You must have heard about the Char Minar of Hyderabad, the Qutub Minar of Delhi, have you heard the name of 'Chor Minar'?
Many rulers in history made Delhi the capital of the country as their capital. The climate of Delhi has seen many dynasties flourish and meet in the soil. Different architectural specimens are also seen in the historical buildings of Delhi. Some buildings testify to Shan-o-Shaukat (like Humayun's Tomb), some of cruelty and ruthlessness.
There is one such building in the middle of the running city, the name is Chor Minar. This tower, standing in R block of Hauz Khas residential area, is almost hidden from public view today. It is worth mentioning that once there was only the smell of death around this tower.
Chor Minar was built in the 13th century during the reign of Alauddin Khilji (1296 AD to 1316 AD).
Alauddin Khilji snatched the throne from Jaluddin Khilji and himself became Amir-e-Tuzuk. During the reign of Khilji, the Mongols were trying to enter India and capture the land of India. The Mongols reached the border of Delhi. The Delhi Sultanate defeated the Mongol army. It is said that 8000 Mongol soldiers were killed after the battle at Siri Fort in Amroha in 1305. Some Mongols were also killed on Chor Minar and their heads were hung from this tower.
Chor Minar used to testify to terror and fear. Chor Minar was built to scare thieves, dacoits, intruders. There were 225 holes in this tower and the heads of the dead were hung from each hole. There was a huge message to the general public that participating in wrong activities can lead to this fate.
This tower is not mentioned anywhere in the history and perhaps it was done deliberately. There is a similar minaret in Malda, West Bengal, from where the Mughal governor used to hang the rebels.
The bricks of Chor Minar are witness to hundreds of deaths. Today it is not felt when passing through this tower. This building is also one of the many unlucky buildings in history, which are alive but have lost their status.
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