imported>Gowhk8: removed Category:Towers in India using HotCat see WP:CATSPECIFIC.

2021-08-26T07:48:04Z

removed Category:Towers in India using HotCat see WP:CATSPECIFIC.

New page

{{Infobox ancient site
| name = Mini Qutub Minar
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| alternate_name = Chhota Qutub Minar, Mini Minar, Kaushal Minar, Hastsal-ki-Laat, Hashtsal Minaret
| image = File:Hashtsal Minar 10.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption =
| map =
| map_type = India
| map_alt =
| map_caption = Location in India
| map_size = 220
| altitude_m =
| altitude_ref =
| relief =
| coordinates = {{coord|28.634|N|77.053|E|display=inline,title}}
| gbgridref =
| map_dot_label = Hastsal
| location = [[Hastsal]], [[India]]
| region = [[West Delhi]]
| type = [[Minaret]]
| part_of =
| length =
| width =
| area =
| volume =
| diameter =
| circumference =
| height = 16.87 m (55 ft)
| builder = [[Mughal emperor]], [[Shah Jahan]]
| material = [[Bricks]], red [[sandstone]]
| built = 1650
| abandoned = Yes
| epochs = 
| cultures = [[Mughal culture|Mughal]]
| dependency_of =
| occupants =
| event =
| discovered =
| excavations =
| archaeologists =
| condition = Endangered
| ownership =
| management =
| public_access = Yes
| other_designation =
| website = 
| architectural_styles =
| architectural_details =
| notes =
}}

The '''Mini Qutub Minar'''<ref name="a2">{{cite web |title=A Qutub Minar that not many knew even existed |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/a-qutub-minar-that-not-many-knew-even-existed/articleshow/64640198.cms |website=timesofindia.indiatimes.com |accessdate=21 September 2018}}</ref><ref name="a5" /><ref name="a6">{{cite web |title=Delhi: Archaeology Department finally decides to look after Mini Qutub Minar |url=https://www.siasat.com/news/delhi-archaeology-department-finally-decides-look-after-mini-qutub-minar-1370516/ |website=siasat.com |accessdate=21 September 2018}}</ref> (''local:'' Chhota Qutub Minar,<ref name="a3">{{cite web |title=The Other Qutub: Shah Jahan’s Forgotten ‘Mini Minar’ to Be Restored by Delhi Govt! |url=https://www.thebetterindia.com/146509/news-qutub-minar-shah-jahan-delhi/ |website=thebetterindia.com |accessdate=21 September 2018}}</ref> Mini Minar,<ref name="a3" /> Kaushal Minar,<ref name="a3" /> Hastsal ki Laat) is a [[minaret]] tower in [[Hastsal]] village in [[Uttam Nagar]], [[West Delhi]], [[India]]. It was built in the 1650<ref name="a7" /> by [[Mughal emperor]], [[Shah Jahan]] (reign, 1628-1658) near his hunting lodge in Hasthal.<ref name="a2" /> The three storeyed tower is 16.87 meters (55 feet) tall and stands on a raised octagonal platform.<ref name="a5">{{cite web |title=Hastsal Minar: Capital’s ‘mini Qutub Minar’ may soon get a much-needed facelift |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/delhi-hastsal-minar-mini-qutub-minar-facelift-shah-jahan-5329941/ |website=indianexpress.com |accessdate=21 September 2018}}</ref> The minar is built with bricks and clad with red sandstone. The tower structure and design resembles the [[Qutub Minar]] of [[Delhi]] and was inspired by it.<ref name="a5" />

Originally, the Mini Qutub Minar was a 5 storeyed tower, topped out with a domed [[Chhatri]] pavilion at the top.<ref name="a2" /> It was used by emperor Shah Jahan for his entertainment after hunting in the all encompassing wilderness that used to surround this colossal Hastsal minaret and royal hunting lodge.<ref name="a8" /> The emperor's Shikargah or hunting lodge is situated a few hundred metres from the minaret tower.

The Mini Qutub Minar is a 'Grade A' listed, protected heritage monument with the Department of Archaeology, India.<ref name="a2" />

==History==
In the past, the Hastsal area where the Minar is located, used to be submerged in water and it used to be elephant's corridor and resting place. The origin of the area name ‘Hastsal' indicates this with '''haathi''' (elephant) and '''sthal''' (place).<ref name="a7">{{cite web |title=Standing not so tall |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/history-and-culture/Standing-not-so-tall/article16190560.ece |website=thehindu.com |accessdate=21 September 2018}}</ref>

In the early 17th century, [[Mughal emperor]], [[Shah Jahan]] used Hastsal as one of his hunting lodges. In 1650, he commissioned the construction of a tall [[minaret]] similar to Qutub Minar in Delhi. When completed, the Mini Qutub Minar was much higher than it is now. It was a tall 5 storey tower with an internal stairway leading to the domed [[Chhatri]] pavilion at the top. It was a gorgeous hunting pavilion tower in the center of an encompassing wilderness. The emperor rested in the tower top, royally-entertained with his immediate retinue after hunting in the surrounding wilderness.<ref name="a8">{{cite web |title=Kaushal Minar, Hastsal village, Delhi |url=http://pixels-memories.blogspot.com/2016/01/kaushal-minar-hastsal-village-delhi.html |website=pixels-memories.blogspot.com |accessdate=21 September 2018}}</ref>

Local legends claim there used to be a tunnel from the tower to the royal hunting lodge which lie a few hundred meters apart from each other.<ref name="a9">{{cite web |title=Apathy rots Shah Jahan-era tower, hunting lodge |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/delhi/report-apathy-rots-shah-jahan-era-tower-hunting-lodge-2475984 |website=dnaindia.com |accessdate=21 September 2018}}</ref><ref name="a5" />

The domed Chhatri pavilion and upper two storeys of the tower had collapsed in the 18th century.<ref name="a2" />

In recent history, [[Shah Jahan]]'s Mini Minar and his royal hunting lodge has laid abandoned and forgotten. It was left to crumble away and become completely surrounded by the urbanization that replaced the wilderness of [[Hastsal]] area.<ref name="a7" />

In the past, local kids were able to climb the tower using the internal stairway and play at the top but it is no longer allowed.<ref name="a5" />

==Architecture==
The Mini Qutub Minar structure is similar to [[Qutub Minar]] in [[Delhi]]. It originally consisted of five storeys, each with a reducing diameter. A narrow staircase built inside led to the top. Each storey is surrounded by an octagonal ring in the outside with red sandstone overhanging eves ([[Chhajja]]) like in the Qutub Minar. The minar is built using [[Lakhori bricks]].<ref name="a5" />

However, 20th-century historian Zafar Hasan who documented the tower disagrees with the tower once been five storeys high. He wrote, “Locally it is said that it originally consisted of five storeys and was crowned by a domed chhatri but the two topmost storeys subsequently disappeared...the statement that it was originally five-storeys high does not seem to be true, possibly it was topped by a [[chhatri]] which is not now existing”.<ref name="a5" />

==Threats==
The Mini Qutub Minar is engendered today due to decades of neglect and lack of conservation. It is in danger from both natural elements and the encroachment of new constructions that are taking place around the tower in Hastsal. The tower is today completely surrounded by haphazardly built houses, buildings and new constructions. New constructions have sprung up right up to the tower base.<ref name="a2" /><ref name="a3" />

The raised octagonal platform of Mini Qutub Minar used to have a lower platform. New constructions have encroached into the lower platform. The steps that lead up to the octagonal platform have disappeared. The only access way to the tower is by walking through a grimy half-meter wide lane that is surrounded in all sides by new constructions.<ref name="a2" /><ref name="a3" />

Few hundred meters away the Shajahan's historic royal hunting lodge (Shikargah) is facing the same situation. It also lay abandon, crumbling and completely encroached upon with new constructions.<ref name="a9" />

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

[[Category:Buildings and structures in Delhi]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Delhi]]
[[Category:Mughal architecture]]
[[Category:Minarets in India]]

Mini Qutub Minar - Revision history

imported>Gowhk8: removed Category:Towers in India using HotCat see WP:CATSPECIFIC.