Delhi : British Agent Sir Thomas Metcalfe's Canopy

Monday, August 17, 2015

British Agent Sir Thomas Metcalfe's Canopy is located in Mehrauli Archaeological Park, which is located near Qutub Complex on the Sri Aurobindo Marg, the closest Metro station being Qutub Minar. 

Information on Metcalfe's Canopy

It is located near the Jamali Kamali Mosque and Tomb.

Metcalfe's Canopy

The Canopy aka Chatri is located atop a small hillock and offers a wonderful view of the Jamali Kamali Mosque and the Qutub Minar in a distance. The stone made Canopy is supported by six pillars which are sculptured. 

Qutub Minar from Metcalfe's Canopy

It felt good to rest here after walking for hour's in the hot sun. As it is on a height, feel refreshed with cool breeze. Not sure why it was placed here, in the middle of nowhere.

Jamali Kamali Mosque from Metcalfe's Canopy

We then headed over to see Jamali Kamali Mosque and Tomb.

Delhi : Enclosed Tomb in Mehrauli Archaeological Park

Thursday, August 13, 2015

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

About the Enclosed Tomb

Enclosed Tomb

Remains of the Enclosed Tomb

There are many small monuments in Mehrauli Archaeological Park, the best way to explore them is on foot. Though most of them are surrounded by bushes and wild growth, which sometimes makes it difficult to visit them. As these monuments are deserted it is advisable to go with friends for company. 

Not much information is available about the history of this monument apart from the signboard located near it. Looking at the monument it appears that restoration work has been done on the monument. 

Delhi : Arched Building in Mehrauli Archaeological Park

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

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

Arched Building

There are many small monuments in Mehrauli Archaeological Park, the best way to explore them is on foot. Though most of them are surrounded by bushes and wild growth, which sometimes makes it difficult to visit them. As these monuments are deserted it is advisable to go with friends for company. 

Not much information is available about the history of this monument apart from the signboard located near it. 

Arched Building

The monument in the first photo is totally in ruins, the stone used for the construction is scattered around it with wild growth around it for company. 

The arched doors in the second photo have been worked on and restored. The wild growth around it needs to be removed. This reminded me of the arched fort walls of Vasai Fort. Though the roof atop it is missing, but the walls have small square shaped openings on the inside, maybe it was used to hold the roof. 

Delhi : Gumti in Mehrauli Archaeological Park

Friday, August 7, 2015

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

Information on Gumti

Gumti

There are many small monuments in Mehrauli Archaeological Park, the best way to explore them is on foot. Though most of them are surrounded by bushes and wild growth, which sometimes makes it difficult to visit them. As these monuments are deserted it is advisable to go with friends for company. 

Not much information is available about the history of this monument apart from the signboard located near it. 

Certain portions of the monument are in ruins, ASI should start the restoration work on this monument.  

Delhi : Gandhak ki Baoli in Mehrauli Archaeological Park

Thursday, August 6, 2015

Gandhak ki Baoli is located in Mehrauli Archaeological Park, which is located near Qutub Complex on the Sri Aurobindo Marg, the closest Metro station being Qutub Minar. 

Gandhak ki Baoli can be reached by walking on the muddy path within the Mehrauli Archaeological Park premises. 

There are two Baoli or step well's in the Park premises. This step cut well was called Gandhak ki Baoli, because the water in it smelled of Sulphur. 

Gandhak ki Baoli

The rains in India, has always been uncertain and hence the need to conserve water, has always been the priority on the list of most of the people in  the country. Hence we have plenty of wells throughout the county apart from the lake and rivers for water supply. 

Gandhak ki Baoli was constructed by Emperor Iltutmish. 

It is a rock cut step well, it is four to five levels deep in the ground. The area around it was grilled and the entry point sealed with lock, we couldn't enter Baoli premises. The well was filled with water but not suitable for drinking purposes. In comparison to Rajon ki Baoli the construction of this stepwell is very simple.  

There is a step cut well in Tughlakabad fort premises.

Delhi : Ziggurat one off Metcalfe's Folly in Qutub Complex

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

The Ziggurat one off Metcalfe's Folly 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 Ziggurat one off Metcalfe's Folly

These two structures are located within the Qutub Complex. 

There is a railing put around it, so entry to the top of it is restricted. Not sure about it's history though.

Both are pyramid like structures made of stone, but built differently. By the look of it, they looks like they have been restored. Both the structures are not vey tall. One looks just like a pyramid, a series of steps takes one to the top. The other a spiral pathway leading to the top. Had they been open, they would have offered a wondeful view of the Qutub Complex.

The Ziggurat one off Metcalfe's Folly

Delhi : Smith's Cupola in Qutub Complex

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

The Smith's Cupola aka Smith's Folly is located near Sanderson's Sundial in the Qutub Complex, which is located near the Mehrauli Archaeological Park on the Sri Aurobindo Marg, the closest Metro station being Qutub Minar.

My first thoughts on the Smith Cupola, were. "Why is this built in the middle of nowhere?" 

Qutub Minar

Rohan, my friend and guide informed me that it was once placed atop the Qutub Minar. To which, I was like, "What?" as it didn't match the design of the Qutub Minar.

The Qutub Minar, was built to commemorate the victory of Muhammad Ghori over Prithviraj Chauhan, in the 13th century A.D. It was the first monument of Islamic Afghan architecture in India. 

Smith Cupola

Qutub-ud-din Aibak initiated the construction of Qutub Minar. Qutub building Qutub. But he could finish only the first storey in his lifetime, The Minar was made of red and buff sandstone with fluted columns on the exterior and covered with the kufic style of Islamic calligraphy. Iltutmish, Qutub-ud-din’s successor carried the work on to completion, he constructed three more storeys in the same style.

The Minar was the tallest structure then and hence had to suffer the wrath of mother nature i.e earthquakes and lightning. Due to which the top most part of the Minar fell to the ground. It was then repaired under the orders of Feroz Shah Tughlaq. The repairs were done with marble and a new Cupola was placed atop it.

Mother Nature attacked again in 1803 with a earthquake and it destroyed the Cupola built by Feroz Shah.

By this time the British, were in India. Major Robert Smith was authorized by the British Governor General of India (Name not known) to carry on the repairs. 


Major Smith was asked to re create and not re invent. Which he did. He had replaced the Indo Islamic cupola with a Bengali Styled Chattri. As the work he had done nowhere matched the Qutub Minar, it was taken off and was placed in the Qutub Minar premises. It is called Smith's Folly ever since.  

Delhi : Sanderson's Sundial in Qutub Complex

Monday, July 27, 2015

The Sanderson's Sundial is located near the Cupola in the Qutub complex, which is located near the Mehrauli Archaeological Park on the Sri Aurobindo Marg, the closest Metro station being Qutub Minar.

To be frank, I didn't know how a sundial actually looked, though I had heard of it.

A sundial is device the measures the time, it that measures the position of the sun, against the shadow cast by a blade on a reference scale.

Sanderson's Sundial

The dial is  built of marble and has a blade in the center of it. When the sun light falls on it, the shadow of the blade determines the time. It was around 1 PM on my watch, but to be very frank I was not able to understand the time based on the sundial.

The sundial was built in the memory of Sanderson , who was one of the Archaeologist of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). He carried out extensive excavations in and around this place. 

Delhi : Ala-ud-din Khilji's tomb and madrasa in Qutub Complex

Friday, July 24, 2015

Ala-ud-din Khilji Tomb and Madrasa 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.

 Sultan Ala-ud-din Khilji initially known as Ali Gurshap was the  second ruler of Khilji dynasty. He was one of the most powerful rulers who ruled between 1296 AD to 1316 AD.  His tomb was constructed near the madrasa aka educational centre in 1316.

The tomb was constructed by his loyal Nobles. 

The madrasa is a series of rooms, where students used to study Islam, sadly they are in ruins now, the roofs of which collapsed a long time ago. 

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 : Tomb of Sultan Iltutmish in the Qutub Complex

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

The Tomb aka mausoleum of Shams-ud-din Iltutmish 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. 

Shams-ud-din Iltutmish was the third ruler of the Mamluk Dynasty aka Slave Dynasty or Ghulam Dynasty of Turkic origin. Mamluk means a soldier of slave origin who has converted to Islam. Shams-ud-din Iltutmish was the son-in- law of Qutb-ud-din Aybak.

He had himself built the tomb in 1235 AD. The tomb is a landmark in Indo-Islamic Architecture. 

The tomb is currently open to the sky as its roof collapsed a long time ago. It was later redone by Firoz Shah Tughluq. But that didn't survive either.

The tomb is built of red stone. from the outside it looks like any other structure. The entrance to the tomb, have got inscription in Kufi and Nashk characters and geometric and arabesque patterns in Saracenic tradition.

Tomb made of white stone is placed in the middle. It is surrounded by beautifully decorated tall arches on all sides. 

Delhi : Alai Minar in Qutub Complex

Friday, July 17, 2015

The Alai Minar 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.

When I saw this structure, many thoughts ran through my mind. Was it a Mosque in ruins or some historic monument. But what Rohan told me, blew my mind off. He informed that, this was supposed to be a Minar, the tallest had it been built.

Alai Minar

The Alai Minar is an incomplete monument that lies within the Qutub complex. Sultan Ala-ud-Din Khalji of the Khilji dynasty's dream of constructing a Minar (Tower) to commemorate his win in the Deccan campaigns. 

He wanted to built a Minar that was double the height of the Qutub Minar as he wanted people to remember him after his death. 

Alai Minar

Qutub Minar is a spectacular piece of art, not sure as to why Sultan Ala-ud-Din Khalji wanted to built something bigger and taller than that. After all we are human so ego clashes are bound to happen. LOL. 

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. 

Delhi : Qutub Minar in Qutub Complex

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Qutub Minar 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.

Qutub Minar

Qutub Minar is so tall that it can be seen from a distance, much before I could reach the Qutub Minar Metro station.

The Minar was named after Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki a famous Sufi saint who lived in Delhi. 

Qutub Minar is made of red stone and it has 379 steps to reach the top. Entry to the top is restricted though. The Minar is around 238 feet high. The Minar has inscriptions in Parso-Arabic and Nagari characters. 

Qutub Minar

The Minar comprises of several cylindrical shafts which grow conical at the top. Each of the cylindrical shafts have balconies around them. Imagine the view of the land from these balconies, it would be just amazing to snap some amazing pics there. 

Qutub Minar

Initially I was under the impression that the Minar in Daulatabad fort around Aurangabad is the tallest, but I was wrong. 

Inscription on Qutub Minar

The construction of the Minar was started in 1193 AD by Qutb-ud-din Aibak. Who died after completing the first storey, the next three storeys were built by his successor, Iltutmish. Whose Tomb resides in the Qutub Minar Complex. Firoz Shah Tughlaq completed the last storey, which was built of red sandstone and marble. 

Qutub Minar

It is said that the  Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, is the first mosque to be built in Delhi. 

Delhi : Imam Zamin's Tomb in Qutub Complex

Friday, July 10, 2015

The  Iman Zamin's Tomb 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.

 Imam Zamin's Tomb

The  Iman Zamin's Tomb is located near to Alai Darwaza in the Qutub Minar Complex built in Lodhi style architecture.

A saint named Muhammad Ali arrived from Turkestan and started living in Delhi in about 1500 AD. He was called Imam Zamin. Imam meaning Islamic priest. 

The tomb is made of white marble and red sandstone. The carvings on the structure are worth a eye. 

We then headed off to see Alai Darwaza. 

Delhi : Qutub Complex

Thursday, July 9, 2015

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

The entry fee is Rs.10 for locals and Rs.250 for foreigners. The Complex is open from Sunrise to Sunset. But get ready to meet crowd anytime of the day. 

Qutub Complex is far more popular than the Mehrauli Archaeological Park, which is located right next to it. 

Monuments in Qutub Complex premises. Each monument has a fascinating history behind it. Please contact Rohan on 9891650606 in regards to detailed history of each of the monuments mentioned below and other historical structures in and around Delhi.

• Qutub Minar
• Alai Darwaza
• Imam Zamin's Tomb
• Iron Pillar
• Alai Minar
• Ala-ud-din Khilji's tomb and madrasa
• Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque
• Tomb of Sultan Iltutmish
• Smith's Cupola
• Sanderson's Sundial
• Ziggurat one off Metcalfe's Folly 

It is worth mentioning that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has done a wonderful job in regards to upkeeping of the Qutub complex. Hope they do it to other historical structures in India.

Other historic sites in and around Delhi are Sunder Nursery, Humayun Tomb Complex, Mehrauli Archaeological Park and 
Qutub Complex. A must for history lovers.