Friday, March 11, 2011

The Shalamar Gardens

 One of the greatest pieces of architecture & a proof of the Mogul love for nature and aesthetics in the Indian subcontinent are the Shalamar gardens in Lahore. The gardens were built by the famous emperor Shah Jahan and are a declared UNESCO world heritage site. The gardens have numerous fountains & three terraces namely:
The upper terrace named Farah Baksh meaning Bestower of Pleasure.
The middle terrace named Faiz Baksh meaning Bestower of Goodness.
The lower terrace named Hayat Baksh meaning Bestower of life.


















Craftsmen at work.



The marble throne of Shalamar.




Monday, February 28, 2011

Tomb of Sultan Qutb-ud-din Aibak

Qutb-ud-din Aibak was the first Muslim Sultan of Hindustan (1206-1210 C.E), he served as a general in Muhammad Ghauri's army and on Ghauri's departure from the subcontinent he placed Qutb-ud-din as the Sultan.
Qutb-ud-din was a generous administrator, his generosity earned him the epithet of "Lakh Bakhsh Sultan" (The giver of a hundred thousand). The minaret he built in Delhi, Qutb Minar bears his name and stands firm as a testament to the glory of the dynasty that he founded. He was the founder of the Khandaan e Ghulamaan (The slave dynasty). The sultan died accidentally while playing Polo.
His tomb lies near the old Anarkali, close to the Urdu Bazaar, Lahore. The structure is relatively unknown and one has to ask around to find anyone who knows where it is. The building itself has been well preserved and is a simple but beautiful landmark.






Right across the street, a deserted temple