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