Monuments of Delhi - Kutub Minar

Kutub Minar is one of main tourist spots in Delhi.
Last weekend I went early in the morning.

As usual I " researched" the place, read umpteen number of blogs, wikipedia and gathered many information. I want to write less and show more pictures, some of them are less photographed.

However Let me write some bare minimum about the place and its history - all read and gathered from other blogs and sign boards at site.

Pictures are mine.

Info about the spot:

It is in south of Delhi, a place called Mehuruli.
24 KM from Gurugrama
15 KM from Connaught place, Delhi
Nearest Metro station is Qutub Minar Station. Qutub Minar is 3 km from Metro station.
It is open on all days from sunset to sunrise. Please note the timing ! Fact is that the guy appears at the counter around 7 in the morning.
Entry fee : Rs 30 for Indian. Rs.500 for foreigner. Free for children below 15 years. (Oct 2017)
General public is not permitted to go up the stairs of the Minar, after tragic stampede in 1981 that killed many school kids.

The place is well maintained - neat and clean. Appreciate ASI to that part.

History:

 The complex was originally a constellation of 27 Hindu and Jain temples, which were destroyed by Islamic invaders after defeating the last Hindu kings of Delhi. The place was known as Dhillika and ruled by Rajput Tomars and Chauhans.

It is said they built the Minar to mark the victory and show hegemony of the islamic religion. The stones were reused to build the Tower and Tombs.

Kutub Ud din Ibak is said have to started the construction in 1192. He could construct only one story. His successors subsequently built higher floors. The Minar suffered many natural calamities and got damaged (like lightning and earth quake) but repaired and restored by the successive rulers.

Architecture:

The Minar stands tall and majestic. Looks really majestic with mix of carvings.
The Minar is 72.5 mtr high, 14.3 mtr diameter in the bottom and 2.7 mtr on top, has 379 steps.

                                                             

Minar viewed from inside the complex

The Minar viewed from outside the complex. 

Other things in the complex :

Other interesting thing is that the ancient iron pillar which is standing rust proof for over thousands of years. It is believed that it belongs to 5 century BC, Chandragupta's time.
It is a metallurgical wonder even today. Some how ancient Indians knew to make rust proof iron pole.

The popular belief is that those who can put their hands backwards around the pillar and hold both hands would  get their wish fulfilled. Now it is not permitted any more. If you have seen movie "Cheeni Kam" you recall Amithab Bachan doing it.

                                  

The English translation of the inscription on the iron pole.

There are many other Tombs and mosques in the complex. There are still corridors with carved stone pillars  that look really beautiful. These structures belong to erstwhile temple. Many sculptures relating to Hindu / Jain temple are lying around.

Tomb of Iltutmish. Interior has very nice carvings. The Tomb top is no more. It was collapsed long ago. Iltutmish was a slave to Qutb ud din Ibak but subsequently became his son in law and successor. he continued the Minar construction and completed.

Alai Minar, Khilji started to build another Minar but died before he could even finish first story. No one further tried to complete it. It was designed to be double the height of the other Minar. May be they could not find enough funds. 

Water Well - now not in use

Beautiful carving on top of another pillar

A Ganesh Idol

 A nice sculpture atop another pillar

Last words :

More I read more gibberish the history of the Minar became. There are many arguments and counter arguments about the place and the Minar itself. 

History is gibberish anyway I think.  You tend to lean towards a side basis your belief system, social, religious and  cultural back ground and political viewpoint in addition to the facts available today. 

Monuments of Delhi - Purana Qila,

This week I visited  Purana Qila, Old Fort in Delhi.

This is the original spot where Pandavas built Indraprastha Palace during Mahabharata time. This is actually called as Pandavon ka qila.

I had no clue that I would visit a spot that has a direct link to the spot which I visited last time.

Last time I wrote about Humayuns death. I did not know as to where exactly he fell down and died.

This is Sher Mandal. Sher Shah Suri is believed to have built it as a pleasure place  . Humayun reoccupied empire, and said to have used this building as his library. He while on the second floor steps heard the call for prayers and in hurry trying to kneel down, fell down and died after three days.

Some more views of the Sher Mandal here below

Museum is housed in the rooms made along the wide wall of the fort (below ) Most rooms are closed. I do not know why.
Read more on Sher Mandal below.

Below view is along the fort wall from inside the fort. The number of rooms now mostly closed. Beware ! you are likely to see young couples cuddling here and there. I understood many couple come here to spend quality time here.

Kunha Masjid.

Kunha Masjid from different view point.

The neat path leading to other ruins - called Humayun Darwaza

It has a step well (Baoli in Hindi - Bavi in my mother tongue). It is different kind of a design I would say - since it has steps and covered from top as well. You may refer the board here below to know more types of ancient wells.

There is a ruined spot called Hamam. Hamam means bath room or a SPA (?). Below picture describes the Hamam.

I instantly recalled - there used to be a soap branded "Hamam".

There is a small museum inside the fort. There are many artefacts, pottery, etc from 300 BC time, found during earlier excavation.

The place is close to India Gate. Very next to it the National Zoological park and Delhi Zoo. (Zoo is closed on Friday)

The place is open from 0700 hrs to 1700 hrs, open all the days. (I at least did not see any sign boards). Funny part is that the parking opens at 0900 hrs.
Do not worry, there is enough space on road side to park your vehicle.

The entry fee is Rs.20 per person including entry to museum.

Those who are interested in pure history may only visit. There is nothing fancy and very artistic. It is all ruins.

Monuments of Delhi - Humayun's Tomb

People from all over the country and world visit Delhi. The city is full of historical spots, monuments and museums.
I stay close to Delhi, yet rarely visited monuments. Last Sunday me and one of my friend with common interest of photography decided to spend a morning at a monument.

We set out to visit Humayun's tomb. It opens from 0700 hr to 1800 hrs. Website says it is open on all days. Better to check. Some times these are closed on Monday and/or Friday. Entry fee Rs 30/- for Indian. More for foreigner.

It is located in central Delhi, not far off from Nizamuddins railway station.

I thought I will do some research before visiting. My research is actually searching on Google and read the relevant stuff.  I viewed many pictures, and read Wikipedia.

I just provide a short snapshot here. Rest you may "research" at your will.

Humayun is Babur's son and Akbar's father. That should suffice. However I must mention his death, after all it is a Tomb.

Poor guy must have fought many battles and survived but died when he slipped down the stairs and shattered his skull at the age of 48. His body was buried twice before finally rested here.

His wife built this tomb at the cost f Rs 15 lakhs then. His real complete name was Mirza Nasir ud din Baig Muhammad Khan Humayun. 

Now some of the pictures I clicked. There are few other's tombs adjacent to main tomb.

The 16th century Octagonal shaped tombs are rare, I understood during my "research". The structure is intact and original colors seemed to have faded though. 

Above one is an example of inspiration. Inspired by many "Pro" photographers. You will see this kind of " Arched" pictures for sure in Pro's collection, specially monuments. 

I am learning ...............

Isa Khans Tomb. Beautiful octagonal shaped Persian style structure. Isa Khan was a nobleman in Sher Shah Suri' court - I read Wikipedia. Do not ask me what is the connection between Suri, Isa khan and Humayun. 

 Another nice view of Isa Khan's Tomb. 

 Isa Khan's mosque next to his Tomb. He is said to have made an elaborate plan for his tomb and the mosque at which he used to pray. 

 Lush green, neat lawn. Well maintained. 

This one is Humayun's Tomb. It is huge square structure. Few other views below