Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque
Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque (built 1192 - 1316) Quwwat-ul-Islam was sponsored by Qutb-ud-din Aibak, founder of the Mamluk dynasty. The Quwwat-ul-Islam is best known for its tower of victory, celebrating the Islamic conquest of India. 27 Jain and Hindu temples were dismantled and their stonework salvaged into the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque.[1][2] It consists of a rectangular courtyard enclosed by cloisters. Perhaps it was the first monument of iconoclast in India. It is in contradiction to Hasan Nizami's account of Aibak as peaceful and 'Lakh Baksh' or 'giver of lakhs' in his book Taj-ul-Masir. It is said he was generous and spent huge sums in charity. But it may also be that the monument was hurriedly built with the building material from the temple as Aibak had not established himself firmly in India at that time.
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 thought there is no evidence to confirm the religious demography of the craftsmen[3]
The Qūwat-ul-Islām mosque (completed 1196), consisting of cloisters around a courtyard with the sanctuary to the west, was built from the remains of demolished temples celebrating the Muslim conquest of India.[4] It is built of red sandstone, gray quartz, and white marble, but is probably inspired by the “Iron Pillar " that stands on the site. Built in the Gupta 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.
Later, a lofty arched screen was erected and the mosque was enlarged, by Shams-ud- Din Iltutmish (A.D. 1210 - 1235) and Ala-ud-Din Khalji. The Iron Pillar in the courtyard bears an inscription in Sanskrit in Brahmi script of fourth century A.D., according to which the pillar was set up as a Vishnudhvaja (standard of god Vishnu) on the hill known as Vishnupada in memory of a mighty king named Chandra. A deep socket on the top of the ornate capital indicates that probably an image of Garuda was fixed into it.[5][6]
Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque Media
Close up of the inscriptions on entrance arch, Alai Darwaza built by Alauddin Khalji
Qutb Minar and Alai Darwaza (Alai Gate), the entrance to the Quwwat-Ul-Islam Mosque
Quwwat-ul-Islam (or Might of Islam) mosque started in 1193 CE by Qutb-ud-din-Aibak to mark his victory over the Rajputs
Intricate stone carvings on the cloister columns at Quwwat ul-Islam Mosque, Qutb complex, Delhi – Hindu pillars sporting Hindu iconography
The Iron pillar in the Qutb Complex
This is a photo of ASI monument number
Qutb Minar Tomb of Imam Zamin
Alauddin Khalji's Madrasa, which also has his tomb to the south, ca 1316 AD
Alai Minar in Qutab Minar complex, Delhi
I found this image in my vivo glance app, i am not the © holder.
References
- ↑ Wright, Colin. "Hindu columns in the colonnade of the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque at the Qutb, Delhi. 1003883". www.bl.uk. Archived from the original on 2023-04-16. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
- ↑ "South Asian arts - Islāmic architecture in India: period of the Delhi and provincial sultanates | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
- ↑ Mehta, J L (1986). Advanced Study In The History Of Mediaeval India Volume I. New Delhi: Sterling Publishers. ISBN 978 81 207 0617 0.
- ↑ "South Asian arts - Islāmic architecture in India: period of the Delhi and provincial sultanates | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
- ↑ "Culture And Heritage - Monuments - Qutub Minar - Know India: National Portal of India". knowindia.gov.in. Archived from the original on 2019-09-29. Retrieved 2020-09-14.
- ↑ orientalarchitecture.com. "Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, Delhi, India". Asian Architecture. Retrieved 2020-09-14.
