Sight Address : Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque,Ladha Sarai, Mehrauli, New Delhi, DL Edit
Detail InformationEdit
Quwwat-ul-Islam Masjid, was constructed in the early half of the 12th century by Qutub-ud-Din Aibak. The mosque is situated in Mehrauli.The mosque has been exquisitely built with a rectangular court in the centre, surrounded by covered passages. These passages were erected with engraved columns and other architectural works .
Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque in Delhi
HistoryEdit
Quwwat-ul-Islam was sponsored by Qutb-ud-din Aibak, founder of the Mamluk dynasty. Born a slave in Turkey, Qutb rose to prominence as a general during Muhammed Ghari’s invasion of India in the 1180s. After Muhammed’s assassination in 1206, Qutb seized the throne and crowned himself Sultan of the Mamluk dynasty, often disparagingly called the “Slave Dynasty” after Qutb’s origins. Although the dynasty lasted for only a few centuries, Muslim rule in India endured up to the British occupation in 1858. Qutb was a fanatical Muslim. When his garrison occupied Delhi under the command of Muhammed Ghari in 1192, he ordered the destruction of twenty-seven Hindu and Jain temples to furnish building materials for the construction of Delhi’s first mosque. Quwwat-ul-Islam, the “Glory of Islam,” was hastily erected by the young Amir, who conscripted an army of local craftsmen, presumably Hindus, to assemble the structure. The Hindu stonemasons re-used columns from the destroyed temples, but adapting them to use in a mosque proved problematic given Islam’s injunction against the use of images in temples. The masons were forced to plaster over the highly sculpted Hindu columns and presumably cover them with geometric designs. However, after centuries of neglect the plaster has fallen away, revealing the original Hindu carvings.The Quwwat-ul-Islam is best known for its tower of victory, celebrating the Muslim conquest of India. It is built of red sandstone, gray quartz, and white marble, but is probably inspired by the iron “Pillar of the Law” that stands on the site. Built in the Mauryan dynasty in the 6th century, it is the only piece of the temple that stands in its original location. Qutb built around it when he constructed the mosque. Although made of iron, it has resisted rust for over 1,500 years, evidence of the Mauryan’s superb knowledge of metallurgy.
Must SeeEdit
Attraction
Visiting TimeEdit
9am-6pm
Closed OnEdit
N.A.
Best Season to VisitEdit
October to March
Best Time To VisitEdit
Morning,Afternoon & Evening
Time Required for SightseeingEdit
N.A.
Ticket Required : Yes Edit
Individual National Adult Rs. : Rs.10
Kids Rs. : No Fee
Individual Foreigner Adult Rs. : Rs.250
Kids Rs. : No Fee
Still Photo Camera Rs. : N.A.
Video Camera Rs. : N.A.
Guide Required : No Edit
Approximate cost: N.A.
Dress Code (If Any) : No Edit
Dress Require: N.A.
Restaurants NearbyAdd / Edit
- Sheraton Delhi ; Saket District Centre New Delhi, DL 110017 ; Ph/M – 011 4266 1122 ; Food Serve – N.A.
How to ReachEdit
Taxi : This place is well connected by road the taxi service is available for this destination. Call 40406060 to get cab at any place and to anywhere in Delhi. Price will be – Indica Vista (New) 10.00 Rs/ km, Indigo cs /Swift Dezire (New) 12 Rs/Km, Tavera (New) 13 Rs / km, Xylo (New) 13 Rs / km, Innova (New) 13 Rs / km, XUV-500 (New) 16.00 Rs/km, BMW (New) 80.00 Rs/km, Audi (New) 90.00 Rs/km, Honda City (New) 30.00 Rs/km, Tempo Traveller (New) 17.00 Rs/km, Corola (New) 30.00 Rs/km Honda-crv (New) 40.00 Rs/km, Mercedes (New) 90.00 Rs/km.
Bus : Tourists can either take local buses from various points within the city to reach this sight, which is located in North Delhi.
Train : For foreigners, it’s easiest to make ticket bookings at the helpful International Tourist Bureau 23405156; 1st floor, New Delhi train station; 8am-8pm Mon-Sat, to 2pm Sun). Do not believe anyone – including porters – who tells you it has shifted,closed or burnt down and don’t let anyone stop you from going to the 1st floor of the main building for bookings. When making reservations here, if you are paying in rupees you may have to provide back-up money exchange certificates (or ATM receipts), so take these with you just in case.
Air : International and domestic flights all leave from and arrive at the airport’s gleaming new Terminal. For flight inquiries, call the international airport (0124-3376000; www.newdelhi airport.in). At the new Terminal 3 there are 14‘nap & go’ rooms with wi-fi, a desk, TV and bed (₹315/hr). For comprehensive details of domestic air routes, see Excel’s Timetable of Air Services Within India (₹55), available at news stands When making reservations request the most direct (quickest) route. Note that airline prices fluctuate and website bookings with some carriers can be markedly cheaper.
Jagson Airlines (23721593 Vandana Bldg, 11 Tolstoy Marg)
Kingfisher Airlines (23730238; 42N-Block, Connaught Place).
Others : METRO The new high-speed metro line is the best way to get to/from the airport, and runs between New Delhi train station and Dwarka Sector 21, via Shivaji Stadium, Dhaula Kuan NH8 (Mahipalpur station) and Indira Gandhi International station (Terminal 3). Trains operate every 10 minutes from 5am to 1am. Cycle-rickshaws are still in use in parts of Old Delhi, though they have been banned in Chandni Chowk to reduce congestion. Let’s hope they’re not banned in other areas, as they’re the best way to get around Old Delhi – the drivers are wizards at weaving through the crowds. Tips are appreciated for this gruelling work.
Things to CarryEdit
Carry a bottle of drinking water.
Safety / WarningEdit
Keep daily cash in separate pockets.
HelplineEdit
Fire – 101
Ambulance – 102
Child Helpline – 1098
Women Helpline Number : 1091
Accident & Trauma Service – 1099
Police Control Room Number : 100
Tourist City Information Service – 1286
