Qutub Complex, which is located near the Mehrauli Archaeological Park on the Sri Aurobindo Marg, the closest Metro station being Qutub Minar.

View of Qutub Minar from Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque

Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque aka Qutub Mosque was the first Mosque in Delhi. It was built by Qutb-ud-din-Aibak. He was the founder of the Mamluk or Slave Dynasty. 

The construction of the Mosque started in 1193 AD. It was built alongside the Qutub Minar. 

Beautifully Carved pillars of Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque

The Mosque was constructed after the destruction of the 27 Hindu and Jain Temples that stood there during the reign of the Tomars and Prithvi Raj Chauhan. Not sure as to what sadistic pleasure it gave them to destroy one monument to built another. As King's they should have enough money to built a monument from scratch.

Ashok's Pillar from Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque

The way the structure is constructed is very similar to Bharatmata Temple in Daulatabad Fort. The pillars of the Mosque are beautifully carved.The details are worth taking note off. 

Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque

Though the Mosque was constructed by Qutb-ud-din-Aibak, it was re modified by him and also Iltutmish. Later changes were made by Alauddin Khilji. The Mosque are completely in ruins now. 

The Iron Pillar is erected within the Mosque premises. 

We later went to see the tomb of Ittutmish.