Indo Islamic Heritage
Chor Minar, also known as the 'Tower of Thieves,' is a remarkable 13th-century minaret with 225 holes, located just off Aurobindo Marg in the Hauz Khas area of New Delhi. This historic structure, estimated to be around 700 to 800 years old, holds significant architectural and cultural value. Interestingly, a similar structure is also found near the Dhosi Hills in Narnaul, Haryana, approximately 120 kilometers from Delhi. The Nearest Bus Stand - Panchsheel Club, The Nearest Metro Station - Hauz Khas, Nearest Railway Station- Nizamuddin Railway Station Railway Station Nearest Airport- IGI
Chor Minar, also known as the 'Tower of Thieves,' is a 13th-century historical minaret located near Aurobindo Marg in the Hauz Khas area of New Delhi. This striking structure, estimated to be around 700 to 800 years old, features 225 holes and serves as a testament to the architectural ingenuity and societal practices of its time. A similar structure is also situated near the Dhosi Hills in Narnaul, Haryana, approximately 120 kilometers from Delhi, further linking the history of the region. Chor Minar was constructed during the reign of Alauddin Khalji, the ruler of the Khalji dynasty from 1290 to 1320, a period marked by his efforts to consolidate power and repel foreign invasions. Historians suggest that the Khalji king orchestrated the slaughter of a settlement of Mongol people near Delhi to prevent them from joining forces with another Mongol settlement, now the locality of Mongolpuri in Delhi. The tower, along with others built in the Siri area, is believed to have served as a grim display of Khalji's military dominance. For instance, during the raid of Ali Beg, Tartaq, and Targhi in 1305, nearly 8,000 Mongol prisoners were executed, with their severed heads displayed prominently on structures like Chor Minar. Local legends further elaborate on the minaret's macabre purpose. It is said to have functioned as a 'tower of beheading,' where the severed heads of thieves were impaled on spears and displayed through its 225 holes as a stark warning against criminal activities. In cases where the number of executed individuals exceeded the available holes, the remaining heads were allegedly arranged in a pyramid at the tower's base. This chilling practice symbolized law enforcement under the Khalji regime and served to deter potential wrongdoers. The Chor Minar thus stands not only as an architectural relic but also as a reminder of the harsh punitive measures employed during medieval times.
Year of Built: 13th Century
Address: 2, Chor Minar Rd, Kaushalya Park, Kausalya Park, Block L, Padmini Enclave, Hauz Khas, New Delhi, Delhi
Country: India
State: Delhi
District: South Delhi
Pincode: 110016
Longitude: 77.2056
Latitude: 28.5477