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| Chauburja Mosque, Delhi ,artsandculture.google.com |
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| Chaburia Mosque, Delhi. flickr.com |
The historical Chaburia Mosque, a two-story building is in the Delhi Northern Ridge area. This place is believed to have been built by Feroz Shah Tughluq in the 14th Century. Located in a park the main Ridge road got its name because of the four-domed corner turrets which once stood upon the raised platform. The Moguls in the later period added few structures on to the building. This structure is characteristic of of rubble masonry and has a staircase at the western end to access the upper level. During Firoz Shah Tughlaq’s reign it happened to be a mausoleum,. At that point of time, the design of this structure is a unique one. A multi-chambered tomb is an unusual structure in those times, of course, with exceptions. With the passage of time and other factors, the east part was in a bad shape, however adequate restoration was done to retain the old heritage value. Still, the entire structure requires, repairs and restoration.
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| Kashmirigate in 1857 siege. en.wikipedia.org |
This structure is a silent spectator of the worst revolt against the English company that took place in 1857, often called ''the first war of Independence. (earlier name was ''Sepoy Mutiny''). The major rebellion by the Indian soldiers - both Hindus and Muslims began at the Meerut city Cantonment (MP) and snowballed into a hell bent-riot. The rebellion against the authority of the East India Company was on a mass scale covering much of Northern India, It was triggered by the sepoys of the units of the Army which the company had itself raised in its Bengal Presidency (which actually covered a vast area from Assam to Peshawar). The revolt against the atrocities of the English company also shook the British colonies, at one stage, it went out of control causing mayhem and murders. Unfortunately it led to mass killing by the British and, on the part of natives, they turned against the British civilians and killed them including women and children. During that tumultuous period in 1857, this structure was used as a picket and ammunition store by the East India Company's Army and the British, who escaped from the rampaging mob took shelter in this building.
Near this 14th century building lie a few other heritage structures like Flagstaff Tower, Khooni Khan Jheel and the remains of a 14th century baoli (step well).
https://www.flickr.com/photos/smitsandhir/8251472721/in/photostream/ : source INTACH
