Exploring the History of the Last Mughal Monument in Delhi

<strong>Centre for Historical Studies School of Social Sciences</strong> a Lecture <strong>Zafar Mahal Exploring the History of the Last Mughal Monument in Delhi</strong> <strong>Amita Paliwal</strong> Jesus and Mary College, University of Delhi <strong>16th September 2015</strong> Mahrauli is of worldwide historical interest owing to the presence of the QutubMinar and the ruins of Qila Rai Pithora. It is located in the south-west district of Delhi with Hauz Khas to its north. Mahrauli is distinguished by its unique and rich past. The Palam Baoli inscription of Sultan Balban's period has references to Delhi as 'Sri Yoginipura' and also of the contemporary Turkish rulers of Delhi from Shahabuddin to Balban. Delhi at that point of time was confined to the geographical area of Mehrauli, and it was only after Balban that the territory expanded towards north, hence the emergence of new cities like Kilokhri, Siri, Tughlaqabad, Jahanpanah, Firuzabad and later Shahjahanabad. Whereas in the seventeenth century, the wealthy Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal, and followed it up with the Qila i Mualla (Red Fort), the Jama Masjid and the city of Shahjahanabad in Delhi, the last Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah II could barely manage the funds for a retreat away from the crowded Shahjahanabad. Shortage of funds led Bahadur Shah II to simply add on to the existing palace built by his predecessor Akbar II. The palace, which is the last Mughal building used as a summer retreat, is ZafarMahal. In the bustling alleys of Mahrauli, people have no time for Zafar or this lesser known monument next door. Late Dr Visalakshi Menon along with Professor Nalini Thakur decided to study this much neglected monument in a project involving students of Jesus and Mary College and me as one of the coordinators. Dr. Menon's ill health followed by her sudden demise hampered the research. This is an attempt to complete the project and dedicate it to our beloved Dr. Menon. Amita Paliwal did her research on Sind in the Mughal Empire (1591-1740). She was awarded Professor J.S. Grewal prize for the best paper in Medieval Indian Section of the Indian History Congress. Dr Paliwal has been a Teen Murti House Fellow and is presently Assistant Professor in the Department of History, Jesus &amp; Mary College, DU. Her major interest is in regions under Empires, and recently she is working on lesser known monuments of Delhi.