Pixelated Memories: Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque

November 16, 2012

Imam Zamin's Tomb, New Delhi

In about 1500 AD, during the reign of Sultan Sikandar Lodi (1489-1517 AD), a saint known as Muhammad Ali arrived from Turkestan & began living in Delhi. He came to be called as Imam Zamin (“Imam” literally translates to Islamic priest, perhaps the saint also occupied some position in the adjoining Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque, refer Pixelated Memories - Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque) & accumulated enough wealth to build himself a small tomb in a corner of the magnificent Qutb Complex (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). It is not clear why he was christened with this new name.

Zamin's Tomb

Standing next to the more famous Alai Darwaza, the tomb is a small square structure built in Delhi’s Lodi-style of architecture. It is surmounted by a sandstone dome that stands on two rows of kanguras (battlement like ornamentation on structures, supposed to look militaristic but is actually not). Twelve square pillars support the entire structure & the space between them is filled with intricate jalis (stone lattice work).

Crafted for perfection

The tomb, built with white marble & red sandstone with its assortment of jalis houses not only the sarcophagus of the saint, but also a small mihrab (wall indicating the direction of Mecca, faced by Muslims when saying Namaz) for offering prayers. Elaborately carved in marble, the mihrab is a piece of art & contrasts with the brilliant orange roof of the tomb.

Little wonder!!

Other adornments include floral medallions & stunning calligraphy at the door of the tomb, & the tomb also features small chajjas (roof projections to protect the person standing underneath from direct rain & harsh sunlight – an ingenious Indian architectural innovation).

Mihrab secrets

The saint saw Delhi pass from the hands of the Lodi Dynasty to the Mughals under Babur, & when he died in 1539 AD Babur’s son Humayun was on throne & building his new capital. Zamin was buried in his tomb, which was simple elegance personified.

The unique "ribbed" dome-roof of the tomb

Location : Qutb Complex, Mehrauli, New Delhi
Open : Sunrise to Sunset
Entrance fee : Indians - Rs 10, Foreigners - Rs 250
Photography charges : Nil
Video charges : Rs 25
Nearest Metro Station : Saket Metro Station & Qutb Minar Station are equidistant.
How to reach : Taxis, buses & autos can be availed from different parts of the city. The structures are quite a walk from the metro stations & one will have to take bus/auto from there on.
Time required for sightseeing : 30 min
Facilities available : Wheelchair access, Audio guides.
Relevant Links -

October 30, 2012

Alai Minar, New Delhi

After having made substantial additions to the Qutb Minar & the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque within the Qutb Complex, Alauddin Khilji (AD 1296-1316), one of the foremost sultans of the Khilji Dynasty perhaps felt the need for his own magnum opus within the complex. He embarked on an ambitious project that would dwarf all other structures in the entire country, even the mighty Qutb Minar that Qutbuddin established a almost a century earlier as an axis of Islam. Sadly, Alauddin met his creator before he could create another mammoth structure to awe & behold his subjects & the coming generations. His project – the incomplete Alai Minar – still stands in one corner of the Qutb complex, its unfinished exteriors dressed with rubble & stone showing off its unabashed ugliness to all who care to spare a glimpse. Perhaps if this minaret would have been finished, it might have been a new paradigm of architectural magnificence & superiority of skill & taste. But who knows?? Alauddin left behind only the first floor of his minaret (single floor 24.5 m high, compared to the Qutb Minar’s five-storied 72.5 m), & that too tilting to some extent & sans any ornamental work or calligraphic decoration. His descendants did not care to complete his work, even though he raised Qutbuddin’s minaret to new heights. He would certainly have tossed in his grave which lies nearby the Quwwat mosque, but then the incomplete minaret is perhaps the least of his worries now. The roof of his tomb, his final resting place, fell down a long time ago leaving his grave to the mercy of nature. Fate has certainly played hard on this ruler after his death – now he might be dead & under earth, but when he was alive the whole earth was under him!!

The Alai Minar

November 16, 2012

Imam Zamin's Tomb, New Delhi

October 30, 2012

Alai Minar, New Delhi

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