50-742: The Feroz Shah Kotla or Kotla ("fortress", "citadel") was a fortress built circa 1354 by Feroz Shah Tughlaq to house his version of Delhi called Firozabad . A pristine polished sandstone Topra Ashokan pillar from the 3rd century BC rises from the palace's crumbling remains, one of many pillars of Ashoka left by the Mauryan emperor; it was moved from Topra Kalan in Pong Ghati of Yamunanagar district in Haryana to Delhi under orders of Firoz Shah Tughlaq of Delhi Sultanate, and re-erected in its present location in 1356. The original inscription on
100-589: A Baoli and a large garden complex. Feroz Shah Tughlaq (r. 1351–1388), the Sultan of Delhi , established the fortified city of Firozabad in 1354, as the new capital of the Delhi Sultanate , and included in it the site of the present Feroz Shah Kotla. Kotla literally means fortress or citadel. The pillar, also called obelisk or Lat is an Ashoka Column , attributed to Mauryan ruler Ashoka. The 13.1 meters high column, made of polished sandstone and dating from
150-578: A large personal library of manuscripts in Persian, Arabic and other languages. He brought 2 Ashokan Pillars from Meerut , and Topra near Radaur in Yamunanagar district of Haryana , carefully cut and wrapped in silk, to Delhi in bullock cart trains. He re-erected one of them on the roof of his palace at Firuz Shah Kotla. Transfer of capital was the highlight of his reign. When the Qutb Minar
200-406: A large personal library of manuscripts in Persian, Arabic and other languages. He brought 2 Ashokan Pillars from Meerut , and Topra near Radaur in Yamunanagar district of Haryana , carefully cut and wrapped in silk, to Delhi in bullock cart trains. He re-erected one of them on the roof of his palace at Firuz Shah Kotla. Transfer of capital was the highlight of his reign. When the Qutb Minar
250-474: A series of underground cells made of quartzite stone, covered with limestone. It is surrounded by a large courtyard with cloisters and a Prayer Hall. The Prayer Hall now in complete ruins was once used by the Royal Ladies. The masjid and its architecture is an example of Tughluq architecture. The entrance of Jami Masjid lies on the northern side. It is connected by a causeway to the pyramidal structure of
300-458: A small boy on the throne claiming him to be the son of Muhammad bin Tughlaq, who meekly surrendered afterwards. Due to widespread unrest, his realm was much smaller than Muhammad's. Tughlaq was forced by rebellions to concede virtual independence to Bengal and other provinces. He established Sharia across his realm. His father's name was Rajab (the younger brother of Ghazi Malik ) who had
350-895: Is a huge crowd at the fort. It is popularly believed that Jinn (s) descends at the Fort from the Heavens and accepts requests and wishes from people. A lot of wishes, penned down on paper, can be seen on the walls within the premises. The association to Jinn (s) seems to be not too old. It is only since 1977, a few months after the end of the Emergency , that there are first records of people starting to come to Firoz Shah Kotla in large numbers. 28°38′08″N 77°14′42″E / 28.635508°N 77.245047°E / 28.635508; 77.245047 Firuz Shah Tughlaq Firuz Shah Tughlaq ( Persian : فیروز شاه تغلق , romanized : Fīrūz Shāh Tughlaq ; 1309 – 20 September 1388)
400-683: Is located in Hauz Khas (New Delhi), close to the tank built by Alauddin Khalji . Attached to the tomb is a madrasa built by Firuz Shah in 1352–53. Firuz Shah Tughlaq Firuz Shah Tughlaq ( Persian : فیروز شاه تغلق , romanized : Fīrūz Shāh Tughlaq ; 1309 – 20 September 1388) was the 19th sultan of Delhi from 1351 to 1388. A Muslim ruler from the Tughlaq dynasty , He succeeded his cousin Muhammad bin Tughlaq following
450-525: Is not separated from the well. It once has a roof on it, which collapsed long ago, exposing the tank at the second level. Originally it had an entry from East and West, but now, only the west side is accessible. Due to security reasons, the Baoli is kept locked, but permission to visit can be obtained easily for research purposes from the Delhi circle office of Archaeological Survey of India . Every Thursday there
500-598: Is towards the north of Jama Masjid [Mosque]. The Pillar was first erected by King Ashoka between 273 and 236 BC in Topra Kalan , Yamunanagar district , Haryana . Of note, there is another Ashokan Pillar, that is seen installed near the Hindu Rao Hospital, also erected by Ashoka in Meerut . This pillar, however, was unfortunately broken into five pieces after it was damaged during an explosion. The pillar
550-677: The graves of saints . He persecuted a number of sects that were considered heretical by the Muslim theologians. Tughlaq took to heart the mistakes made during his cousin Muhammad's rule. He decided not to reconquer areas that had broken away, nor to keep further areas from taking their independence. He was indiscriminately benevolent and lenient as a sultan. He decided to keep nobles and the Ulema happy so that they would allow him to rule his kingdom peacefully. "The southern states had drifted away from
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#1732782774142600-413: The spolia as building materials, and the rest was subsumed as New Delhi grew. Tughlaq was a Salafi Muslim who tried to uphold the laws of Islam and adopted Sharia policies. He made a number of important concessions to theologians. He tried to ban practices that the orthodox theologians considered un-Islamic, an example being his prohibition of the practice of Muslim women going out to worship at
650-493: The 3rd century BC, was brought from Ambala in the 14th century under orders of Feroz Shah. It was installed on a three-tiered arcaded pavilion near the congregational mosque, inside the Sultanate's fort. In centuries that followed, much of the structure and buildings near it were destroyed as subsequent rulers dismantled them and reused the spolia as building materials. In the pre-independence era, due to lack of auditoriums in
700-723: The Ashokan Pillar. This mosque was visited by Timur in 1398 AD to say his prayers. He was spellbound by its beauty and constructed a mosque in Samarkand in Mawarannahr imitating the design of this Masjid. This mosque is also known to be the place where Imad ul Mulk , a Mughal Prime Minister, got the Emperor Alamgir II murdered in 1759 AD. The Ashokan Pillar which is now within Feroz Shah Kotla
750-427: The Muslim theologians. Tughlaq took to heart the mistakes made during his cousin Muhammad's rule. He decided not to reconquer areas that had broken away, nor to keep further areas from taking their independence. He was indiscriminately benevolent and lenient as a sultan. He decided to keep nobles and the Ulema happy so that they would allow him to rule his kingdom peacefully. "The southern states had drifted away from
800-720: The Sultanate and there were rebellions in Gujarat and Sindh", while "Bengal asserted its independence." He led expeditions to against Bengal in 1353 and 1358. He captured Cuttack , desecrated the Jagannath Temple, Puri , and forced Raja Gajpati of Jajnagar in Orissa to pay tribute. He converted Chauhan Rajputs from Hinduism to Islam in the 14th century . They are now known as Qaimkhanis in Rajasthan . He laid siege to Kangra Fort and forced Nagarkot to pay tribute, and did
850-491: The Sultanate and there were rebellions in Gujarat and Sindh", while "Bengal asserted its independence." He led expeditions to against Bengal in 1353 and 1358. He captured Cuttack , desecrated the Jagannath Temple, Puri , and forced Raja Gajpati of Jajnagar in Orissa to pay tribute. He converted Chauhan Rajputs from Hinduism to Islam in the 14th century . They are now known as Qaimkhanis in Rajasthan . He laid siege to Kangra Fort and forced Nagarkot to pay tribute, and did
900-409: The capital, most classical music performances were staged here or at Qutub complex . Later Ebrahim Alkazi , then head of NSD, staged his landmark production of Dharamvir Bharati 's Andha Yug here and its premiere in 1964 was attended by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru . Jami Masjid is one of the most ancient and largest surviving mosque and monument, still in use. Architecturally it was built on
950-431: The caste of 'badpagey' were born to the queen. Rather than awarding position based on merit, Tughlaq allowed a noble's son to succeed to his father's position and jagir after his death. The same was done in the army, where an old soldier could send his son, son-in-law or even his slave in his place. He increased the salary of the nobles. He stopped all kinds of harsh punishments such as cutting off hands. He also lowered
1000-431: The caste of 'badpagey' were born to the queen. Rather than awarding position based on merit, Tughlaq allowed a noble's son to succeed to his father's position and jagir after his death. The same was done in the army, where an old soldier could send his son, son-in-law or even his slave in his place. He increased the salary of the nobles. He stopped all kinds of harsh punishments such as cutting off hands. He also lowered
1050-522: The death of Muhammad Tughlaq, he faced many rebellions, including in Bengal, Gujarat and Warangal . Nonetheless, he worked to improve the infrastructure of the empire building canals, rest-houses and hospitals, creating and refurbishing reservoirs and digging wells. He founded several cities around Delhi, including Jaunpur , Firozpur , Hissar , Firozabad , Fatehabad . Most of Firozabad was destroyed as subsequent rulers dismantled its buildings and reused
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#17327827741421100-425: The infrastructure of the empire building canals, rest-houses and hospitals, creating and refurbishing reservoirs and digging wells. He founded several cities around Delhi, including Jaunpur , Firozpur , Hissar , Firozabad , Fatehabad . Most of Firozabad was destroyed as subsequent rulers dismantled its buildings and reused the spolia as building materials, and the rest was subsumed as New Delhi grew. Tughlaq
1150-492: The journey. Upon reaching Delhi, they were then transported on huge boats to their final destination, one within Feroz Shah Kotla and the other on the ridge near Delhi University and Bara Hindu Rao Hospital. The Sultanate wanted to break and reuse the Ashokan pillar for a minaret. Firoz Shah Tuhglaq, however, decided to erect it near the mosque instead. At the time of re-installation of the obelisk in Delhi, in 1356, no one knew
1200-487: The land taxes that Muhammad had raised. Tughlaq's reign has been described as the greatest age of corruption in medieval India: He once gave a golden tanka to a distraught soldier so that he could bribe the clerk to pass his sub-standard horse . Tughlaq instituted economic policies to increase the material welfare of his people. Many rest houses ( sarai ), gardens and tombs ( Tughluq tombs ) were built. A number of madrasas (Islamic religious schools) were opened to encourage
1250-487: The land taxes that Muhammad had raised. Tughlaq's reign has been described as the greatest age of corruption in medieval India: He once gave a golden tanka to a distraught soldier so that he could bribe the clerk to pass his sub-standard horse . Tughlaq instituted economic policies to increase the material welfare of his people. Many rest houses ( sarai ), gardens and tombs ( Tughluq tombs ) were built. A number of madrasas (Islamic religious schools) were opened to encourage
1300-535: The latter's death at Thatta in Sindh , where Muhammad bin Tughlaq had gone in pursuit of Taghi the rebellious Muslim governor of Gujarat . For the first time in the history of the Sultanate, a situation was confronted wherein nobody was ready to accept the reins of power. With much difficulty, the camp followers convinced Firuz to accept the responsibility. In fact, Khwaja Jahan, the Wazir of Muhammad bin Tughlaq had placed
1350-529: The meaning of the script engraved in the stone. About five hundred years later, the script ( Brahmi ) was deciphered by James Prinsep in 1837 with help from scripts discovered on other pillars and tablets in South Asia. The inscription on the 3rd-century pillar describes King Devanampiya Piyadasi's policies and appeal to the people and future generations of the kingdom in matters of dharma (just, virtuous life), moral precepts and freedoms. Some extracts of
1400-532: The obelisk is primarily in Brahmi script but language was Prakrit, with some Pali and Sanskrit added later. The inscription was successfully translated to English in 1837 by James Prinsep . This and other ancient lats (pillars, obelisk) have earned Firoz Shah Tughlaq and Delhi Sultanate fame for its architectural patronage. Other than the Ashokan Pillar, the Fort complex also houses the Jami Masjid (Mosque),
1450-510: The performance of religious offices, and by security against persecution. (...) And that religion may be free from the persecution of men, that it may increase through the absolute prohibition to put to death (any) living beings or sacrifice aught that draweth breath. For such an object is all this done, that it may endure to my sons and sons' sons – as long the sun and the moon shall last. Let stone pillars be prepared and let this edict of dharma (religion) be engraved thereon, that it may endure unto
1500-521: The reins of power. With much difficulty, the camp followers convinced Firuz to accept the responsibility. In fact, Khwaja Jahan, the Wazir of Muhammad bin Tughlaq had placed a small boy on the throne claiming him to be the son of Muhammad bin Tughlaq, who meekly surrendered afterwards. Due to widespread unrest, his realm was much smaller than Muhammad's. Tughlaq was forced by rebellions to concede virtual independence to Bengal and other provinces. He established Sharia across his realm. His father's name
1550-485: The religious education of Muslims. He set up hospitals for the free treatment of the poor and encouraged physicians in the development of Unani medicine . He provided money for the marriage of girls belonging to poor families under the department of Diwan-i-khairat. He commissioned many public buildings in Delhi . He built Firoz Shah Palace Complex at Hisar in 1354 CE, over 300 villages and dug five major canals, including
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1600-434: The religious education of Muslims. He set up hospitals for the free treatment of the poor and encouraged physicians in the development of Unani medicine . He provided money for the marriage of girls belonging to poor families under the department of Diwan-i-khairat. He commissioned many public buildings in Delhi . He built Firoz Shah Palace Complex at Hisar in 1354 CE, over 300 villages and dug five major canals, including
1650-400: The remotest ages. The circular Baoli , which means 'stepwell', lies towards the northwestern side of the Ashokan Pillar. It lies in the heart of a large garden constructed in the form of subterranean apartments and a large underground canal built on its eastern side through which the water runs into the well. This is the only circular Baoli in Delhi, and also one of the 4 Baolis, where the tank
1700-406: The renovation of Prithviraj Chauhan era Western Yamuna Canal , for irrigation bringing more land under cultivation for growing grain and fruit. For day-to-day administration, Sultan Firuz Shah Tughlaq heavily depended on Malik Maqbul , previously commander of Warangal fort , who was captured and converted to Islam. When Tughlaq was away on a campaign to Sind and Gujarat for six months and no news
1750-406: The renovation of Prithviraj Chauhan era Western Yamuna Canal , for irrigation bringing more land under cultivation for growing grain and fruit. For day-to-day administration, Sultan Firuz Shah Tughlaq heavily depended on Malik Maqbul , previously commander of Warangal fort , who was captured and converted to Islam. When Tughlaq was away on a campaign to Sind and Gujarat for six months and no news
1800-511: The royal title to his grandson, Tughluq Khan. Tughlaq's death led to a war of succession coupled with nobles rebelling to set up independent states. His lenient attitude had strengthened the nobles, thus weakening his position. His successor Ghiyas-ud-Din Tughlaq II could not control the slaves or the nobles. The army had become weak and the empire had shrunk in size. Ten years after his death, Timur 's invasion devastated Delhi . His tomb
1850-452: The royal title to his grandson, Tughluq Khan. Tughlaq's death led to a war of succession coupled with nobles rebelling to set up independent states. His lenient attitude had strengthened the nobles, thus weakening his position. His successor Ghiyas-ud-Din Tughlaq II could not control the slaves or the nobles. The army had become weak and the empire had shrunk in size. Ten years after his death, Timur 's invasion devastated Delhi . His tomb
1900-410: The same shall be prescribed as duties to the people who follow after me, and in this manner shall their influence and increase be manifest – by service to father and mother, by service to spiritual pastors, by respectful demeanor to the aged and full of years, by kindness to learn, to the orphan and destitute and servants and minstrel tribe. And religion increaseth among men by two separate processes – by
1950-485: The same with Thatta . During his time Tatar Khan of Greater Khorasan attacked Punjab multiple times and during final battle in Gurdaspur his face was slashed by the sword given by Feroz Shah Tughlaq to Raja Kailash Pal of Mau-Paithan from Nagarkot region. Firuz Shah Tughlaq married off his daughter with Raja Kailash Pal, embraced him to Islam and sent the couple to rule Greater Khorasan , where eleven sons known by
2000-429: The same with Thatta . During his time Tatar Khan of Greater Khorasan attacked Punjab multiple times and during final battle in Gurdaspur his face was slashed by the sword given by Feroz Shah Tughlaq to Raja Kailash Pal of Mau-Paithan from Nagarkot region. Firuz Shah Tughlaq married off his daughter with Raja Kailash Pal, embraced him to Islam and sent the couple to rule Greater Khorasan , where eleven sons known by
2050-572: The title Sipahsalar . His mother Naila, a Hindu woman, was the daughter of Raja Mal from a concubine of Dipalpur which is now in the Punjab region of Pakistan. We know of Firuz Shah Tughlaq in part through his 32-page autobiography, titled Futuhat-i- Firuz Shahi . He was 42 when he became Sultan of Delhi in 1351. He ruled until 1388. At his succession, after the death of Muhammad Tughlaq, he faced many rebellions, including in Bengal, Gujarat and Warangal . Nonetheless, he worked to improve
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2100-457: The translation, per James Prinsep , are as follows: Along the highroads I have caused fig trees to be planted that they may be for shade to animals and men... ...And let these and others the most skillful in the sacred offices discreetly and respectfully use their most persuasive efforts, acting on the heart and eyes of the children, to impart enthusiasm and instruction in the dharma (religion). And whatsoever benevolent acts have been done by me,
2150-439: Was Rajab (the younger brother of Ghazi Malik ) who had the title Sipahsalar . His mother Naila, a Hindu woman, was the daughter of Raja Mal from a concubine of Dipalpur which is now in the Punjab region of Pakistan. We know of Firuz Shah Tughlaq in part through his 32-page autobiography, titled Futuhat-i- Firuz Shahi . He was 42 when he became Sultan of Delhi in 1351. He ruled until 1388. At his succession, after
2200-409: Was a Salafi Muslim who tried to uphold the laws of Islam and adopted Sharia policies. He made a number of important concessions to theologians. He tried to ban practices that the orthodox theologians considered un-Islamic, an example being his prohibition of the practice of Muslim women going out to worship at the graves of saints . He persecuted a number of sects that were considered heretical by
2250-434: Was available about his whereabouts Maqbul ably protected Delhi. He was the most highly favoured among the significant number of the nobles in Tughlaq's court and retained the trust of the sultan. Sultan Firuz Shah Tughlaq used to call Maqbul as 'brother'. The sultan remarked that Khan-i-Jahan (Malik Maqbul) was the real ruler of Delhi. Hindu religious works were translated from Sanskrit to Persian and Arabic . He had
2300-434: Was available about his whereabouts Maqbul ably protected Delhi. He was the most highly favoured among the significant number of the nobles in Tughlaq's court and retained the trust of the sultan. Sultan Firuz Shah Tughlaq used to call Maqbul as 'brother'. The sultan remarked that Khan-i-Jahan (Malik Maqbul) was the real ruler of Delhi. Hindu religious works were translated from Sanskrit to Persian and Arabic . He had
2350-675: Was neglected for a century up till 1838 when after the Revolt of 1857 Raja Hindu Rao took charge to transfer the Ashokan Pillar's broken pieces to Kolkata's Asiatic Society . Within a year, the structure was put together and re-established. Both the Ashokan Pillars were carefully wrapped with cotton silk and were kept on a bed of reed made of raw silk. These were hence transported on a massive carriage attached with 42 wheels and drawn meticulously by 200 men from their original places to Delhi by Feroz Shah Tughlaq to avoid any damage during
2400-702: Was struck by lightning in 1368 AD, knocking off its top storey, he replaced them with the existing two floors, faced with red sandstone and white marble. One of his hunting lodges, Shikargah, also known as Kushak Mahal, is situated within the Teen Murti Bhavan complex, Delhi. The nearby Kushak Road is named after it, as is the Tughlaq Road further on. His eldest son, Fateh Khan, died in 1376. He then abdicated in August 1387 and made his other son, Prince Muhammad, king. A slave rebellion forced him to confer
2450-521: Was struck by lightning in 1368 AD, knocking off its top storey, he replaced them with the existing two floors, faced with red sandstone and white marble. One of his hunting lodges, Shikargah, also known as Kushak Mahal, is situated within the Teen Murti Bhavan complex, Delhi. The nearby Kushak Road is named after it, as is the Tughlaq Road further on. His eldest son, Fateh Khan, died in 1376. He then abdicated in August 1387 and made his other son, Prince Muhammad, king. A slave rebellion forced him to confer
2500-412: Was the 19th sultan of Delhi from 1351 to 1388. A Muslim ruler from the Tughlaq dynasty , He succeeded his cousin Muhammad bin Tughlaq following the latter's death at Thatta in Sindh , where Muhammad bin Tughlaq had gone in pursuit of Taghi the rebellious Muslim governor of Gujarat . For the first time in the history of the Sultanate, a situation was confronted wherein nobody was ready to accept
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