01-14-2005, 01:36 AM
Ashish Talwar in Pioneer, 13 Jan., 2005....
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Ashish Talwar
<b>Inside the Purana Qila, to the south of the Qala-i-Kuhna Masjid lies a double storeyed octagonal tower of red sandstone relieved by marble. Known as Sher Mandal, this monument is surmounted by an octagonal pavilion or chhatri. </b>It has a recessed arch in each of its sides. The second storey has a cruciform central chamber with recesses on its four sides. Its interior is decorated with glazed tiles and painted plaster-work.
What purpose did this unique building serve is not known. It may have been built by Sher Shah as a pleasure resort or it may have been used a library by Humayun. Humayun had built Dinapanah at the site of the present Purana Qila. Sher Shah Suri, after chasing Humayun out of India had built the Purana Qila. After Humayun retook Delhi, once again shifted into the Purana Qila which was once again named Dinapanah. <b>In fact, the excavations at the Purana Qila apart from producing continuing levels from around 1000 BC to the Rajput period around 1000 AD, have also yielded evidence of occupation during the Sultanate rule. During the Sultanate period, rubble and brickbats were used for ordinary houses. Glazed ware both of Central Asian affinities and local manufacture have been found. Coins of Balban's and Muhammad bin Tughluq have turned up at these levels.</b>
Some fascinating objects of the Early Mughal Period have also been found from a refuse dump of discarded broken household objects. Included are jars of eggshell thin grey ware, glazed ware dishes and painted Chinese porcelain. One of these porcelain pieces has the Chinese inscription - Made in the Great Ming Dynasty of the Cheng Hua era (1465-1487). Another piece has an inscription of a fairy tale in Chinese verse. Other objects include wine bottles of glass, a gold earring inlaid with emerald and pearls and coins of Adil Shah Sur.
While the fact whether the Sher Mandal was Humayun's library or not is uncertain, accounts of the accident resulting in Humayun's death are well recorded. <b>While descending the steep steps of his library at Dinapanah, Humayun slipped and rolled down the stairs, falling headlong on the ground. </b>Blood came out of his nose and ears. After remaining unconscious for two days, he breathed his last on 26 January 1556.
For 17 days, Humayun's death was kept a closely guarded secret as there was fear of uprisings. <b>During these days, one Mulla Bakshi, dressed in royal clothes, daily appeared on the palace balcony to acknowledge the population's customary greetings. </b>The proclamation of death was made only when detachments of the army had been placed at all strategic points to deal effectively with any likely insurrection. Along with the proclamation, it was simultaneously was announced that Akbar had ascended the throne and all was quiet throughout the length and breadth of the empire.
Akbar ascended the throne on February 14, 1556, at Kalanaur. Some Afghan governors of principalities who were also relatives of Sher Shah aspired to seize the vacant throne. <b>Humayun's accidental death could have sounded the death-knell for Mughal rule in India but Akbar's luck and the courage of the loyal Bairam Khan ensured that Akbar was firmly established as Emperor of India.</b>
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<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Sher Mandal
Ashish Talwar
<b>Inside the Purana Qila, to the south of the Qala-i-Kuhna Masjid lies a double storeyed octagonal tower of red sandstone relieved by marble. Known as Sher Mandal, this monument is surmounted by an octagonal pavilion or chhatri. </b>It has a recessed arch in each of its sides. The second storey has a cruciform central chamber with recesses on its four sides. Its interior is decorated with glazed tiles and painted plaster-work.
What purpose did this unique building serve is not known. It may have been built by Sher Shah as a pleasure resort or it may have been used a library by Humayun. Humayun had built Dinapanah at the site of the present Purana Qila. Sher Shah Suri, after chasing Humayun out of India had built the Purana Qila. After Humayun retook Delhi, once again shifted into the Purana Qila which was once again named Dinapanah. <b>In fact, the excavations at the Purana Qila apart from producing continuing levels from around 1000 BC to the Rajput period around 1000 AD, have also yielded evidence of occupation during the Sultanate rule. During the Sultanate period, rubble and brickbats were used for ordinary houses. Glazed ware both of Central Asian affinities and local manufacture have been found. Coins of Balban's and Muhammad bin Tughluq have turned up at these levels.</b>
Some fascinating objects of the Early Mughal Period have also been found from a refuse dump of discarded broken household objects. Included are jars of eggshell thin grey ware, glazed ware dishes and painted Chinese porcelain. One of these porcelain pieces has the Chinese inscription - Made in the Great Ming Dynasty of the Cheng Hua era (1465-1487). Another piece has an inscription of a fairy tale in Chinese verse. Other objects include wine bottles of glass, a gold earring inlaid with emerald and pearls and coins of Adil Shah Sur.
While the fact whether the Sher Mandal was Humayun's library or not is uncertain, accounts of the accident resulting in Humayun's death are well recorded. <b>While descending the steep steps of his library at Dinapanah, Humayun slipped and rolled down the stairs, falling headlong on the ground. </b>Blood came out of his nose and ears. After remaining unconscious for two days, he breathed his last on 26 January 1556.
For 17 days, Humayun's death was kept a closely guarded secret as there was fear of uprisings. <b>During these days, one Mulla Bakshi, dressed in royal clothes, daily appeared on the palace balcony to acknowledge the population's customary greetings. </b>The proclamation of death was made only when detachments of the army had been placed at all strategic points to deal effectively with any likely insurrection. Along with the proclamation, it was simultaneously was announced that Akbar had ascended the throne and all was quiet throughout the length and breadth of the empire.
Akbar ascended the throne on February 14, 1556, at Kalanaur. Some Afghan governors of principalities who were also relatives of Sher Shah aspired to seize the vacant throne. <b>Humayun's accidental death could have sounded the death-knell for Mughal rule in India but Akbar's luck and the courage of the loyal Bairam Khan ensured that Akbar was firmly established as Emperor of India.</b>
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