The Forgotten Cities of Delhi by Rana Safvi

Author:Rana Safvi
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: null
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers India
Published: 2018-06-15T00:00:00+00:00

Mehdiya’n

Hasti apni habaab ki si hai,

Yeh numaaish saraab ki si hai

My life is like a bubble

This world seems a mirage

Mir Taqi Mir

This was an iconic monument, which has graced the cover of many a book on medieval Delhi monuments. It no longer exists but I am describing it here for reference as not much is known about it. It was between Turkman and Delhi Darwaza, located inside Firozabad, the city built by Sultan Firoz Shah and in the early twentieth century only its ruins existed. It was a circular tower and measured 118 feet × 88 feet built on a 12 feet high plinth. It had arched entrances in the lower portion with four burjis on each of the four sides and one in the centre.

There is no authentic proof of the name of the builder but as per legend a Nawab Saheb who had great faith in Syed Abdul Qadir Jilani, Ghaus-ul-Azam, built it in 1354 AD. In Sufi traditions, particularly in India, urs celebrations are held to commemorate the death anniversaries of sufi saints. Mehdiya’n was for celebrating the urs of Syed Abdul Qadir Jilani. The custom was to make bamboo structures and cover it with bright coloured paper and light lamps on it. This was called menhdi.

A nawab saheb who had great faith in the saint also used to take out a menhdi. When he became rich and in a position to do something for his saint, he got this built in the same shape as the bamboo menhdi. He would illuminate this building and give charity on the day of the ceremony. Nothing is known about him, though.

This monument became famous as Kushk-e-Mehdiya’n and was immortalized by the Daniells (William and Thomas) in his watercolour and is one of the most iconic paintings of medieval India. The Maulana Azad Medical College now stands on this location.

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