Tomb of Iltutmish

Qutub Complex, Delhi, India
tomb of iltutmish, tomb of balban, dilkhusha

1. THE TOMB OF SULTAN SHAMS-UD-DIN ILTUTMISH

2. Sultan Iltutmish , credited for cementing the Turkish empire in India, died in 1235, due to high fever. Tomb of Iltutmish was  the first Islamic tomb in India Located outside the N-W corner of the Quwaat - ul -Islam Mosque. It’s a mausoleum with exquisite workmanship.

3. Square plan Arched entrance – eastern, southern and northern walls. Western side accommodates 3 prayer n iches called mihrabs . Made of red sandstone, measuring 44 sqft on outside and 30 sqft inside.   Ornate with delicate stonework on the inside . Beautifully carved Quranic inscriptions are used as ornamentation along with arabesque and floral motifs covering entire walls. There are no inscriptions on the tomb which credit it to Iltutmish , leading to doubts about the tomb’s identity. However, records and writings of contemporary and subsequent historians have confirmed that the tomb does indeed belong to Iltutmish .

4. TOMB OF BALBAN (1265-1286) Sultan Ghiyas - ud -din Balban was one of the most important sultans of slave dynasty. Died out of grief caused by death of his son. He was buried in Dar- ul - aman (house of safety). Situated near qutb complex. This building is more respected in history as an important institution than architectural project. Being an ancient monument, the Tomb is seen in a dilapidated state and in complete neglect.

5. Square in plan and rubble built. Originally adorned with tiles, some traces of which survived. Twice the size of I ltutmish’s tomb and has archway on each of its four sides. First use of true arch in India. Dome of tomb has fallen. Grave of red sandstone .

6. Dilkhusha (Heart’s Delight) Tomb of Muhammad Q uli Khan, the brother of Adham Khan, a minister in Akbar’s court. Sir Thomas Metcalfe, the British Resident at India converted the tomb into his country residence. He acquired the whole area including the nearby Qutub complex. The tomb, as it was before and is again now, is hexagonal in shape, with one ogee arch on each side.