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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London, Nov 22: A bomb disposal squad deployed as a “precaution” to the South Terminal of Gatwick Airport concluded an investigation into a "security incident" on Friday after making a “suspect package” safe.
The South Terminal of Gatwick Airport, the UK's second busiest airport after Heathrow, which was briefly shut owing to the incident reopened following the incident.
The Gatwick is around 45 km south of London.
Two people detained during the enquiries have since been allowed to continue their journey as the airport was opened.
“Police have concluded their investigation into a report of a suspect package at Gatwick Airport. Officers from the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team made the package safe, and the airport has been handed back to its operator,” Sussex Police said in an updated statement.
“Two people detained while enquiries were ongoing have subsequently been allowed to continue their journeys. There will remain an increased police presence in the area to assist with passengers accessing the South Terminal for onward travel,” the statement added.
Earlier on Friday, the incident caused severe disruption at the busy airport’s South Terminal, while the North Terminal of Gatwick Airport remained unaffected.
“Police were called to the South Terminal at Gatwick Airport at 8.20 am on Friday (November 22) following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage,” a Sussex Police statement said.
“To ensure the safety of the public, staff and other airport users, a security cordon has been put in place whilst the matter is dealt with. As a precaution, an EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team is being deployed to the airport. This is causing significant disruption and some roads around the South Terminal have been closed. We’d advise the public to avoid the area where possible,” it said.
Footage on social media taken outside the airport showed crowds of frustrated travellers being moved away from the terminal building.
Gatwick said it was working hard to resolve the issue.
“A large part of the South Terminal has been evacuated as a precaution while we continue to investigate a security incident," the airport said in a social media post.
“Passengers will not be able to enter the South Terminal while this is ongoing. The safety and security of our passengers and staff remain our top priority. We are working hard to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.”
Train and bus services that serve the airport were also impacted while the police carried out their inquiries.
In an unrelated incident in south London on Friday morning, the US Embassy area in Nine Elms by the River Thames was the scene of a controlled explosion by Scotland Yard dealing with what they believe may have been a “hoax device”.
“We can confirm the 'loud bang' reported in the area a short time ago was a controlled explosion carried out by officers,” the Metropolitan Police said in a post on X.
“Initial indications are that the item was a hoax device. An investigation will now follow. Some cordons will remain in place for the time being but the majority of the police response will now be stood down,” it added.
