Dienstag, 2. Oktober 2012

Gandhi's birthday

02.10.2012

Today is a national holiday in India, because it is Mahatma Gandhi's birthday.
Alex, Svana and I meet Rishu, who lives in Delhi. He is Svana's acquaintance. Rishu and some friends show us around in Delhi today.

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Every day a new experience - Today we are using the Metro.


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Where do we have to get out?


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At Hauz Khas


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Rishu and Shishir guide us around the Qutb Minar.


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Qutb Minar, the tallest stone tower in India was conceived by Qutbud-Din Aibak (1192 - 1210) as a tower of victory attached to Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque. Qutbud-Din completed the first stores while the secound, third and fourth were completed by his successor Iltutmish (1211 - 1236). When it was damaged by lighning in 1326 and 1368, the fourth storey was dismantled and reconstructed by Firuz Tughlug (1351 - 1388) with an additional storey, making it a five stories structure. Later on in 1503 Sikandar Lodi (1489 -1517) also carried out stone restorations in the upper stories.
With a height of 238 ft and 379 steps, although it is the highest stone tower in India, it would be a pleasant surprise to know that its height is 5 ft less than that of the Taj Mahal (243 ft).
The lowest storey with alternate angular and circular flutings, the secound with round ones and the third with angular ones only, keeping through-out the same alignment, gives a pleasing vertical look to the Minar. The projection balconies with beautiful stalactite pendentives and its tiny alcoves further heightens its pleasing effect. The decorative inscriptional bands defines each storey with its undulating curves. It has a diameter of 46 ft at the base and about 9 ft at the top.

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The letters of the whole Koran are written on the buildings.


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When you are able to surround this pole with your arms behind your back,
it means that you are lucky! To bad we can't try.


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Svana, Alex and I


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Tomb


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Alai Minar

The unfinished minar is named after Ala-ud-Din Khalji (1296 - 1316) who had doubled the size of construction of another minar, twice the size of Qutub Minar, so as to be proportionate with the enlarged mosque but because of his death the construction of the tower could not be completed. The extant height of the tower is 24.5 meters. It is evident that the architect intended to face the present rubble masonry core with dressed stone or some other better finished material.
Amir Khusru in Tarikh-I-Alai mentions about the intentions of Alaudin Khalji to increase the area of the mosque and construction of another minar.

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Rishu and Svana


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For lunch we go to the mensa at the campus where Rishu and Shishir studied.


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The school of languages was Rishu's faculty.


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Now we are visiting the Hauz Khas Complex.


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The Hauz Khas Complex borders the tank known originally as the Hauz-e-Alai, which was constructed during the reign of Alaunddin Khalji (ruled 1296 - 1316). It lay somewhat to the west of Alauddin's newly fortified city of Siri. The water was collected in it mainly during the rainy season and was then used throughout the year by the people in the neighbourhood. In the years after Alauddin, lack of maintenance led to silting up of the channels that fed the tank, and it dried up. During the reign of Feroz Shah Tughlaq (ruled 1351 - 1388) the water supply system to the tank was restored. The tank then came to be known as the Hauz-Khas or Royal Tank.
At the same time Feroz Shah also built the Madrasa-e-Feroz Shahi around the south-western edge of the tank. This was an institution of higher education and was endowed by the emperor himself. Its reputation as a premier centre of learning was enhanced because it employed teachers who were scholars of note. It attracted students from far and wide, and they were given generous stipends for the time they were in the college.
The importance of the site was also evident from the fact that Feroz Shah chose this place to build his own tomb at a focal point in the complex. The college buildings were arranged in an L-shape around the south-eastern corner of the Hauz Khas, giving the rooms a good view over the expanse of water. The connection between the buildings and the tank were strengthened by the several sets of steps leading down from the college to the tank. On the other side, the buildings were edged by a beautiful garden. Fourteenth century visitors invariably described the buildings and their setting in glowing terms.

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Shishir, Alex, I, Svana and Rishu


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We are enjoying the view.


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Feroz Shah's tomb


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Indian brooms


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After the sightseeing we relax in the café out of the box.


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There we have a nice view at the Hauz Khas.


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Yellow Paper Wasp
Ropalidia romandi


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Smoking Shisha


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Svana and Rishu


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Alex in thinking position


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For dinner we are going to a place called Secular House.
Rishu and Biki and all the others are enjoying the delicious indian food!


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Chilli potatos


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Roti filled with garlic


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Later Biki gives Svana and me a ride on his motorbike!


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I am allowed to drive too!


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Indian life is amazing!

More from Delhi we will see tomorrow.

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