Arab Ki Sarai, the caravans of bygone era, restored to old glory in India
History tells us that Arabs went from place to place either for trade or propagation of Islam, or both, or for seeking knowledge. During these travels, they needed more frequent places of rest than the towns and villages could provide.
These ancient desert caravans used to stop at specially built inns called caravanserais (also called khans). Arabs also came to India for trade and they needed such inns on a regular basis.
There are no vestiges of such inns anywhere – except one in New Delhi called Arab Ki Sarai within the premise of Humayun’s Tomb Complex on Mathura Road, which was in a dilapidated state.
The sandstone necropolis of Mughal dynasty, the Humayun’s Tomb built in the 1560s, is one the finest specimen of Indo-Islamic architecture.
Restored to old glory
The Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC), which focuses on the physical, social, cultural and economic revitalization of communities in the developing world, has recently restored this Arab Ki Sarai to its pristine glory.
Just before restoration, the evocative gateway of a walled enclosure built in the 17th century by Hamida Banu Begum was one of few reminders of sturdy, walled roadside caravanserai compound that were in vogue in those bygone days.
Arab Ki Sarai now sports a fresh look having retained the old elements. (Supplied)
The lofty eastern gateway of a walled enclosure built in the 17th century – which was originally a market built during Jahangir’s reign alongside Arab Ki Sarai, Nizamuddin East – now sports a fresh look having retained the old elements.
Arab Ki Sarai has a central arch flanked by projecting balconies that are supported by carved brackets. This 13 meter-high, five-arched gateway, topped with battlements is two-bay deep. It also has chambers and a domed roof flanked by niches on both sides.
The spandrels are ornamented with detailed tile work and medallions bearing Quranic inscriptions. The niches were almost getting dismembered from the main structure and needed repair badly while the area was full of green moss and wild vegetation.
All these now been taken care of by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC), which began restoration work in January 2017.
Quranic inscriptions
According to Ujwala Menon, AKTC’s conservation architect, several cracks allowed water penetration resulting in dampness and salt deposits. “Quranic inscriptions got hidden under the layer of cement plaster, tiles were missing and portions of the roof of the gateway had collapsed,” says Memon.
Menon says sadly, not all of the artwork could be restored as evidence had been lost. “As a result, central ceiling medallion had to be left blank. Some of the newspaper articles dating back to 1960s suggest that its walls were adorned with paintings but that could not be restored,” she says.
The Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) has restored this Arab Ki Sarai to its pristine glory. (Supplied)
We learn from the pages of history that the high gateway that served as the southern entrance of the Arab Ki Serai – built to accommodate the 300 craftsmen whom Hamida Banu Begum, had brought with her on her return from pilgrimage to Mecca now adorn a graceful look after restoration.
These craftsmen were involved in the building of Humayun’s Garden-Tomb. Conservation works included conservation of the main wooden doorway, conservation of the stone façade, reconstruction of the partially collapsed entrance chamber, conservation of the chambers at ground floor.
Pages from history
Author Mirza Sangin Beg, writing in a Persian book Sair-ul-Manazil (Tulika Books) in the 1820s, refers this inn as “property of Arabs and other general populace.”
Author Ranjan Kumar Singh – in his book The Islamic Monuments of Delhi – writes that the Arab Ki Saraiconsists of a large enclosure adjoining the south-west corner of Humayun’s tomb. It is divided by two quadrangles by a series of cells provided with a gateway in the center.
Immediately outside its lofty eastern entrance approached by a gateway from the east, with traces of paintings on its underside, is the second quadrangle, originally bounded by arched cells, which is known as the mandi (market) which was added by Mir Banu Agha.
Courtesy: english.alarabiya.net
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Delhi: Father, son held for killing 19-year-old woman in suspected honour killing
New Delhi (PTI): The Delhi Police has arrested a man and his son for allegedly murdering his 19-year-old daughter in west Delhi's Hari Nagar area, an official said on Friday.
The case first came to light on April 1 after a PCR call was received around 2 pm, alleging that a woman had been killed by her family members and her body was being taken for last rites, he said.
The accused, identified as Mohammad Maneer (55), a vegetable vendor, and his son Meraj Ali (19), were arrested in connection with the case, the officer said.
The victim had been in a relationship with a man from her native place for the past two years, which was opposed by her father, Maneer and brother Meraj, he said.
"When the girl did not end the relationship despite objections, the family killed her," the officer said.
On April 1, the police said that when their team reached the spot, they found that the woman's body was being taken for burial.
Acting on the input, the burial process was stopped over suspicion of honour killing.
"Police intercepted the family members and took possession of the body," he said.
Police said that the man who had made the PCR told them that the woman was in love with his cousin.
During the inquiry, police also interacted with the PCR caller, who said his cousin, a friend of the deceased, had informed him about the situation and suspected foul play, prompting him to alert the police control room.
The body of the woman was subsequently shifted to the mortuary of Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital for preservation and postmortem.
Police said that both the crime team and the forensic science laboratory (FSL) team were called to inspect the scene and collect evidence.
Police said that, as per the postmortem report, the cause of death was identified as smothering, indicating that the woman was suffocated.
A preliminary inquiry also revealed that the family had initiated preparations for the last rites soon after the woman's death, raising suspicion about the circumstances.
Initial investigation pointed to the family's opposition to the woman's relationship.
"The family members of the woman saw her with the man, and she was taken back home. We got to know that she was beaten up and even locked inside the house for some days," a source said.
Further investigation into the matter is underway, police added.
