Hastsal Minar

About Hastsal Minar

• Location: It is located in a small village of western Delhi.
• Construction of the minar (or tower) was finished in 1634 during the reign of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan.
• It is also known as Mini Qutab Minar.
• Among the locals, it is also known as Hastsal Ki Laat and Kaushal Minar.
• Architecture
  • It was constructed using lakhori bricks and clad with red sandstone.
  • The minar is 17 metres (five storeys) tall, standing on a square platform and with an octagonal body.
  • A staircase inside the five-storey tower led to the domed Chhatri pavilion at the top. 
  • It has three storeys, each with a reducing diameter, and is accessible through a narrow staircase
• Shah Jahan utilised Hastsal as one of his hunting lodges during the 17th century.
• Present condition:
  • In 2018, the minaret was deemed as Grade A in heritage value and was given the permission to be conserved under Phase IV of Delhi government’s project to protect lesser-known monuments in the capital.

Q1) What are Lakhori bricks ?

These are also known as Badshahi bricks, Kakaiya bricks, Lakhauri bricks which are flat, thin, red burnt-clay bricks, originating from the Indian subcontinent that became an increasingly popular element of Mughal architecture during Shah Jahan, and remained so till early 20th century.

Source: Hastsal Minar: Shrouded in mystery, a Mughal-era symbol of glory now a picture of neglect