Qutub complex2 (original) (raw)

Jamali Kamali�s Mosque and Tomb: Recently renovated by INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage) , Jamali Kamali is a tomb and mosque in memory of Jamali. His tomb has two graves - one of him and the other of an unidentified person called Kamali, which is why it goes by the name of Jamali Kamali. Also known as Shaikh Fazl-u-llah or Sheikh Jalal Khan, Jamali was a poet-saint who lived through the reigns of Sikander Lodi, Babur and died during the lifetime of Humayun. The tomb and mosque lie about 300 metres south of Qutub Minar. The mosque was completed around 1528-29. The original gate still survives. The prayer hall's ceilings and walls are highly ornamented with coloured tiles and patterns and inscriptions by Jamali.

Tomb of Adham Khan: Adham Khan was the son of Maham Anga, a wet nurse of Akbar. Thus he became a foster brother of the emperor and elevated to the rank of a general. But he fell out with Akbar's favourite general, Ataga Khan and killed him. A furious Akbar had him thrown down the ramparts of the Agra Fort. Later, the emperor repented and built his tomb near Qutub Minar.

The octagonal dome soon came to be known as Bhul Bhulaiyan because a visitor can get lost in its labyrinthine passages.

Tomb of Quli Khan: Muhmmad Quli Khan was the brother of Adham Khan. His tomb lies about 150 metres south east of Qutab Minar. It later served as the residence of Sir Charles Metcalfe, Resident at the Mughal court. Metcalfe erected certain structures for his use in pseudo-Mughal style that now lie in ruins.

Jahaz Mahal: 200 metres away from Qutub, Jahaz Mahal served as a resort for pilgrims during the Lodhi period.This elegant structure near Qutub Minar was built sometime in the Lodhi period (1451-1526) and is believed to have served as a resort for pilgrims. There is also a small mosque inside the structure. It acquired its name as in appearance it looks like a ship and is situated beside a vast lake. Today the Phoolwalon Ki Sair originates from here.

The other important historical sites around Qutub include the tombs of Muslim emperor Balban and Iltutmish, the son and successor of Qutubuddin Aibak, builder of Qutub Minar. Besides, there are stepwells built during the Muslim and Mughal eras as also more mosques and other stone structures.

Says A.K. Sinha, superintending archaeologist (Delhi circle) of ASI, and head of the Qutub unification project, " Each monument has its own relevance and its own historical setting. We realised that a heritage site like the Qutub Minar cannot be viewed in isolation and to appreciate it fully, integration of monuments in its vicinity is imperative... Integration or clustering is not like replanting of trees. It means bringing an inter-relationship by preserving and restoring the monuments with the world heritage monument. Proper documentation is the top priority for integration of these monuments, many of which lie in ruins. Then come their restoration and road linkages to the Qutub."

Elaborating on the concept, Perera says, " UNESCO has suggested that integration should be on the same pattern as that done with Buddhist structures. At the central point there is Bodhgaya, where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. It is linked to other important sites like Lumbini, Buddha's birth place, Sarnath where he preached and Kushi Nagar, his final resting place."

The Qutub integration plan has been welcomed by the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) which had for years been espousing a holistic development of the Qutub complex.

In the last few years many important historical monuments have been scarred by encroachments and Qutub is one of them. The area around the main complex has been cleared, but what worries historians are the illegal settlements around other monuments.

" First the encroachments must be removed, only then can it succeed," says Ashish Banerjee, member-secretary of INTACH. He adds, " Though the ASI law says that no encroachments can take place within a 200-metre periphery of a heritage monument, it does not have administrative clout for implementation. It has been observed encroachments take place most of the time when authorities act hand-in-glove with the local politicians."

The ASI has similar plans for other heritage sites like the Humayun Tomb and Purana Quila in Delhi, Golconda Fort in Secundrabad, Vishnupur Temple in Burdwan and Bom Jesus in Goa.

Says UNESCO's Perera, " Such integration is vital. If it is not done now, a part of the history will be lost. It is only by preserving the past that we can progress."

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