A thread on the dangers being faced by a 15th century dargah in Delhi's Sheikh Sarai area.
A message from a local that this non ticketed monument is being used as a park for playing cricket, cards and general adda baazi took me there last week.
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In 2016 I had visited this dargah for my book The Forgotten Cities of Delhi and written:
"This dargah is by far the prettiest I have seen. It’s like a vermillion-mark of spirituality on the surrounding area. Though very small, it is exquisite and very well preserved."
Photo 2016
Sheikh Yusuf Qattal was a disciple of Qazi Jalaluddin Lahori & came from Lahore to Delhi.
This tomb with attached mosque was built by
Hazrat Sheikh Alauddin, the grandson of Baba Farid Ganj e Shakkar for Sheikh Yusuf Qattal in the reign of Sultan Sikander Lodi in 1497 AD.
It has a small dome, measuring 18 feet 2 square inches, supported by twelve pillars, which are filled in between by pierced exquisite stone screens with geometric designs while the pavilion and lattice screens are of red sandstone with a lime mortar dome.
A small unused mosque stands closeby. It is in a shabby condition. Being made worse as it's a non ticketed space for use by locals as they deem fit
There are ruins of a building at the entrance, which may have been a khanqah or madarsa. It must have been very elegant and attractive when it was built.
The cricket balls have already claimed one screen as a victim.
If we don't wake up and spread awareness or take care it won't be long before this so far well preserved tomb becomes a ruin.
My job as a chronicler of Delhi's monuments which I have recorded for posterity in #delhitrilogy published by @HarperCollinsIN is to create awareness about what we stand to lose
The elderly locals revere him as Dada Pir & make offerings on Thurs.
We have to sensitise youngsters
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