Jahaz Mahal, Hauz-i-Shamsi, Mehrauli

 

This article is a part of My (Vikram) and Gaurav’s Delhi Expedition…

“Didar-e-Dilli”

Jahaz Mahal was a Sarai (inn) built between 1451 AD and 1526 AD for pilgrims visiting Delhi from Afghanistan, Ira, Iraq, Arabia, Morocco, Turkey and other Islamic Countries to the Muslim shrines like Hazrat Kaki’s Dargah and Hazrat Nizamuddin’s Dargah.

It was built during Lodhi Dynasty, next to Hauz-i-Shamsi. the name Jahaz Mahal (The Ship Palace) was given because of its ship like reflection in water body next to it.

 

Hauz-I-Shamsi

Hauz-i-Shamsi was a water reservoir built by the Mamluk Emperor Shams-ud-din Iltutmish in 1230 (200 years before Jahaz Mahal). At the edge of this Water body, is the tomb of 17th century Persian writer of Mughal Court Abul Haqq Dehlavi.

A popular legend narrated is of Iltumish’s dream in which Prophet Muhammad directed him to build a reservoir at a particular site. When Iltumish inspected the site the day after his dream, he reported to have found a hoof print of Muhammad’s horse. He then erected a pavilion to mark the sacred location and excavated a large tank (reservoir) around the pavilion to harvest rain water.

Another version of the legend linked is that the Holy Prophet appeared in a dream not only to Iltumish but also to the Muslim sufi saint Khawaja indicating the same particular location, where the hoof print of Muhammad’s horse was imprinted, for the construction of a water tank. Since drinking water supply was acute in the newly founded capital of Iltumish (the first medieval city of Qila Rai Pithora of Delhi) a tank was dug at the location indicated in the dream, which resulted in water jetting out from a spring source. It was, thereafter, named as Hauz-i-Shamsi, and Khawaja, the saint who divined it, came to be known as Hazrat Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki or simply ‘Kaki’. The name Kaki was attributed to him by virtue of this keramat (miracle). The Khawaja died in 1235 AD. He is buried in Mehrauli (near the Qutab Minar) and it is inferred that Qutub Minar was also named after him

Source: Wikipedia

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Location

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Siliserh Lake Palace, Alwar (Rajasthan)

We were planning to go to Taj Mahal (Agra) but had to stay late at office. Everyone was sad because such a nice and long awaited program was ruined. Suddenly in morning, one of my dad’s friends told us that there is a nice place just 12 Kms. off Alwar towards Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary.

I called Abhishek and Gaurav, got ready and we all headed towards Rajasthan. It took about 4 hours to reach there. Route was awesome. Delhi-Jaipur highway is smooth and congestion-free.

Maharaja Vinay Singh built this palace for his queen Shila in 1845 AD. Siliserh Lake spans over a wide expansion of seven sq kms. and when filled completely, it covers area of 10 sq. Kms. This lake poses as an imposing backdrop to the Siliserh palace, which has been converted in to a heritage hotel by Rajasthan Tourism. With a splendid regal palace, the lake has an inspiring mix of breathtaking beauty and architectural charisma. This pretty lake is festooned with domed cenotaphs, which themselves boast of a grandeur in architecture.

 

This nice lake offers boating to tourists. But a hoarding at lake-shore says “Beware of Crocodiles”. However, I haven’t seen any crocodile during my last two visits to this place. The smell of green dirty water is not too good, but the view of hills is so awesome, that photographers can spend hours and hours in there.

 

We were in lake till evening. Left that place at around 5 and headed Delhi. There are some nice restaurants as you come out of Alwar. Rajasthani food was very good. But the best part in entire trip was when our car got stuck in heard of sheep while we were going towards Alwar.

If you stay in Delhi/Jaipur and you are fed up with your busy schedule, you must visit this place often for peace. This place is so remote and hidden, that hardly anyone knows about it.