Tomb of Balban

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}}

{{Use Indian English|date=November 2018}}

{{Coord|28|31|10|N|77|11|19|E|display=title}}

File:Balban's tomb, Mehrauli.jpg]]

The Tomb of Ghiyas ud din Balban is located in Mehrauli Archaeological Park, Mehrauli, southern part of New Delhi, India. Built in circa 1287 CE in rubble masonry, the tomb is a building of historical importance in the development of Indo-Islamic architecture, as it was here that first Islamic arch made its appearance in India,Delhi and its neighbourhood, by Y. D. Sharma. Published by Director General, Archaeological Survey of India, 1974. Page 20.[https://books.google.com/books?id=Ee1HTcplZS0C&dq=balban%27s+tomb&pg=PA128 Balban's Tomb] Delhi, by Patrick Horton, Richard Plunkett, Hugh Finlay. Published by Lonely Planet, 2002. {{ISBN|1-86450-297-5}}. Page 128. and according to many, the first Islamic dome as well, which however hasn't survived,{{cite news |last1=Datta |first1=Rangan |title=Mehrauli Archaeological Park has monuments from pre-Islamic days to late-Mughal period |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/places/mehrauli-archaeological-park-the-site-for-monuments-spanning-from-pre-islamic-days-to-late-mughal-period/cid/2035729 |access-date=6 September 2024 |agency=My Kolkata |publisher=The Telegraph |date=23 July 2024}} making Alai Darwaza built in 1311 CE, in the nearby Qutb complex, the earliest surviving dome in India.{{cite web |title=Discover new treasures around Qutab |url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/03/28/stories/2006032801530200.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070810081618/http://www.hindu.com/2006/03/28/stories/2006032801530200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 August 2007 |date=28 March 2006 |newspaper=The Hindu |accessdate=14 August 2009}} Ghiyas ud din Balban (1200–1287) was a Turkic ruler of the Delhi Sultanate during the rule of Mamluk dynasty of Delhi (or Slave dynasty) from 1266 to 1287. He was one of the most prominent rulers of the Slave Dynasty. The tomb of Balban was discovered in the mid-20th century.

Overview

It is an imposing stone and masonry building, though lacking the splendid ornamentation to be seen in the tomb of his master, Iltutmish. The tomb is surrounded by the ruins of an extensive late-medieval settlement and it offers, from certain angles, a remarkable view of the Qutub Minar. To the east of Balban's tomb, lies a ruined rectangular structure said to be the grave of Khan Shahid, Balban's son, whose original name was Muhammad, who died fighting against the Mongols near Multan in 1285.

Gallery

File:Graveyard of Balban ,Mehrauli Archaeological Park,New Delhi,India.jpg|Grave of Balban's son

File:Tomb of Balban,Mehrauli Archaeological Park,New Delhi,India.jpg|Tomb of Balban, Mehrauli -(As on 28-09-2016)

File:Ruins of tomb of Balban,Mehrauli Archaeological Park,New Delhi,India.jpg|Ruins of tomb of Balban-(As on 28-09-2016)

File:Ruins of the tomb of Balban,Mehrauli Archaeological Park,New Delhi,India.jpg|Ruins of structure adjoining the tomb of Balban

File:Entrance to Tomb of Khan Shahid, Mehrauli.jpg|Entrance to Tomb of Khan Shahid, Mehrauli

File:Tomb of Khan Shahid, Balban's son, Mehrauli.jpg|Tomb of Khan1 Shahid, Balban's son, Mehrauli

File:Grave in Balban's tomb enclosure.jpg|Grave in Balban's tomb enclosure, Mehrauli

References

{{Reflist}}