India Gate: A tribute to the Indian Warriors

India Gate is the popular name of the war memorial located off-centre in a large hexagonal space with roads radiating from it, designed by Lutyens is similar to European Memorial arches. It is located at the heart of New Delhi and is easily accessible by DTC buses and Metro. The Nearest Metro station is Central Secretariat. While coming out of Metro station we can see the India Gate from the Raisina Hills. In the opposite direction of India Gate, we can see the residence of the President of India. Republic Day Parade follows the Rajpath and leads to India Gate.

Rajpath Leading to India Gate from Rashtrapati Bhawan

India Gate

The arch stands 42m high and is made up of Red Bharatpur Stone. The foundation stone of India Gate was laid by Royal Highness, the Duke of Connaught in 1921. The arch commemorates the 70000 Indian Soldiers who had given the sacrifice of their lives in the First World War for British Army. The memorial bears more than 13500 names of British and Indian Army officers killed in North-Western Frontier in the Afghan war in 1919. After laying the foundation stone of the War memorial in 1921, the rail-line was shifted to run along the Yamuna River and the New Delhi Railway Station was opened in 1926. The arch is having a large stone with pine cones on both sides. As per Roman mythology, these pines are the symbols of death and regeneration. The cornice is inscribed with the Imperial suns. The dates MCMXIV (1914 left) and MCMXIX (1919 right) are inscribed on both sides of the arch. The shallow domed bowl at the top is intended to be filled with burning oil on special occasions which is rarely performed nowadays. 

Pine Cones at India Gate

Below the word INDIA, message inscribed in capital letters at India Gate:

"TO THE DEAD OF THE INDIAN ARMIES WHO FELL HONOURED IN FRANCE AND FLANDERS MESOPOTAMIA AND PERSIA EAST AFRICA GALLIPOLI AND ELSEWHERE IN THE NEAR AND THE FAR-EAST AND  IN SACRED MEMORY ALSO OF THOSE WHOSE NAMES ARE RECORDED AND WHO FELL IN INDIA OR THE NORTH-WEST FRONTIER AND DURING THE THIRD AFGHAN WAR"

The message inscribed on India Gate

Night View of Pine Cones

Amar Jawan Jyoti

In 1931, the monument was dedicated to the nation by the then Viceroy, Lord Irwin. Below the arches, Amar Jawan Jyoti, the `flame of the eternal warrior` was erected as a tribute to Indian Soldiers bravery and sacrifice during the 1971 Indo-Pak war. The eternal flame burns day and night giving tribute to the soldiers who lay down their lives to save their nation from enemies. The structure is consisting of black marble plinth, with the reversed rifle, capped by war helmet, bound by four urns, each with the permanent light (Jyoti) from (CNG) flames. Amar Jawan Jyoti is manned round the clock by soldiers drawn from the three services of the Indian armed forces. Wreaths are placed at the Amar Jawan Jyoti on 26 January, by the Prime Minister of India, and Chiefs of Armed Forces; on Vijay Diwas, and on Infantry Day.

Canopy at India Gate

East of this memorial there is a canopy which is placed in the centre of the hexagon. The canopy was designed by Lutyens as a memorial to George V, who died in 1936. It used to hold the statue of George V till 1968. After which it has been removed to Coronation Park, North Delhi. There has been a debate about placing a statue of Mahatma Gandhi under this canopy to its demolition. But it is still visible from a distance and is adding beauty to India gate.

Earlier in the British era, the area around India gate was famous as 'Princess Park'. In Jul 2014, Government has announced plans to construct a National War Memorial around the canopy and a National War Museum in adjoining Princess Park. This is one of the famous, popular and most visited places in Delhi, irrespective of age groups. One can see hordes of people moving around the brightly lit area and on the lawns on summer evenings. A large expanse of lush green lawns around this arch is a popular picnic spot. The Republic Day The parade starts from Rashtrapati Bhavan and passes around the India Gate. We can see people flying kites, enjoying evening walks, gossiping. The lawn of India Gate has one of the famous boat clubs. Flood Lighting in the evening adds to its beauty.

Flags of three section of Indian Forces at Amar Jawan Jyoti

Flags from Canopy Side

India Gate at Night Flood Lighting

India Gate at Night

India Gate

India Gate Architecture

India Gate at Night

Reflection of India Gate on the side water pools

India Gate

Humayun Tomb: A picturesque Masonry Tomb

Humayun Tomb ('Humayun ka Maqbara') is the tomb of the great Mughal Emperor Humayun, a UNESCO world heritage situated in Nizamuddin, East Delhi.

Humayun Tomb

Humayun died in January 1556, at the age of 51. The work on the mausoleum of Humayun was started by Akbar. Humayun’s chief wife Haji Begam (also known as Hamida Banu Begam) is often credited for building the tomb, but she used to be away most of the time and busy with pilgrimage tour and Akbar put her in charge during some of the time she stayed in Delhi. Construction of the tomb was commenced in 1569, fourteen years after Humayun’s death. The mausoleum is built just a kilometre and a half south of the fortress built by Humayun. It is a kilometre away from holy shrine of Sufi Saint Nizamuddin Auliya.

It is the first distinct example of proper Mughal Architecture inspired by Persian Architecture. The tomb was constructed at a cost of 15 lakh rupees and the architect Mirak Mirza Ghiyath, was a Persian. It is inside a square garden and is considered to be the first char-bagh tomb of India. It is divided on a grid pattern by walkways and water channels. Although the today’s garden looks beautiful but does not look exactly as used to be when the tomb was built. By the second half of the nineteenth century the garden of the tomb was destroyed by negligence and later restoration did not took care a lot about the original layout of paths and water channels. The new landscaping of the early 20^th century shows the British influence.

The complex has lofty double storey gateways on the south and west, 16 meters high with rooms on either side of the passage and a small courtyard on the top floor. 

We can see the six-pointed star on either side of this arched entrance. These kinds of stars are cosmic symbol common to many religions including Hinduism and Islam. We can see the chattris at the corners on top of the entrance. Earlier the Western gate was not the main entrance to the tomb. Now it is where all the visitors enter the main Humayun tomb.

                                                         

Just after entering we can see glimpse of this marvelous piece of architecture. Large spectacular tomb can be seen from afar. The top of the finial of the dome is fifty meters above the ground. This building combines principles from various traditions

Humayun Tomb from the Western Entrance

Finial on top of Dome

The dome bulges slightly above the drum (base) and pulled up to a point at the top. Unlike most such domes the finial rises directly from the dome and has no lotus crest on top of the dome. The finial is a vertical pole of Sal wood encased in nine copper vessels on top of the each other with a brass finish and is nearly six meters tall.  The final got blown away in the storm on May 31, 2014.

The dome of the tomb is covered with marble and is decorated with very famous traditional Indian stone decoration. The surface of the building is decorated in very striking way. Arches and rectangular patterns are used to decorate the building. Chattris of various sizes are used at various levels adds to its beauty are seems to be taken from Indian art and culture. Various types of stones like Red and Yellow sandstone, black and white marbles are used in its construction

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The tomb is sitting on the top of red sandstone covered square platform chamfered on the edges to appear octagonal. There are arched recesses that run in a row right around the platform. The entrances set into them leads into a total of 124 chambers. One of the chambers is the grave of Humayun and rest houses the many graves of family members who were buried there over the course of several centuries. The tomb was designed to be approached from the South. The southern gate is more elaborate and wider than the Western gateway. We can see the use of white marble as a cladding material and also for flooring, lattice screens (jalis), door frames and eaves (chajja) and for the main dome.

Dome of Humayun Tomb

The entire base structure is on a raised platform, a few steps high. The architecture of the building is highly inspired by Persian architecture. The tomb is 47 m high and is 91 m wide and is the first Indian building to use the Persian double dome on a high neck drum which measures 42.5 m high. Its outer layer supporting white marbles and the inner part supports to the cavernous volume. The ceiling has some intricately carved and painted lime-stone plaster. The central tomb chamber large size is emphasized by its emptiness and plainness.

The mausoleum was maintained by successive emperors of the dynasty and many members of the royal family who were buried in the crypt below. This place has more than 150 graves. This building was used by Bhadurshah Jafar and his family members to escape and take shelter when the British reconquered Delhi after Sepoy mutiny

Cenotaph of Humayun

Stone jaalis fills the windows let in a filtered light. The patterns of the jaalis vary, generally becoming finer in small windows. The cenotaphs are made up of marbles and we can see the inscriptions in Urdu from Quran. Besides the central chamber we can see a number of marble cenotaphs in them. Most of them are unmarked and are believed to be of his wives and his daughters.

Jaalis and Symmetry

Filtered light through Jaalis

Another view of Jaalis at windows

Few more Symmetry from Humayun Tomb:

Humayun Tomb

Humayun Tomb

Design on the top of roof

Glimpses from Mehrauli Archaeological Complex

Mehrauli Archaeological Park is an archaeological area spread over 200 acre of land in Mehrauli, Delhi adjacent to Qutub Minar. It has some magnificent and fascinating buildings which attracts lot of tourist every year. 
Let’s explore some of the well known buildings and know their past.

Baolis:

Baoli also known as Bawdi (in Hindi), vaav (in Gujrati) are stepped wells where people can reach to water by descending a set of steps. They can also be multi-storied. 

Since ancient times, although Delhi is situated on the bank of river Yamuna, there had always been an acute crisis of water supply. In the medieval times these Baolis were constructed to cope up with the blistering Indian summers and fluctuating ground water levels. These Baolis, have meticulous architectural concepts for water conservation. Along with a technique of water conservation they also used to serve as a gathering place for gossips and retreat for the locals from blazing summer in the evenings. Let's have a visit to the famous baolis of this area.

Rajon ki Baoli (Rajon ki Bain)

Panorama view of Rajon ki Baoli/Bain

Rajon ki Baoli also known as Rajon ki Bain is a splendid example of stepped well, in the Mehrauli archaeological park. This is one of the beautiful baoli, in Delhi. ‘Rajon’, in the instance, does not refer to the Kings but ‘Masons’. The adjacent to this Baoli there is a mosque and a tomb.

Rajon ki Baoli

The Baoli dates from the Lodi period and is a large one, but not one of the deepest baolis. It was constructed in the year of 1516 by Daulat Khan, the governor of Punjab during the reign of Sikander Lodhi of Lodhi dynasty. Three long flights of broad steps leading down to water which spreads out in a pool at the bottom. There is also a conventional well opening at the far end. The name of the Baoli was given on the name of Mansons(also known as ‘Raj’ in Hindi) who used it for some time.

A unique feature of this Baoli, is one cannot see the flight of the steps until he stands on the first step. There are rest rooms surrounding the well. The beautiful symmetrical buildings on the side of the Baoli add to its beauty. In those olden days, it is believed to be a favourite halt for the travellers and businessman, where they can take rest in the rest room, pray to Allah and enjoy the pleasant weather in hot sunny days.

Some exquisite pieces of plaster decoration can also be seen on the mosque adjacent to this tomb.

Plaster Decoration on the walls of Mosque at Rajon ki Baoli

Inside the Mosque at Rajon ki Baoli

Gandhak ki Baoli (Diving Well)

Gandhak ki Baoli

Gandhak Ki Baoli is also a famous visiting place in Mehrauli village, within a fenced enclosure. It was constructed by Emperor Illtutmish, one of the Turkish ‘slave sultans’. This is believed to be one of the oldest stepped wells in Delhi.

This was a well that was fed by a natural sulphur spring. Sulphur also know as ‘Gandhak’ in Hindi, from where this Baoli got its name. This Baoli is having the shape of huge five tiered structure. It is having a circular well towards the southern side. This is also known as ‘Diving Well’ as this well was famous amongst the local inhabitants and used as a sport venue for diving and swimming. Moreover the water of this well is believed to having healing properties because of presence of Sulphur

Nature’s beauty photography @Archaeological garden

Just entering in the Archaeological Park we can see the Rose Garden. Beside the Rose garden there is a nursery where different variety of flowers can be seen. The beauty of flower will definitely attract you and is a amazing place for photography.

Jamali Kamali Masjid

Jamali Kamali Mosque

Information about Jamali Kamali

 The Jamali Kamali Masjid was built in 1528 by a famous Sufi saint and poet called Shaikh Fazlullah also known as Jalal Khan, better known by his pen name ‘Jamali’. He lived under the Lodhi and Mughal dynasty and was given equal respect by both the emperors. 

It is built in Red stone and its architecture reflects the transition between Lodhi and Mughal architecture. The arched door way is set in the large central arch and above this, is a small, arched opening with a base supported on carved stone brackets. This type of architecture can be easily seen on the monuments and buildings constructed during that period. There are five arches whose size gets increased towards the center.


Maulana Jamali died in 1536 in Gujrat and it is said that his body was brought back to Delhi and he was buried in the room in which he had lived. The grave in the center of the room is that of  Jamali. There is another grave of an unknown person to the east of Jamali’s grave. Probably just because of rhyme with Jamali rather than any historical reason he was given the name ‘Kamali’ The Tomb and often the whole area is properly known as Jamali Kamali.

Main Largest Central arch of Jamali Kamali Mosque

Inside Jamali Kamali Mosque

Qutub Complex : For your eyes only

The Qutub Minar complex stands at the core of an early fortified city of Delhi – Lal Kot (red fortress) built by Angpal II of Tomar dynasty in eleventh century.. The Tomars were overthrown by Chauhans and then Chauhans by Turks, further followed by the Slave dynasty.

These monuments are splendid examples of architecture. Let us explore these examples of human excellence and impeccable precision through a photographic tour of the Qutub Complex.

Qutub Minar

Qutub Minar, originally an Islamic monument, is a UNESCO world heritage site. It is located in Mehrauli; South Delhi. It is a massive tower (73 m), 2nd tallest minar of India, made of Red Sandstone, with a distinctive silhouette. It is one of the most readily recognized visual symbols of the city of Delhi and is one of the most visited tourist attraction of the city. It was designed to be a symbol of the Turkish victory over North India.

This was designed and started by Qutubuddin Aibak .The first storey of the Qutub Minar was built during the reign of Qutubuddin Aibak and rest structure was built under Illtutmish. The word Qutub means 'the pole star around which the heaven revolves'. Decoration on the minar consists of finely carved sandstone and some marbles. The tower is divided into five storeys, each of which is topped by a projecting balcony, the underside of which is richly carved. Bands of calligraphy encircle each storey and are embellished in the same style that is found on the screen of arches in the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque. The inscriptions consist of verses from the Quran and about the history of its construction and repairs.

The Qutub Minar has undergone many rounds of repairs. Originally the tower consisted of only four storeys. Lightning struck it in 1368 causing its damage. It was repaired by the, then ruling Emperor Firoz Shah Tuglak. In the process of restoration certain fundamental alterations were made to the structure. He was probably who introduced the marble. The fourth and final storey was rebuilt as two storeys and decorated using marble. Lightning again struck and injured the minar in the reign of Sikandar Lodhi, who restored it in 1503. These events are recorded as inscriptions on the minar. After the time it does not seem to have received any attention until early in the nineteenth century, when it was in a terribly dilapidated condition as the results of the earthquakes in 1782 and 1803. In the late 1820s, under the rule of British East India Company, Major Smith, an army engineer was assigned to carry out repairs. Unfortunately many of the facing stones that had fallen down were put back without regard for the original order, so that inscriptions became unreadable. Major Smith added a balustrade in Gothic style to the projecting balconies. A new structure was placed on the top of the tower which was widely condemned and finally taken down in 1848.

The minar is some 238 feet high (73 m approx.), 47 feet in diameter at the bottom, and 9 feet only at the top and ascended by 379 steps. It is divided into five storeys by four balconies, the undersides of which are most beautifully carved in a design. The first storey is 95 feet high, with alternate semi-circular and angular flutings; the second and third storeys are 51 and 41 feet in height respectively, the flutings in the one being semi-circular, in the other angular; while the last two stories are 25 and 22 feet high, and have no flutings at all. Round the tower praises of the builder, Qutubuddin Aibak, and of his master Mohamed of Ghor, with texts of the Kuran and the ninety-nine name of Allah, all written in Kufic character.

Images from Qutub Minar

Qutub Minar from Illtutmish tomb

Fourth storey of Qutub Minar

Third storey of Qutub Minar

Second storey of Qutub Minar

Carvings at first and second storey of Qutub Minar

Inscriptions on the walls of first storey

Behind the Quwwat-ul-Islam Masjid

Panorama view of Qutub Minar from entrance

Iron Pillar

Iron Pillar

English translation of the inscription on Iron Pillar

It is the oldest structure in the complex.  It dates from the fourth century. The inscription on it in a language is not now in use. This inscription records the erection of the pillar by a king, whose name is read Chandra and was a votary of the Lord Vishnu. There is also inscribed on the pillar the record of the building, or rebuilding, of Delhi by Tomar king, Ang Pal in A.D 1052.

The heavy pillar 7 meters high is made of very pure cast iron and is a remarkable piece of Metallurgy, as it has continued to be virtually free from rust through centuries. Moreover, it shows that an immense amount of patience and hard work must have been necessary before it assumed its present shape as there are no iron ore repositories in neighbourhood.

Alai Minar

                                   Alai Minar

This is a large circular structure built of stone rubble masonry to the north-east of Illtutmish tomb. This was built by the emperor, Alauddin Khilji, who ruled between 1296 and 1316. The ambitious nature of Sultan Alauddin made him win many battles. After such one win from one of his Deccan campaigns he decided to build Alai Minar twice as big as Qutub Minar to celebrate his victory. The first floor of Alai Minar was completed and measured 24.5 meter high. Unfortunately the construction was abandoned after the death of Alauddin Khilji in 1316 AD. The ruins of the minar are only so far interesting as to show how it was constructed.

Aamir Khusro, the renowned Sufi poet and saint during the reign of Khilji dynasty mentions Alauddin’s intention to extend the mosque and constructing another minar in his work ‘Tarikh-i-alai’. This building never got completed after the death of the great conqueror Alauddin Khilji.








Tomb of Illtutmish 

Illtutmish Tomb

It was built in 1230 by Shamsuddin Illtutmish, who was originally the slave of Qutubuddin Aibak and finally succeeded himself as the Sultan of Delhi, and ruled from 1211 to 1236. Its architecture also reflects the mixture of Indian and Islamic architecture. The motifs are more stylish and geometrical, indicates better understanding of the structure by the craftsmen in the three decades. We can see the motifs of lotus and kalash, which finally became fairly constant feature of Sultanate architecture.

It is a square chamber and is open to the sky. Some argue that a dome once crowned it. Illtutmish died in 1236, and troublous time followed, which may have been the cause of the work having been abandoned. But it is also argued that if there had been a dome, its fall would have injured the cenotaph of the king, which does not appear to have sustained any damage.

The exterior is quiet plain and the walls are seven and a half feet in thickness. Inside the surface of the walls is covered in sandstone carved in a style similar to that the screen placed outside. The western wall indicating the direction of prayer is richly decorated with the marvel carvings. Outside the northern doorway one can see the opening in the ground, which leads towards the grave chamber of Illtutmish. The actual grave is in the ground beneath the tomb structure. The large marble cenotaph stands in the middle on top of the grave. 

Marble Carvings at Illtumish Tomb

Carvings and design on the walls of Illtutmish Tomb